Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: Sept. 16, 2022
Media contact:
Patrick Lonergan, Chief of Gallatin County Emergency Management and Fire
406-548-0116
patrick@readygallatin.com

Gallatin, Madison Counties Sign Agreement to Consolidate Emergency Management Services in Big Sky Area

Gallatin and Madison counties recently entered into an interlocal agreement to consolidate emergency management, wildfire, and hazardous materials services under Gallatin County’s Emergency Management Program.

This new agreement creates a single agency responsible for all of the Big Sky community and reduce duplication of efforts. Gallatin County will manage the three programs across the Big Sky community, including the portion of Madison County that falls in the Big Sky Resort Area Tax District boundary.

Per the agreement, Gallatin County will assume the following responsibilities in this area of Madison County:

• Emergency Management
  • Mitigation
  • Preparedness
  • Response
  • Recovery

• Wildfire
  • Fire Warden and cooperative fire protection with Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)
  • County Rural Fire Chief
  • Open burning

• Hazardous Materials
  • Local Emergency Response Authority
  • Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act
  • Hazardous Materials Response Team

The goal of the agreement is to create more efficiencies while bringing consistency for these programs across the community without worrying where the county line is.

Similar arrangements are already in place for law enforcement, coroner, search and rescue, and 911 dispatch.

With all other public safety functions being provided by agencies in Gallatin County, this alignment will allow for easier and closer coordination across agencies for activities in the Madison County portion of Big Sky.

This also allows for the Gallatin County plans, processes and tools to be consistently applied across the entire Big Sky community regardless of the location. These are also the resources the emergency service agencies are already familiar with and using.

The community resources and tools available on readygallatin.com and through our staff will now apply to the whole community and establish a one-stop source for preparedness-related information.

In the event of a large scale incident in Big Sky, response coordination and recovery activities will no longer be split between the counties depending on your location.

Through the combined efforts between the counties, Gallatin County’s program will now have program staff focusing in the areas of operations, training, preparedness, mitigation and wildfire response who can provide a higher level of expertise across our program areas.

The entire agreement can be viewed here.

To learn more about Gallatin County Emergency Management and what this new inter-local means for the Big Sky Area, the public is welcome to a virtual discussion during Big Sky Community Week. The panel discussion will be on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 2-3 PM. Details on how to join can be found here.

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For immediate release: Sept. 15, 2022

Media contact:
Michelle Bossert, Interim Human Resources Director
406-582-3046
michelle.bossert@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Hosting Career Fairs on Sept. 21-22

 

Gallatin County is teaming up with Express Employment Professionals in Bozeman to host two career fairs highlighting the wonderful career opportunities county government has to offer.

Make a difference in your community working for a well-functioning county government, and receive an excellent benefits package too!

The career fairs will include pizza, snacks, fun swag, on-the-sot tours, and a chance to win Bridger Bowl ski passes!

The fairs will be:

• Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Gallatin County Courthouse (311 W. Main St. in Bozeman)
• Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Law and Justice Center (615 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman)

Both fairs run from 10 AM to 2 PM each day.

Gallatin County has over 100 job openings in departments ranging from 911 dispatch and the detention center, to the Gallatin Rest Home and Logan Landfill, and many more. All current job postings can be found at this link.

Job seekers who have questions about the upcoming career fairs can call or text Express Employment at 406-587-0388.

For immediate release: Sept. 13, 2022

Media contact:
Sandy Erhardt, Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
serhardt@mt.gov

 

Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office Temporarily Reducing Office Hours

Due to short staffing, the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office is temporarily reducing its office hours to enable staff to maintain current caseload.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 19, the office will be open to the public 8 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Friday. The office is located on the top floor of the Law and Justice Center at 615 S. 16^th Ave. in Bozeman.

Duties of the Clerk of District Court’s Office include keeping records for District Court, providing marriage licenses, keeping minutes for court proceedings, filing all actions for every case filed in District Court, and more.

While the office will be closed to the public in the afternoons, staff will be on hand through 5 PM each day.

“Our staff will use that time at the end of the day to get caught up and ensure we are maintaining the caseload in our office,” said Gallatin County Clerk of District Court Sandy Erhardt.

Like many employers across the county, the Clerk of Court’s Office is short staffed. The office has a total of 14 positions, but is currently down four people and will be losing two more employees by the end of the month.

“We are heading toward a crisis situation with low staffing,” Erhardt said.

A drop-box will be outside the office for filing. You may also email documents for filing to GallatinCountyDCFilings@mt.gov.

For emergency situations, please call 406-582-2171 or 406-582-2169.

The reduced public office hours will remain in place until more staff are hired in the office. We will keep the public updated.

For information on job openings within the Clerk of District Court’s Office, and all other county departments, please visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gallatinmt.

 

For immediate release: Sept. 12, 2022

The individual from the incident on Red Barn Drive on Sunday, Sept. 11 has been identified as 35-year-old Joshua John Holland of Belgrade.

This incident remains under investigation by the Montana Department of Justice as per protocol.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office wants to thank all nearby residents for their cooperation and understanding during this difficult time. We would also like to thank Josh’s family for their kindness and understanding.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contact the local Help Center for help and to be connected to resources.

Utilizing drones, shortly after 6:00 pm, the suspect was found to be deceased from a self inflicted gunshot wound. Those evacuated from their homes have now been allowed to return. We appreciate everyone’s patience throughout this event. Our thoughts are with the family during this very difficult time.

For media covering the ongoing incident in Landmark Subdivision in Belgrade, there will be a new contact for reporters.

The new GCSO Public Information Officer for the incident is Christine Koosman. Her cellphone is 406-589-7379. She is available by call or text.

For immediate release: Sept. 11, 2022

Residents who have been evacuated from their homes in the Landmark Subdivision and require retrieving medications or pets, or need a place to stay, can call our dispatch center to arrange access.

Evacuated residents can call 406-582-2100, option 2 to be connected to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office for assistance for things like retrieving medications or pets, or finding a place to stay while the evacuation is still in place.

We again thank residents for their patience during this ongoing situation.

For immediate release: Sept. 11, 2022

Law enforcement is currently working a situation involving a barricaded subject where shots were fired on Red Barn Drive in the Landmark Subdivision in Belgrade.

A shelter in place has been issued for those in the nearby area. Neighbors affected have been notified and law enforcement is working on evacuating those residences.

Red Barn Drive is closed between Harvester Lane and Stockton Way.

Please stay out of the area while this incident is ongoing. We appreciate the public’s patience as we work through this situation.

We will provide updates as soon as we can.

Agencies on scene include the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman Police Department, Belgrade Police Department, Manhattan Police Department, Central Valley Fire District, Gallatin County 911, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue, and Montana Highway Patrol.

Media: Please contact Whitney Bermes, GCSO Public Information Office, for information on where you can stage in the area. Call or text 406-595-8963.

 

PRESS RELEASE

North Cottonwood Rescue

On Thursday, September 1^st, 2022, at 5:30 p.m., Gallatin County Dispatch received a call from Park County for a lost person in the Fairy Lake area.  GCSO Deputies learned that about 10:00 a.m., two people were camping at the Fairly Lake Campground when one decided to take a ride on their dirtbike.  After becoming lost on some trails, and many hours of trying to find their way back, the lost party was able to contact the remaining camper who eventually called for help.

 

Once notified, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Valley Section was able to send a locator through their mapping system to get an exact location on the missing party. Based on this information, SAR teams deployed to the North Cottonwood Trailhead to hike to the area of the missing person. Two teams departed up the trail, one hasty team to reach the patient as quickly as possible, followed by a team with additional medical supplies and the one-wheeled litter.  Just after dark the hasty team made contact with the party and assessed the patient, who had sustained minor injuries, was dehydrated, and was suffering from exhaustion.

 

Rescuers provided medical aid and sustenance to the patient.  After a short recovery time the patient was able to hike under their own power 5 miles to the trailhead where they were reunited with their family.

 

Sheriff Dan Springer reminds backcountry users to use caution when in the backcountry.  Make sure to tell people where you are going and when to expect you back.  Enjoy the backcountry with other people when possible and carry a means of communication with you.

 

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Lionhead ATV Crash

On August 26, 2022 at 7:37 pm, the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a call for an injured ATV rider who missed the trail and crashed near Junction 8 on the Lionhead Trail.  The injured party was bleeding from a lacerated leg and a tourniquet had been applied.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the West Yellowstone Section responded to the scene and treated the patient before transporting back to town. An ambulance from Hebgen Basin Fire Department received the patient, accessed and treated the injury, and transported to Air Idaho at the West Yellowstone Airport.  The patient was ultimately transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for further care.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that even a nice afternoon ride may not go as planned so take plenty of water, sun screen, a first aid kit, reliable communications and be prepared for any weather so you are prepared for an unexpected adventure.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.