Disaster & Emergency Services

The Fergus County Disaster and Emergency Services Office is responsible for coordinating and supporting our community’s readiness for emergencies and disasters. Emergency preparedness starts with personal responsibility and extends to our emergency services, businesses and civic organizations. Our collective efforts preserve life, protect property and build resilient communities. 

Emergency Management is a four-phase process of preparing for emergencies and disasters at home, school, work and the great outdoors. Mitigation is identifying and minimizing risks. Preparedness is planning, training, and building local capabilities. Response is supporting our first responder’s missions to help save lives and property. Recovery is the whole community effort of rebuilding and returning to “normal” following a significant event.

LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE (LEPC)

The Fergus County LEPC meets quarterly at the Lewistown City Complex from 12-1.  An LEPC is a public safety committee that manages hazardous materials, safety and emergency response plans.  This group, which includes individuals, businesses, first responders and government employees, provides an opportunity for a collaborative whole community approach in preparing emergency and hazardous materials plans. 

The primary purpose of the Committee is to implement SARA Title III in Fergus County, but it has broader purposes as follows:

• Enhance environmental protection
• Enhance public health and safety and provide education to community members and first responders
• Work to understand the hazards in the community, develop emergency plans in case of an accidental release or natural disaster, and look for ways to prevent accidents.