By State › Montana

Montana: Local Resources

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Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (DES)

Montana DES coordinates statewide emergency planning and response, working through county-level DES offices (Cascade County, Yellowstone County, and others) that handle local implementation, training, and CERT delivery.

Where to find it: your county’s DES office, or the state Department of Military Affairs’s Disaster and Emergency Services Division.

MSU Extension: Master Gardener Program

Montana State University Extension runs the same category of program as every other state covered on this site, in a notably compact format.

  • Montana Master Gardener Program: an 8-10 week course, shorter than the 40+ hour classroom standard seen on many other states’ pages, followed by an open-book exam and a 20-hour volunteer commitment.

Where to find it: montana.edu/extension/mastergardener lists county-level classes.

CERT: county-run, with active programs in Cascade, Missoula, and Fergus counties

Montana’s CERT programs are organized independently at the county level rather than through one statewide curriculum. Cascade County and Missoula County both run established CERT programs, and Fergus County has more recently moved to add its own, a free eight-unit course typically delivered over about three days covering first aid, disaster psychology, fire safety, and utility controls.

Coverage varies significantly by county

Not every Montana county has an active CERT program yet. Given the state’s large geography and low population density outside a handful of counties, residents should check directly with their county’s DES office for the nearest active team rather than assuming coverage.

Where to find it: search “[your county] Montana CERT” or check your county DES office’s website directly.

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