Answering the Call

Volunteers of the Big Timber Fire Department go above and beyond the call

By Jean Petersen
Photography by Kayla Sargent

Every second matters. Urgency pressures action and response time is immediate when the pagers release their call. The siren sounds and the Big Timber Volunteer Fire Department is ready to spring into action. Volunteers from every corner of the county will be responding because someone needs help.  

Assistant Fire Chief Kurt Laubach knows he can depend on his team. They are dedicated to the job and he knows each of them well.

“We’re here because we want to give back to our community,” he said. “We know our team’s strengths and how to get in, get done and support each other. Most of us are here because fighting fire is something we really enjoy.” 

These volunteers are a diverse group of people who are vested in the department as active members. In their ranks are teachers, lawyers, mine workers, ranchers and business owners. When the siren rings, they leave those identities behind and come running.  

Because the fire department is all-volunteer, the community businesses understand that employing volunteer firefighters means there is a good chance that at some point, they will be called out during business hours. Many of them offer wage compensation to their employees who are called to fires or other emergencies and many are huge financial contributors to the department. 

“It’s widely accepted that when we’re called, we have the option to get to the call and this ensures that we (the fire department) have the coverage where and when we are needed to go,” Kurt said.   

That kind of support is one of the reasons that generations of firefighters are from the same families. Karl Conner, who has served the team for 31 years, said, “It’s something I grew up with. My father was a big part of it; that’s how many of us became involved. Our fathers and grandfathers served, and we want to continue the service and legacy.”  

Chase Stevens echoed, “I started because my dad was fire chief. I liked it. I also wanted to do something for the community and be a part of what he was doing.”  

With over 175 calls in a year’s time, the department sees plenty of action, but they are also required to take part in monthly training. Many of the volunteers attend various fire schools and other training sessions around the region to learn about new techniques, equipment and emergency responses to bring home and teach to their fellow firefighters.     

At the firehouse, they race for their turnout gear, stored neatly in open lockers along the walls of the fire station. They quickly pull on jackets, pants and boots, grab their helmets and race for the assigned truck. Their commitment to each other and the department, and their jovial camaraderie, are deeply rooted, and clearly a huge part of their success.

“We’re here for each other and have a good time doing something we really enjoy,” said Pat Leary, a 29-year active member. “We’re not going to leave anyone standing alone.” 

“Everyone knows their niche,” Kurt said. “Depending on the situation, some of our team’’ roles vary in different areas, but we always respond, regardless.”

The department has a reputation for working well with the other emergency departments in Sweet Grass County. Agreements are in place that allow the fire department to work hand in hand with the county emergency response teams, local businesses and industries, such as the Stillwater Mine.

With a service area nearly the size of Delaware, Big Timber’s volunteers cover 37 miles of interstate, 70 miles of state highway, hundreds of miles of county road and countless acres of open range and forest, making cooperation  imperative.  The 40-member firefighter team, along with four junior members, give it their all to serve their community on a regular basis.  

They are known for continually giving their neighboring departments and support services the credit and recognition due. But they also take an aggressive stance to quickly deal with fires and emergency situations.  

“We like to attack a fire,” Kurt explained. “We take a more offensive strike, when we can, rather than defensive. It also comes down to our lead time. When we get called out, we have the volunteers who can get out to the calls because the community understands the importance of what we’re doing, and we can move quickly.” 

This type of positioning has allowed the department to quickly access situations and take action. In addition to answering the call of emergencies, the department is a huge presence in the county of 3,700 people, which swells to over 9,000 during the tourism season. They teach an education program in the school district on fire prevention, sponsor an annual pancake supper and are a huge presence at events such as the local rodeo.  

The honest, friendly and contagious feeling of sincere enjoyment of each other and their commitment to the community is evident at the fire station. All of the firefighters convey their his dedication toward a service profession that fills their souls, is shared deeply through generations of families and is something that immediately creates a presence of wanting to be part of what they have and what they do.

“When it comes down to it, fire is really interesting, and who doesn’t want to help someone in a time of need? That’s just what we do,” Pat said.