Deputy honored by MHP for work during March fire/dust storm

Stillwater County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Smith was the epitome of a public servant last March 28 when a severe dust storm, coupled with a wildfire, prompted the evacuation of a large subdivision, multiple power outages, the re-routing of traffic off Interstate 90 and several injury accidents, including one fatality.
In other words, a day of life-threatening chaos stretching from Columbus towards Billings.
For his actions that day, Smith, along with a handful of other law enforcement officers, were recently honored with Colonel Coins presented by the Montana Highway Patrol in a ceremony in Billings.
Colonel’s Coins recognize exemplary work of officers. It was the first time the coins were awarded to people outside MHP. Also being honored were lawmen from Carbon County, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wardens, a Bureau of Land Management ranger and Motor Carrier Services.

March 28
The 3,000-acre Pine Crest Fire was being fanned by wind gusts of more than 70 mph on March 28. The severe wind was also causing power outages and property damage, such as uprooting trees and sending them crashing into two homes in Columbus.
On I-90, visibility fell to nearly nothing in the heavy smoke and dust with 14 accidents being reported to MHP within a 30-minute time period. One of those include a 5-vehicle wreck that claimed the life of a Park City woman and seriously injured her husband. The crash also involved a stretch limousine on the way to Columbus to take kids to prom.
Smith was not on duty that day, but was called into work due to the multiple emergencies. His first task was to shut down the eastbound lane of I-90.
Smith, who is also a Columbus volunteer fire fighter, then established an Incident Command Center for the Pine Crest Fire at the westbound rest area, along with fire and county emergency officials.
Smith next took fire fighters to mile marker 419 to put out a spot fire that was threatening to jump I-90. Smith was then summoned back to control traffic on I-90, working with the Montana Department of Transportation, as diverted traffic had stacked up in Columbus, with cars from Pike Avenue to Fourth Avenue at one point.
Traffic was then diverted to the Joliet Road to ease up on the Columbus congestion.
At about 10:30 p.m., Smith was released from duty, but called back out again by 11 p.m. to assist Yellowstone County with family notification of the fatality victim. His duties continued the following day as he assisted coordinating the Pine Crest Fire investigation with Columbus fire officials, the state fire marshal and the Bureau of Land Management.
Smith said he has no idea who nominated him and was surprised to be recognized. Undersheriff Chip Kem accompanied him to the ceremony two weeks ago in Billings.