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Commission approves interstate mutual aid agreement with Big Horn County, Montana
Summary
Sheridan County approved a mutual aid agreement with Big Horn County (Mont.), allowing requests for personnel and equipment during emergencies; assistance is free for up to 12 hours, with cost negotiation thereafter and requires state attorney general approvals to be fully effective.
The commission considered and approved a mutual aid agreement with Big Horn County, Montana, intended to create a formal framework for requesting personnel, equipment and expertise across state lines during emergencies or large events that exceed local response capacity. Emergency Management staff said the agreement does not obligate counties to provide resources but allows a requesting county to ask for assistance; the assisting county retains supervisory authority over its personnel.
Staff explained assistance is provided at no cost for the first 12 hours of an incident; after that, reimbursement terms are negotiated between counties. The agreement outlines liability, insurance and workers’ compensation considerations and requires approval by state attorneys general before it becomes fully effective. Commissioners who had experience during past fires supported formalizing the arrangement.
