Meet and greet held for local county fire, law enforcement and EMS crews

New York Street in Chinook was lined with emergency vehicles, the Sweet Park was packed with firemen, EMT's, law enforcement officers and a few 'gawkers.' Normally the only time that many emergency responders would be together would be some sort of regional training event or a major catastrophe. Fortunately, this gathering was for fun, but also purposeful.

The event was a "meet and greet" organized by several local people involved with emergency services and law enforcement. Organizers described the get together as a way to let the various agencies get to know each other in a non-crisis and relaxed setting. Scott Gallus, a Chinook firefighter and part of the organizing committee, said, "Many of us randomly see each other but it's at a fire or accident scene. We organized this get together so everyone would have the opportunity to meet their counterparts in other agencies. It's always better if you at least recognize someone who shows up to help during a disaster or problem."

A gathering of many providers

Blaine County Sheriff Glenn Huestis said he's wanted to organize a meet and greet for some time. He explained, "Last year we invited all the county law enforcement people to a barbeque much like this. It was very successful and we got to meet a lot of new people we were likely to encounter in enforcement situations." Many of the groups represented have not only informal associations to help each other, some even have written "memoranda of understanding" that describe how an agency will help another group.

Scott Gallus listed the various agencies that were invited to attend. It ranged from local fire and law enforcement groups to state and federal agencies that provide certain types of emergency services or law enforcement to all or part of Blaine County. Groups as varied as the federal Border Patrol and Montana Highway Patrol were represented. The attendees wanted to get to know their counter parts, but there were also other reasons the service providers came to the meet and greet.

Brad Oen, with the Bureau of Land Management's Central Montana Zone, was part of a firefighting crew based seasonally in Zortman. Oen explained, "Our group in Zortman is responsible for wildfires on BLM land basically from Cleveland and south to the Missouri River but we also have a memorandum of understanding with Blaine County to help with other wildland fires. The only thing we can't provide firefighting aid is to a structure fire." Chinook's Fire Chief and Blaine County Fire Warden Kraig Hansen, added, "Because the BLM crew is located in Zortman, they often arrive at wildland fires to the south before our crews. They begin the work to control the fire, we join them when we arrive. Another big benefit is the BLM crew, since they are paid employees, can stay and monitor a fire, as long as necessary. Our crews are all volunteers and have to get back to jobs and other duties."

Frankie Fernandez, an EMT with the Fort Belknap ambulance crew, has worked in the area for about a year. He said he knew a few of the area ambulance crew members from regional training classes he'd attended. He added, "With the mutual aid agreements (where one agency helps another in an emergency) it's good to know some of the other folks we'll see when they come to help us or we go to help them with a problem."

Asked why it was important to have to the Border Patrol involved in the get together, a Blaine County law enforcement officer explained, "We see Border Patrol agents as we are headed to emergency situations, often in remote areas. They often stop and help us when we are dealing with a vehicle crash or problem, especially with traffic control. It's just helpful to know them and for them to know us." Clint Twombly, Supervising Agent for the Havre station, has been in Havre since 2003. He recalled, "The fact we knew a lot of local emergency personnel was very helpful when the tragedy involving Undersheriff Pat Pyette happened. We were very involved in helping local law enforcement during that event."

Blaine County Justice Court judge Perry Miller also attended the meet and greet. He works closely with local law enforcement agencies, particularly in traffic violations. Sergeant John Wickum, with the Havre post of the Montana Highway Patrol, said, "I came because we have a good working relationship with Judge Miller and part of my supervisory duties involve keeping in touch with local law enforcement and the courts."

It wasn't all about visiting and meeting colleagues, there were also horse-drawn wagon rides and many families spent part of the afternoon at the Chinook Swim Pool next to the park. Lt. John Colby, with the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, brought Robo, a working canine member of the department. Robo and Colby did some demonstrations to show guests how they search for hidden illegal drugs. Then, a fellow deputy donned a padded training suit for Robo to demonstrate how he can take down an uncooperative suspect. Colby noted, "Taking down an aggressor is one of Robo's favorite tasks."

Mid-afternoon a large portable grill was fired up and guests began to enjoy a barbeque with trimmings provided by everyone who came to the meet and greet. Sheriff Glenn Huestis said he was very pleased with the turnout, noting, "I saw a lot of mingling and visiting. That was the whole purpose of the event. I think it was very successful."

Steve Leitner, EMS crew chief for the Big Flat area, and his family were making the rounds to the small groups of people visiting. Leitner said, "I better take advantage of this opportunity to meet all these folks. You never know when they might show up to help in a pressure situation." It was clear that the guests saw the benefit, and need, to know their counterparts.