Members of the Western Montana Incident Management Team deployed to Maui , Hawaii , in November , December and January in support of ongoing recovery efforts following the disastrous Lahaina wildfire in August 2023 . The Missoula County Office of Emergency Management oversees this disaster response team , which worked to address persistent challenges like debris removal , toxic waste and housing issues that continue to hinder the island ' s recovery .  
   Incident management teams consist of highly trained professionals from multiple agencies that use the incident command system ( a standardized command and control structure ) to respond to emergencies and disasters . The multi - agency , all - hazard incident management team included staff from the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management and Missoula City Fire . Previously , the Western Montana Incident Management Team has responded to wildfires , avalanches and floods in Montana and hurricane relief in Florida .  
   While in Maui , the team managed both emerging incidents and ongoing recovery from the wildfire . Additionally , staff helped the Maui Emergency Management Agency develop its own strategic plan for disaster management . The team successfully met these goals before handing off responsibilities to another incoming group .  
   While staffing Maui ' s Emergency Operations Center overnight in January , the team responded to two emergencies unrelated to the initial wildfire relief: a rare tornado warning and flash flooding that trapped people in rising waters . First responders rescued those stranded , including people on a bridge surrounded by floodwaters and others trapped in vehicles .  
   "With each assignment , Missoula ' s incident management team sharpens our disaster response capabilities , ” said Nick Holloway , deputy disaster and emergency services coordinator at Missoula County . “Aiding Maui after the Lahaina fire allowed us to support their community while gaining invaluable real - world experience working as a cohesive unit . This makes us an increasingly prepared and capable team ready to handle emergencies in Missoula County . "  
   Missoula OEM and IMT personnel have experience responding to natural disasters like hurricanes , flooding , wildfires and more across the region and country . Missoula County ' s support of Maui allowed for expertise sharing while also honing capabilities for local emergency response . This critical exchange highlights the importance of emergency management collaboration and coordination between counties and across state lines . Missoula County’s investment in this team not only helps other jurisdictions in their time of need , but also makes our community stronger and more resilient in the face of emergencies and dangers .  
   
   

Press release information :

Direct link to press release: Click here .

Keywords and search queries from search engines related to the press release :
Tags:
Missoula . County . Montana . Incident . Command . Returns . Wildfire . Relief . Hawaii . February .
responsibilities . professionals . collaboration . jurisdictions . standardized . Additionally . successfully . capabilities . increasingly . coordination .
https://thepressreleaseengine.com/Incident+Command+Team+Returns+from+Wildfire+Relief+in+Hawaii+-lnid2024-5427-264078
Missoula ; County ; Montana ; Incident ; Command ; Returns ; Wildfire ; Relief ; Hawaii ; February ;
responsibilities ; professionals ; collaboration ; jurisdictions ; standardized ; Additionally ; successfully ; capabilities ; increasingly ; coordination ;
February Hawaii Relief Wildfire Returns Command Incident Montana County Missoula
coordination increasingly capabilities successfully Additionally standardized jurisdictions collaboration professionals responsibilities