Subscribe
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Menu
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events

Local agencies conduct emergency drill

in News
Big Sky Fire Department personnel move a patient out of the crashed bus watched by patients with less severe injuries. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER
Outlaw Partnersby Outlaw Partners
August 30, 2022

By Gabrielle Gasser ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BIG SKY – The Big Sky Fire Department, Yellowstone Club Fire Department, Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department collaboratively ran a Mass Casualty Incident Drill on Tuesday responding to a mock bus crash in the Gallatin Canyon. 

The drill was a way for the agencies to practice their emergency response, mobilize resources, and ensure they’re all prepared to best serve the Big Sky community during an emergency.

Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad

In the scenario, a rafting bus had crashed and flipped near Deer Creek, blocking traffic on U.S. Highway 191 and injuring 15 people. This meant the only outside resources the agencies could draw on were the Hebgen Basin Fire District and the YC fire department. 

A Gallatin County Deputy Sheriff provides an overview of the crash scene to BSFD. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

The drill was real time, according to Big Sky Deputy Fire Chief Seth Barker, meaning the responders made use of the resources available rather than calling in extra staff to keep the response realistic. In total, Barker said the fire department responded with two ambulances and a fire engine with a total of six personnel. The YC fire department responded with one ambulance, one command staff and a total of three personnel.

It took 47 minutes to triage and transport all the patients.

“The guys did a really good job today,” Barker said. 

“I feel like it’s not an if, it’s a when, and so we want to be prepared for something in case a catastrophic event happened,” he said.

The patients were ultimately transferred to the Big Sky Medical Center where the hospital staff took over care. 

Chaney Coleman, trauma program coordinator and staff nurse at the medical center, said she was happy with the way the drill went.

Three BSFD personnel load a severely injured patient into an ambulance. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

“We all went into this knowing this is a learning curve and every time you do any kind of a drill, there’s usually a lot of things that you find that we could improve on,” she said. “I’m really excited with how it went inside the ER.”

Coleman added that since Big Sky Medical Center is a small facility with limited resources, trainings like this are important for staff to work through and make decisions about how to allocate resources to best serve patients. 

“I really appreciate Big Sky Fire putting on this drill and of course, we always appreciate the volunteers for coming in,” she said. 

The drill was executed well, Barker said, and benefited everyone involved.

“This is a very huge, collaborative drill between all agencies that are working together for a common goal of making sure we’re addressing the community’s needs and identifying target hazards,” he said.

Outlaw Realty Outlaw Realty
Outlaw Realty
ADVERTISEMENT

Listen

Hoary Marmot Podcast

Joe Borden & Michele Veale Borden

Lastest Episode
See More Episodes

Upcoming Events

Jun 13
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Trivia at the Waypoint

Jun 14
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jun 15
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jun 16
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Community Hike Big Sky

Jun 16
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

View Calendar
Event Calendar

Related Posts

Big Sky seasonal worker welcome party draws a crowd
Local

Big Sky seasonal worker welcome party draws a crowd

June 13, 2025
Discovery Academy launches new Ski Enrichment Program
Featured

Discovery Academy launches new Ski Enrichment Program

June 11, 2025
Bozeman commission considers providing legal help to city’s renters
News

Bozeman commission considers providing legal help to city’s renters

May 23, 2025
Big Sky May 6 election results
Featured

Big Sky May 6 election results

May 6, 2025

An Outlaw Partners Publication

Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Explore Big Sky

  • About/Contact
  • Advertise
  • Publications
  • Subscriptions
  • Podcast
  • Submissions

Outlaw Brands

  • Mountain Outlaw
  • Plan Yellowstone
  • Big Sky PBR
  • Wildlands Music
  • Outlaw Partners
  • Outlaw Realty
  • Hey Bear

Copyright © 2025 Explore Big Sky | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Yellowstone
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Real Estate
  • Events

©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Explore Big Sky Logo
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Subscribe
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube