Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Search And Rescue topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel urges state attention to search-and-rescue funding and coordination (HJR 56)
Summary
Search-and-rescue leaders and emergency-management officials told lawmakers that Montana SAR teams face resource shortfalls and coordination challenges and asked for dedicated funding or grant mechanisms under HJR 56.
A panel of search-and-rescue (SAR) leaders and emergency-management officials told the Law and Justice Interim Committee that SAR teams need more stable funding and better interagency coordination.
Jake Ganieany, bureau chief for Disaster and Emergency Services at the Department of Military Affairs, and county SAR leaders including Capt. Matt Boxmeyer (Gallatin County), Ty Williams (Stillwater County), and Brad Belke (Butte-Silver Bow) described equipment, training and volunteer-retention challenges. Justin Kambic of the Department of Justice flagged coordination issues with missing-persons investigations and task-force support.
Speakers urged the committee to consider targeted funding mechanisms, such as a dedicated SAR fund or grant program, and to clarify reimbursement rules for volunteer teams. Committee members and presenters discussed whether funding should be formula-based or competitive and how to ensure rural teams could access grants.
Public commenters including Josh Butterfly (Prayer Warriors Tribal Council) and an MSPOA representative added perspectives on tribal coordination and local responder needs. The committee did not adopt any funding changes at the meeting but requested additional information to evaluate HJR 56.
