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   Missoula County incident command team returns from wildfire relief in Hawaii
   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 to respond to emergencies locally .  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 .
   Outdoor burning season open , permits required
   The Missoula County Fire Protection Association announced that outdoor burning season for general , essential agriculture and prescribed wildland burning season opened on Friday , March 1 . If you are planning to burn , please remember that all outdoor burning requires a burn permit , and the only material that may be disposed of by burning is untreated wood and vegetation generated onsite .
   Annual permits cost $7 and can be purchased or renewed online
    , or in person at most local fire protection agencies .
   Within Missoula City limits , parcels must be at least one acre or more in size to be eligible for an outdoor burn permit and recreational fires are banned year - round . Additionally , inside the Missoula Air Stagnation Zone ( an area that stretches about four miles outside Missoula City limits ) , it is illegal to burn piles of leaves and grasses because of the smoke that it produces . If you are within the Air Stagnation Zone , dispose of leaves and grass by composting them or delivering them to a facility such as Garden City Compost . Dumping of any type of yard debris on public lands is prohibited .
   Before lighting your fire , you must activate your permit either online or by calling the automated activation phone line at 1 - 888 - 583 - 6497 after 9 a . m . on the day you wish to burn . Burning is allowed after 9 a . m . , and the fire needs to be out by 4 p . m .
   If you are planning to burn this spring , please be aware of the conditions of not only your burn pile , but the vegetation in the surrounding area as well as predicted weather . After activating your permit , have an adequate supply of personnel , water and equipment to control your burn , and do not leave it unattended until it is cold - to - the - touch .
   To learn more about outdoor burning seasons , permits and safe burning tips , visit
   missoula . co/airqualityor visit
   MCFPA . organd follow the
   Missoula County Fire Protection Association on Facebook .
   Public Works to host an open house on speed mitigation options for Third , Clements
   Missoula County Public Works will host an open house this week for area residents to learn about possible speed mitigation options on Third and Clements Street in the Orchard Homes/Target Range neighborhoods .
   Residents are encouraged to drop by anytime between 5 and 7 p . m . Thursday , March 7 , at the Hawthorne School gym ( 2835 S . Third St . W . ) to talk to staff at the open house . The open house format will offer residents the opportunity to have one - on - one conversations with staff . There will be no formal presentation or group Q - and - A .
   After hearing concerns from area residents about vehicle speeds on this stretch of road , Missoula County staff want to know if the surrounding Target Range neighborhood would support a Complete Street project that could help mitigate speed concerns . Visit
   missoulacountyvoice . comto learn about the Complete Street concept .
   Staff are in the early stages of exploring this project , and no plans are in place yet to pursue it . Right now , staff are just gauging community interest in the concept and whether there would be support for it . If there is resident interest , staff will start exploring what funding opportunities might be available through federal grants and other avenues . If there is little community interest , staff will close out the project for now . Come to the open house to let us know your thoughts!
   Candidate filing closing soon for 2024 primary election
   The Elections Office is accepting candidate filings for countywide offices up for election in the June primary . To appear on the November general election ballot , candidates must file to run and receive the most votes in their respective party’s primary . The deadline to submit filings and the associated fee is 5 p . m . Monday , March 11 .
   In countywide elections , the Clerk of District Court and Commissioner for District 3 will be on the ballot . These candidates must file with the county Elections Office , not the Secretary of State ( candidates running for District Court judge or legislative seats
   do file with the SOS
    ) . While county commissioners are elected at - large and represent the entire county , they must reside within their respective district for at least two years before the general election .
   The current list of openings is
   online
    . Elections Office staff will update this list as candidates file . To file for an open position , qualified candidates must complete the Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy form available online at
   missoula . co/candidatefiling
    . Forms must be returned to the Elections Center at 140 N . Russell St . or emailed to
   [email protected]
    . The form may also be picked up or completed in person at the Elections Center .
   New podcast episode | Just Response: Advocating for survivors , children and families
   Domestic violence , also often referred to as intimate partner violence , can be difficult to address and has lasting effects on individuals , families and communities . Missoula County’s
   Just Responseprogram , made up of mental and medical health professionals , law enforcement , advocacy groups , child protection and criminal justice organizations , works to respond to DV cases and increase overall community safety .
   The commissioners recently sat down with Erin Shreder , Just Response coordinator , to discuss the tangible results of this inter - agency collective , the upstream causes of domestic violence and more .  
   This episode deals with difficult topics like relationship and domestic violence . The Crime Victim Advocate Division of Missoula County is here to help you . Please call 406 - 258 - 3830 or visit their office at 317 Woody Street . YWCA Missoula is another resource , and their crisis line is 1 - 800 - 483 - 7858 .
   Click here to listenor find it wherever you get your podcasts under "The Agenda with the Missoula County Commissioners" .
   Sign up for emergency alerts with Smart911
   Preparing for an emergency doesn’t only mean stocking up on canned foods or buying a transistor radio . Signing up for emergency alerts from Missoula County 9 - 1 - 1 takes less than five minutes and will ensure you receive timely , location - relevant info straight to your cellphone . Download the free Smart911 app or visit
   smart911 . comto get started . All emergency service agencies in Missoula County recommend Smart911 .
   Smart911 delivers timely , location - specific alerts to your cellphone to help keep you and your family safe during a natural disaster like a wildfire or flood , or during increased police activity in your area that may prompt a shelter - in - place order . You must opt in to receive them because local emergency services can’t send alerts to your cellphone without your permission .  
   Property tax assistance programs available for fixed - income residents and disabled veterans
   The deadline for two property tax assistance programs administered by the Montana Department of Revenue is Monday , April 15 .
   The
   Property Tax Assistance Program ( PTAP ) helps Montana homeowners on a fixed or limited income reduce their property taxes on their primary residence . This benefit only applies to the first $350 , 000 of the market value of your residence . Income limits apply and are updated yearly to reflect inflation .
   Download the form
    . The
   Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program ( MDV ) helps disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouse reduce their property taxes on their primary residence .
   Download the form .
   Mythbuster: ‘Missoula County and other local governments received money directly from the federal government ' s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law . ’
   This is FALSE . When the federal government passes laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , the money does not flow directly down to local governments . Instead , the states receive direct federal funding for state highways , and in the case of BIL , additional funding is placed into competitive grants that local governments may apply for .
   For example , Missoula County is currently applying for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity ( RAISE ) grant and Bridge Investment Program ( BIP ) grant to address bridge infrastructure , which would help fund improvements for multiple bridges that are in poor condition throughout the county . There are no guarantees of funding for applicants , so all costs associated with the applications are funded by the local governments .
   Click hereto help us bust more myths or rumors you may have heard .
   local government doing about… public engagement?’
   Check out “What is Missoula County doing about…?”to see what county government is doing to address the most pressing issues facing residents . This week we’re highlighting what County government is doing about
   public engagement
    , including the many ways you can submit public comment , how we use surveys to assess residents’ needs and more .
   Engage with us on
   Missoula County Voice
   !
         
   Don’t miss these opportunities to get involved with county government:
       
   Follow the
   Maclay/South Ave Bridge projectfor updates and to submit your questions .
   Follow the
   Third St . and Clements Road Complete Street Projectfor updates .
   Follow the Wye Infrastructure Plan projectand stay up to date on how Missoula County could address infrastructure deficiencies in the Wye area , such as roads , water , wastewater , broadband and more .
   Receive a $500 rebate toward a new water heater
    .
    
    
   Job Openings 
   Looking for a job with great benefits? Join our team at Missoula County!
    Benefits include health , dental and vision insurance; paid parental leave and vacation , sick and holiday leave; free and confidential counseling services through an Employee Assistance Program; and enrollment in the Public Employees’ Retirement System .  The following departments are hiring:       
   9 - 1 - 1 Dispatch 
   Animal Control
   Clerk and Recorder’s Office
   Clerk of District Court
   Community Justice Department
   County Attorney ' s Office
   Detention Center
   Ecology & Extension
   Facilities Management
   Financial Services
   Human Resources
   Justice Court
   Missoula Public Health
   Missoula Public Library
   Partnership Health Center
   See the full list of job openingsat Missoula County and apply today!  
   Missoula County in the News:
   Montana State University Extension agent Jerry Marks retiring after 54 years in Missoula County
    , Montana State University
   Restoration work for St . Michaels Church at Fort Missoula begins with grant application , ABC Fox
   Missoula leaders set plans for government review , city council changes agenda format , Missoulian
   Missoula County eyes bridge repairs , seeks $25M in federal funds
    , Missoula Current
   Selected Upcoming Events:
   American Red Cross Blood Drive
   11 a . m . to 4 p . m . , Wednesday , March 6 , Missoula Public Library
   Summer Camp Expo
   10 a . m . to 1 p . m . , Saturday , March 9 , Missoula Public Library
   Missoula Public Health: Vaccine Clinicat the Women’s Fair
   11 a . m . to 4 p . m . , Saturday , March 9 , University Center Ballroom at the University of Montana
   Missoula Building Industry Association Remodeling and Home Expo
    
   10 a . m . to 5 p . m . , Saturday , March 9 and 11 a . m . to 3 p . m . , Sunday , March 10 , Missoula County Fairgrounds
   Find more events this week on the
   County’s Event Calendar
   !
               
   What are the commissioners up to?
   Recently , the Missoula County commissioners…
   Attended the mid - winter conference of the Montana Association of Counties in Great Falls .
   Appointed members to the Justice , Equity , Diversity and Inclusion Board and reappointed members to the Elections Advisory Committee .
   Approved a professional services agreement with Jerome’s Drilling Inc to add two monitoring wells to assess bacterial conditions in the groundwater near Touchette Lane in Frenchtown and Waldo Road at the Wye . Previously , high bacterial concentrations in the groundwater have impeded development in these areas . The monitoring wells will help determine the source of the bacteria and inform a mitigation plan .
   Approved an addendum to an existing agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation , which adds an additional $200 , 000 for repairs to Rock Creek Bridge and $70 , 000 for Maclay Bridge . This funding comes from Senate Bill 536 , which was passed by the Montana state legislature in 2023 .
   Keep up with the commissioners yourself by
   attending a public meeting . Commissioners’ meetings and selected board meetings for the upcoming week are listed below ,
   with links to agendas and Microsoft Teams links: 
   Tuesday , March 5
   • 6 p . m . :
   Planning Board Meeting
   Wednesday , March 6
   No meetings scheduled
   Thursday , March 7
   •
   8 a . m . :
   Chief Administrative Officer Update
   •
   9 a . m . :
   Risk & Benefits Update
   •
   2 p . m . :
   Commissioners’ Public Meeting
   Monday , March 11
   • 8:30 a . m . :
   Public Works Update
   • 9:30 a . m . :
   Lands and Communities Update
   rative meetings are published two business days before the meeting , and public meeting agendas are published the Friday before the meeting . Administrative and public meeting video recordings are available on the
   Missoula County YouTube page
    , and MCAT plays the public meetings live on Spectrum Channel 190 .
   Email
   [email protected]or call 406 - 258 - 4877 if you have any questions or comments on an upcoming meeting .  
   

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