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Fergus County approves updated emergency plan for Central Montana Fairgrounds
Summary
Fergus County commissioners approved an updated 2025 emergency plan for the Central Montana Fairgrounds that adds signage, a weather-threat matrix and closer coordination with the National Weather Service; staff said the plan is a "living document" to be reviewed after this year’s fair.
Fergus County commissioners on July 10 approved an updated emergency plan for the Central Montana Fairgrounds that officials say modernizes an incident response document last revised in 2010.
Presenter Steve O. said the update adds evacuation signage at restroom locations, gate numbering to help emergency responders, a threat matrix focused on likely hazards such as tornadoes, high winds and hail, and closer daily coordination with the National Weather Service. "We just wanted to get something rolled out here before the fair started to be able to work with," Steve O. said when describing the plan as a living document that staff will review after this year’s event.
The update also includes written scripts for the grandstand public-address announcer and distributes site maps to safety personnel, officials said, while noting the county’s sheriff’s department and local fire and EMS will continue to lead tactical response. Commissioners discussed possible gaps in PA coverage on the Midway and campground and identified PA expansion as a candidate for grant funding or a capital purchase.
A commissioner moved to approve the 2025 update to the Fairgrounds emergency plan; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition. Officials said the changes do not alter which agencies respond to incidents but are intended to improve communication and responder access during severe weather or other events.
Next steps described at the meeting include testing the plan during this fair season and making adjustments afterward based on operational experience.
