Neighborhood Networks - Become a Coordinator

Does your Neighborhood have a plan? The person most likely to save your life and home is you and your neighbor.

Learn how you can coordinate and implement a neighborhood plan that will enable your community to prepare and respond to fire, flood, earthquakes and other emergencies.

For information or questions, please call Community Outreach Coordinator Kandy Rose at 587-2090.

 Wildfire advice offered in Bozeman - Read Artical

Reprinted from KBZK

Wildfire advice offered in Bozeman


Public safety officials in the Gallatin Valley want to make sure that folks start preparing for the summer wildfire season now.

Officials say that people should have an evacuation plan in place. During a major fire the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office goes door to door, handing out evacuation warnings and orders.

The flyers tell you everything from what you should take with you to how to prepare your home. Law officers say they can't make people leave, but if you stay and aren't prepared, they say it could mean your life.

Hyalite Meadows resident Randy Larimer has lived in Gallatin County for nearly 25 years and knows that it's critical to be prepared.

"It's really about being self sufficient for an extended period of time."

Randy's part of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), that trains neighbors on where to go during a major fire.

In Gallatin County, local fire crews and the Sheriff's office have what's called the community wildfire protection plan which maps out safety areas and radio frequencies all over the county.

Each member of Randy's CERT team has a copy of the protection plans, and Randy also protects his home by putting asphalt shingles on his roof and leaving green space around his driveway.

"It helps us take the pressure off local emergency responders so they don't have to come and check our neighborhood" says Larimer.

The public can get a copy of the wildfire protection plan and evacuation flyers by calling any fire station or the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's office has some tips for pre-evacuation warnings. Folks should evacuate all family members, including pets who are not protecting your home; wear only cotton or wool clothes, including long pants, long sleeved shirt and boots. Folks should also carry gloves, a handkerchief to cover your face, water to drink and goggles.

When leaving a home, close all doors and windows, move overstuffed furniture to the center of the room, and soak rags, towels or small rugs with water to use in beating out embers or small fires.