Evacuation Procedures

Should an evacuation of the area become necessary, the following guidelines and procedures will be used to help ensure a safe, orderly, and effective evacuation process.

1. If you have transportation problems, special needs or any assistance please notify the Sweet Grass County Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Kerry O'Connell at 932-3011, or the Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office at 932-5143. If the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated it will be in the Commissioners Office. The EOC phone number will be 932-3014 and is answered only if the EOC is activated.

2. Have a full tank of gas in your vehicle at all times.

3. Have personal items for a stay of several days ready to go.

4. Residents should prioritize their belongings in comparison to their ability to move out quickly. Obviously, everything you own cannot be taken to safety. You should think about, and perhaps even list the things that are most important to you in order of priority, and how much can be hauled in the family vehicles. You should consider special medications you or your family might need.

5. Fill out a form with you name, address, phone number, the location of a hidden key (if necessary to get into your house), and where you will be staying. Leave this message with officers manning check stations. Should you leave without passing through a check station, call the shelter contact regardless of whether you need shelter or not in the event of an evacuation. This will aid us in keeping track of evacuees should we need to contact them about any problems in protecting their property. You will be advised of the direction of evacuation at the time it is issued.

6. Residents will be given as much notice to evacuate as possible. No one can predict how much time there will be. It could range from less than one hour to several hours.

7. Residents should turn off gas and electricity to the house if possible and close up the house as they leave. Should you choose to lock your home, please include the location of the key for opening your house with your name and address info. In the event Firefighters need to enter to protect your home, this information will be necessary.

8. Residents will be kept up-to-date via news releases from the Sweet Grass County Emergency Operations Center and Information Officers assigned to the fire. A restricted emergency access permit may be issued by the Sheriff's Office allowing restricted conditional access at the Sheriff's discretion. For more information contact the Sheriff's Office at 932-5143.

When a threat exists warning will be given by:

1. Personal Contact;

2. Public Address System;

3. Telephone;

4. Intermittent Siren.

Residents will be advised of the source of the threat and evacuation route.

When evacuation is imminent, warning will be given by:

1. Steady Constant Siren;

2. Personal Contact;

3. Public Address System;

4. Telephone.

Residents will be advised of an evacuation route to take and a shelter contact.

Big Timber-Kerry O'Connell 932-3011
Red Cross-Claire Bryan (call Sheriff's Office)
Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office 932-5143