The mission of Lewis and Clark County Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) is to protect lives, property, and the environment through preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation planning and activities.

The DES Coordinator manages the county Emergency Operations Center at the Helena Regional Airport during emergencies.

The LEPC is a group made up of representatives of public and private agencies. It meets quarterly at predesignated locations to plan and coordinate responses to all hazards in the county.

The next LEPC meeting will be held September 22nd at 3pm at the Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center 3425 Skyway Dr, Helena, MT 59602. Due to COVID trends and current Public Health guidance, masks are recommended for those who attend in person. There will be a virtual option and a zoom link will be posted here. 

The Emergency Alert System is a digitized radio warning system used in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater Counties. The system is designed to provide a 24-hour warning to the public for emergencies and disasters.

KCAP Radio Station (950 AM) is the primary station broadcasting emergency alerts. It has simulcast capability with other participating local stations: KCAP, KBLL, KHKR, KFBB-TV, KXLH-TV, and KTVH-TV.

The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office, Helena Police Department, and 911 Dispatch Center use a target notification system to send emergency alerts, such as evacuation orders, to county residents in specific areas by telephone. The service automatically contacts land lines.

If you wish to get emergency alerts via cell phone, you can register your number.