Broadwater County Search and Rescue Dinner
 | Author:
Matt Nelson
MT43 News Correspondent |
Broadwater County Search and Rescue Dinner
Matt Nelson
The Broadwater County Search and Rescue (BCSAR) team held a potluck dinner and awards ceremony on Saturday evening January 13th at the Lodge. Several members and their families attended. The SAR team comes under the command of the Broadwater County Sheriff’s office, led by Sheriff Nick Rouser. The president is Eric Crusch. At the start, he led us all in prayer, since he is the pastor of the Elkhorn Community Fellowship Church.
An excellent pulled pork dinner was provided by Mike Speedy and his wife, who cooked it. The rest of the food was great potluck brought by the other members. If anyone left hungry or unsatisfied it was their own fault.
Once the time came when people were wishing they weren’t so full so they could eat more pork or dessert, Eric called Speedy (as he likes to be called) up to make a special presentation. Mike works at the Graymont Limestone plant as an electrician. Graymont donated a 2024 Polaris Ranger to the SAR team, so Eric gave Speedy a special engraved wooden plaque to take to the plant. Speedy is a key member of the SAR team, and last year he was given the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Member of The Year Award for 2022.
This year the 2023 award was given to Steve Wyatt. Sheriff Nick Rauser made the presentation, with Eric and Under-Sheriff Brandon Harris looking on. Once again, this award is well deserved by Steve. Sheriff Rauser and Eric praised the efforts Steve has made, whether going on actual searches or working at the SAR building (called the barn), located at the corner of Pine Street and 6th Street. The Sheriff also gave high praises to the SAR team for all the searches in all kinds of weather, and to their family members, who sit at home wondering how long it will be before they see their loved ones again.
Sometimes the SAR team works with the Montana Army National Guard, supporting their training exercises, too. In the summer the Guard will have members jump out of helicopters into Canyon Ferry Lake and then extract them. The BCSAR team has people riding around in a boat to help keep spectators out of the jump area and do other duties as needed. In 2022 both units worked together in the Limestone Hills to practice using the helicopter crews to extract people on the ground who needed medical attention. Sometimes people riding around in boats become stuck or run out of gas, calling upon the SAR team services. There is training given on ice rescues, or for lost people, or rescuing people out of aircraft wrecks.
A general meeting for all the members of the BCSAR team is held on the last Monday of each month, and training in such items as first aid, water and ice rescue, and search techniques is given on the first Thursday of each month. Both meetings start at 6:30 PM. The SAR building is located at the corner of Pine Street and 6th Street.
Volunteers are always welcome with the BCSAR Team. The people currently serving have a wide background of abilities and talents and are in all adult age groups. The main purpose is to help other people in traumatic situations.
If you have any questions about Search and Rescue or would like to volunteer please call the sheriff’s office at 406 266-3441 or the SAR president Eric Crusch at 406 521-0275.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Matt Nelson
Image 1 Caption: BCSAR President Eric Crusch gave Mike Speedy an award to take to the GRAYMONT Limestone Plant for the purchasing of a 2024 Polaris Ranger.
Photo Credits: Matt Nelson
Image 2 Caption: L-R Sheriff Nick Rauser, Steve Wyatt, Eric Crusch, Under-Sheriff Brandon Harris. Steve was presented the 2023 award for his exemplary service with the SAR team.
Photo Credits: Matt Nelson
