Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Fire Response topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After‑action review: Emmons County fire response highlighted communications, training and equipment needs
Summary
County officials reviewed the recent large grass fire after an after‑action meeting and discussed communications problems, potential Black Hawk cost exposure and training for road department staff to cut fire breaks.
Commissioners heard a briefing on a recent large grass fire response and an after‑action review that identified communication problems, resource coordination issues and opportunities for training and mutual aid.
Officials said the most important operational shortcoming during the incident was communication interoperability across multiple agencies and radio systems. The after‑action report noted competing radio bands and stressed the value of a common command post that can bridge different radios. County, volunteer and state responders also discussed logistics, staging and the challenge of accessing remote terrain with heavy equipment.
The review covered costs and aid: county staff said an emergency request for a Black Hawk helicopter was made and that final reconciled costs are still under review; a preliminary estimate for the helicopter response could be as much as $32,000 and may be subject to cost‑share or state review. County counsel has the after‑action file for legal review and to determine if any cost recovery or billing is applicable.
Training and next steps: Commissioners asked county highway staff to evaluate training county road crews on fire‑line work (creating machine‑made fire breaks with blades and discs) and to clarify liability and coverage — participants agreed that any county employees helping with fire suppression work should be covered by appropriate training and authority, preferably as part of volunteer fire department rosters where possible. The commission also directed staff to pursue equipment and communications training and to work with neighboring jurisdictions to refine joint response plans.
