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County and municipal safety officials discuss mutual aid and coordination
Summary
Panels of county and municipal safety representatives told the Local Government Interim Committee about mutual-aid arrangements, training and staffing pressures, and operational gaps in communications and resource sharing. The discussion identified coordination successes and outstanding challenges; no policy votes were taken.
The committee held consecutive panels under House Joint Resolution 47 to examine cooperation among county and municipal safety entities.
County-level speakers including Jason Jarrett (Gallatin County/Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association), Scott Van Dyken (Cascade County undersheriff), Randy Okon (Missoula County deputy fire warden), and Rich Cowger (Columbus fire chief) described the Sheriff’s Mutual Aid Program, cross-jurisdictional training needs, and the logistical challenges of resource sharing across large rural areas.
Municipal leaders George Richards (Billings Fire), Brian Black (Great Falls Police), Greg Tryon (City of Belgrade assistant city manager) and Jordan Venezio (Kalispell police chief) discussed local mutual-aid arrangements, staffing and recruitment pressures, and the need for consistent interoperability with county systems.
Public comments from Rep. Steve Gist, Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Hurley, and union representative Nick Stinson focused on firefighter staffing and recruitment challenges.
Committee members asked about funding and training models to sustain mutual-aid arrangements; presenters emphasized that shared training and clearer regional planning can reduce response gaps. The committee did not adopt formal recommendations during the session; agencies and local officials identified areas for further collaboration.
