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SWEET GRASS COUNTY FIRST +RESPONDERS A publication of the Big Timber Pioneer, 2015 ON CALL Rod MacLean reflects on 24 “You make a years of life by what service you give” - Sheriff Dan Tronrud pgs. 6-7 TA H NK YOU: F IRE + AMBULANCE + DISPATCH + LAW ENFORCEMENT + SAR T GR WEE AS TIMBER V S S G OL OUNTY BI . C S SGSP H VEERAC E 1908 R E I C F I F F ’ S F O SA R FI T. MONTANA RE DEP 40 FIRST 2015 RESPONDERS +CONTENTS 3 Ambulance Hats off to local medical volunteers — from EMRs to paramedics 6-7 Words of thanks Area officials show appreciation for local emergency volunteers 15 Sheriff’s Office A look at life beyond the Sweet Grass Fire p. 13 badge and service after Responders in action pgs. 10-11 the time clock 16 From the top Department heads weigh in on what it Dispatch p. 14 means to serve on the cover 8-9 Rod MacLean EMT retires after more than two decades on call Search and Rescue p. 2 Sheriff’s Reserves p. 4 Cover photo by MACKENZIE REISS Thank you Sweet Grass County first responders for your dedication to our community. 22 Highway 10 East • (406) 932-4234 Search + Rescue Alan Ronneberg Search and Rescue Coordinator he search and rescue motto Tis “So Others May Live.” Across the country and across the world, this motto resonates through every SAR organization. MACKENZIE REISS / Big Timber Pioneer Within that motto comes a common Sweet Grass County SAR members (left to right): Scott Bosch*, Kevin Langhus, Craig Wood, Zach thread of giving back to the Rennie*, Josh Fjare, Rusty Terland, Dave Tronrud, Lt. Alan Ronneberg, Aaron Woodham, Brian James, community and a desire to Dan Tronrud, Mark George, Cory Tronrud and Saul Heinemann. Charlie the dog is laying on the floor. Not pictured: Monica DeCock, Carson Pollington, Mackenzie Reiss. *These members are no longer active. help others in need of our specialized assistance. Our IN ACTION amazing group of people. The unit’s members offer their own Josh Fjare STANDOUT VOLUNTEER camaraderie is great. individual and special talents My most memorable call to the group as they join was the rescue of a stranded and are shared throughout, motorcyclist in the Upper Deer expanding knowledge and Creek area last November. It capability to the unit. was the most intense weather Get involved change that I have seen and he FOUR YEARS — SAR PRESIDENT was on the verge of death. Contact Sweet Grass The big thing is, you make a + I joined search and rescue County Sheriff ’s Office bond with these folks. There’s a for a couple reasons — to Lieutenant Alan Ronneberg certain bond that you’ll probably serve my community and be at (406) 932-5143 or attend always have with someone you around a good group of people. rescued, which is really neat. their meeting on the third LINDSEY ERIN KROSKOB / Big Timber Pioneer It’s also a learning experience. I have learned so much while Sunday of each month at the SAR members practice swiftwater I love the outdoors, and I courthouse. rescue techniques June 7. being a part of the search and wanted to help people. It’s an rescue organization. EET GRA SW SS COUNTY S H E R E I C F I F F ’ S F BE O S TIM R VO G P IG L S B . MONTANA 40 VEERAC Thank you 1908 S A R F . Sweet Grass County emergency responders IRE DEPT We appreciate everything you do for our community. Crazy Mountain Chiropractic (406) 932-5528 — 301 W. First Ave. 2 | +First Responders 2015 Ambulance Service Richard Pike Ambulance Manager ichard started with the Sweet RGrass County Ambulance Service nearly six years ago. In addition to working as the ambulance manager, he also volunteers with LINDSEY ERIN KROSKOB / Big Timber Pioneer Big Timber’s youth Sweet Grass County Ambulance Service members (left to right): Brian James, Cory Tronrud, John baseball program. Ronneberg, Laurie Parrent, Shawn Tripp, Karen Elliott, Cookie Agnew, Paula Curtin, Tim Yuzeitis and Richard believes the Richard Pike. Not pictured: Francis Blake, Mery Donald, James Ellis, Tom Esp, David Fox, Jamie Lager, ambulance service’s greatest Kevin Langhus, Gail Payne, Kandi Schuman, Dan Tronrud and Aaron Woodham. strength is teamwork, while their greatest struggle is John Ronneberg We also have a close my clothes out, so I could get volunteerism. Of the 20 members on the roster, STANDOUT VOLUNTEER working relationship with the dressed in the dark (I have seen fire department, search and some interesting combinations four active members have rescue, law enforcement and at 3 a.m.), as well as parking more than 20 years with the Montana Highway Patrol — a and sitting so I could get away department. All members relationship not found in many quickly from kid’s programs, have more than two centuries counties in our state. concerts, ball games, etc. of experience combined. I would also state that our — — — Get involved county commissioners have It is important to me to 35 YEARS — ADVANCED always been solid supporters volunteer because it seems to be EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN Contact Ambulance of emergency services and this not the thing to do anymore. + Manager Richard Pike at cooperation has carried forward We have a lot of difficulty, Our service is so fortunate to (406) 932-5384 or attend with our affiliation with Pioneer not only with the ambulance, have truly dedicated people who their meetings at 5:30 p.m. Medical Center. but with many public service provide only the best patient care. on the second and fourth — — — organizations that rely on They are one of the big reasons Monday of each month at When I first started as an volunteers to do very necessary I continue to serve. They are not the ambulance station. only co-workers, but friends. EMT, I got in the habit of laying work in the community. Thank you Sweet Grass County first responders Locally owned and operated. 119 E. First Ave. • (406) 932-5323 2015 +First Responders | 3 Sheriff’s Reserves Ron Swanson Sheriff’s Office Reserves Coordinator he reserves greatest Tstrength is in the diversity of members and their dedication to the community and the sheriff’s office. Some members are new; LINDSEY ERIN KROSKOB / Big Timber Pioneer some have more than 20 years of service. Reserve deputies Jeff Jones (left), Kacee Vernia and sheriff’s office deputy Tim Stene clear a Reserves serve with no Sweet Grass County High School hallway during a mock active shooter training April 24. pay and supply their own agency assists all have their and three or four survived. equipment and uniforms. Tom Winters own most memorable calls. The scene was horrific. They have trained and STANDOUT VOLUNTEER The list is ongoing with Later, as we were assisting continue to stay current with every shift you work. EMS and controlling traffic, changing laws to improve Very seldom will you hear I looked up and saw our their usefulness. law enforcement officers department chaplain, Ron After working their regular talking about their calls, Countryman. He had the jobs, they put in long hours, because protecting the privacy surviving members of the day or night, in all kinds of of citizens is something we family huddled together in situations and weather for no 16 YEARS — RESERVE OFFICER believe in and are sworn to do. a safe spot and was praying more than the gratitude of the Any of the veteran reserve Having said all that, I will with them. His convictions, sheriff’s office and community. deputies could fill the say that a fatal traffic accident strength and caring devotion Get involved newspaper with accounts of I responded to many years ago were exactly what they and I memorable calls. Traffic stops, left a profound impact on me. needed for that awful day. + Contact Sergeant Ron weapon calls, traffic accidents, I, and several full-time I don’t think I have ever told Swanson at (406) 932-5143 fugitive searches, building deputies responded to Interstate him how witnessing that small or attend their meeting on clearances, public assists, 90 for a single-vehicle rollover scene impacted me or helped the second Thursday of each assaults, domestic disturbances, with multiple fatalities. Three me deal with the recurring month at the courthouse. combative arrests and inter- members of a family were killed memories of that call. 4 | +First Responders 2015 THANK YOU SWEET GRASS COUNTY Sweet Grass County FIRST RESPONDERS Sweet Grass Ranch (406) 537-4477 — www.sweetgrassranch.com ill’s B DINER & CATERING City, county officials offer WORDS OF THANKS +City of Big Timber The City of Big Timber Mayor and Council would like to take this opportunity to commend the This morning I got to witness the extreme countywide emergency services joy in 10 4-year-old’s faces when they arrived personnel, both past and present, for at the fire department in the “big red trucks” the outstanding care you give to our for fire prevention week. It was in that community. We also commend your moment I realized that every single one of families for their understanding and our local emergency services employees and personal sacrifice. volunteers do their “jobs” for so much more You are all “everyday heroes.” than what one would think. Volunteers have a unique sense of These people volunteer their time to benefit responsibility. We recognize the many every single person in our community, whether hours of training, missed weekends, it is from a car wreck, a fire or a gas leak to holidays, family events, days and nights the heartwarming events like giving these with little rest, and in some cases, lost sweet children a ride in the truck and teaching wages.