Emergency Radio Traffic Illustrates Challenges of Nebraska's Largest Fire

Attention, Bridgeport Fire Department.
Grass fire at the Dove Ranch.
Grass fire at the Dove Ranch, 1337.
421 Bridgeport
Seven.
Bridgeport 21.
Assistance on the Hill. 

Also we need to get ahold of the department of roads

because we're going have that road closed.

So we need to ...

10-4 1338.

Yes, yes.

Go to the grass fire.

I didn't catch the location on that.

What?

What side of town is that?

It is the Dove Ranch.

Dove Ranch.
10-4. You going to

mutual aid Broadwater and mutual aid Alliance?

1338.
1338

Also, can you get a hold of department of roads

because we're going to have to have the road closed so we need assistance.

Broadwater Fire

Department mutual aid request
from Bridgeport Fire Department.

The grass fire at the Dove Ranch.

Grass fire at the Dove Ranch, 1339.

Bridgeport 21.

Yeah, go ahead and do a second page.

Yes, yes.

And Broadwater and
Alliance have been advised.

You can go east of Angora on road 118.

Right.

Go ahead.

Bridgeport.

9630 needs NDOT out to come and help with the closure.

We don't have
we don't have volume out here.

I'm switching to ...

for communicate with ...

Bridgeport 22 reports.

Bridgeport 22.

En route. Fire 1

1346.

Bridgeport.

25 Bridgeport.

25. Go ahead

25. In route car two

1346. Bridgeport 40.

40, go ahead.

1346.

Bridgeport. No transport. Patient refusal. Med service available...

Broadwater 22. En route.

1349. Bridgeport 22. Bridgeport 22.

You get an update for me on
what that fire is doing?

Copy that.

And for Alliance, I just want to make sure
you go east of Angora on 118.

Correct.

I do believe that’s the road.

Okay.

This is the sheriff's office.

Can you give me an update on the fire?

I've been going through town right now.

I got a phone call to call it
in, so I'm not sure.

Oh, okay. Gotcha.

So we've got three
fire departments on the way.

So if you if there's anyone
you could call to let us know if it's,

if it's, which way it's going
and stuff like that or how big it is.

Sounds like it's going east.

East. Okay. Okay.

The road that goes down the hill up there.

Okay. Right
when you come into that Dove Ranch.

And it started right along
the road, went across an alfalfa field,

and I think it was working its way
to a pasture.

Okay. Gotcha.

Last I heard. Right.

Okay. Okay.

I'll let the fire departments know.

And you go.

You would go east. 
Like for Alliance Fire Department.

You'd go east from Angora on Road 118.

Right. To get out there. Oh, yeah.

Yeah. Okay. Perfect.

Okay. I'll let him know.

Yeah.

Bridgeport Bridgeport 22.

Go ahead.

My RP was just going through Bridgeport.
Somebody called him, so he's not sure.
But last he knew,

it started in an alfalfa field, jumped the road
and was heading toward a pasture.

heading east.

10-4, you wanna get Bayard coming?

Part of the Hills and Oshkosh.

Bridgeport 22.

Bridgeport.

You want to get Ahold of region 21, Ron.

Let him know what's going on.

We're probably going to need a lot assets.

Garden County Sheriff's office.

Hey this is Tim from the sheriff's office in Bridgeport.

Bridgeport Fire Department is requesting
mutual aid for a grass fire.
It's going to be north of bridge,
northeast of Bridgeport.
It's on the Dove Ranch,
about road 118 and 111,
and obviously heading east with the wind.
Okay.
Road 118 and route 11.
111. Yes.
111. Okay. Yep.

And what do they need?

Grass rigs.

And water.

And water.

Yeah.

Northeast of Bridgeport on the Dove Ranch.

You said. Yes.

Okay, I'll page out Oshkosh.

All right.

Thank you. Yup. Bye.

911. What is your location?

in Angora, Nebraska.

Okay.

There's a fire.

Right by my house.

How close to your house is it?

It's I can't tell.

I can just
I'm getting surrounded by smoke.

Okay.

What's your name?

I haven't been outside to see ...

Oh my God.

Okay.

What's your phone number?

Okay.

Do you have anything flammable 
like any propane tanks

or anything like that?

Uh, there is a propane tank.

Other than that, it's right on the

I don’t even know what direction I am...

1355 what side?

I'm so sorry.

I think the fire looks like

it's from the northwest,

so it's gonna be out the southeast side

of the house, east side.

And I have that.

I don't hope that’s...

All you see right now is smoke?

Let me go out.

Yeah, it's definitely smoke.

There's a fire.

Okay.

Do you see any flames near your house?

What was that?

I can't.

I'm going to get my dogs rounded up.

Okay. Did you see?

There’s smoke.

There's just smoke?

Yes. Just smoke. Okay.
If you see flames,
I need you to call back right away.
Okay.
I do have the fire department
on their way.
Okay. Yeah.
It's not far.
Okay. All right. I will let them know.
Okay. Bye.
Okay. No.
Bridgeport Bridgeport 22. Go ahead.
I just received the 911 from
The RP advised
smoke is surrounding her house.
She did not see flames.
She advised
her house is surrounded by smoke
but so far doesn't see flames.
10-4. Is that separate from the grass fire that's been reported?
Do you wanna let Bayard know to
go ahead and empty the hall.
Attention, Bayard Fire Department.
Bridgeport ten.
Advised to empty the hall.
References
this grass fire, empty the Hall 1407.
Bridgeport to any unit on scene.
Angora junction.
9642. Go ahead.
Are we able to get Bayard fire department
through Angora Junction northbound on 385?
Yes, yes.
We should be able to. They are just going to have 
to take it slow around the around the semi.
Okay. Copy that.
Third party.
Bayard Fire Department will be leaving their hall shortly.
Just for my 1078.
This is for a fire out
north, I'm assuming.
Yes, yes.
Northeast or straight east of Angora.
10-4. Tell them that when they see the
When they see the units with code three
lights on, just to slow down
and wait for instructions. We’ll get them around.
10-4. 1411.
Ok, Dalton, stand by. We will
try and see where the where they need
you for sure.
Bridgeport.
Bridgeport 22.
How do you want Dalton
to come into the fire now?
Okay.
Go ahead.
Dalton
Junction.
They want to know
how they come into the fire.
The Broadwater Alliance road.
Dalton, did you copy Broadwater?
Ten four.
So we're best off to head to Broadwater
from the junction north of Dalton.
Is that correct?
Yes, yes.
Ten four.
Then head north from Broadwater.
That is correct.
Bridgeport 41 to Bridgeport.
En route. Fire one.
1422.
Broadwater 22 to Bridgeport, requesting
they go to the Broadwater Alliance road.
it's almost to the Broadwater
Alliance Road.
Bridgeport to Broadwater.
Go ahead.
41. Go ahead 41. Go.
We’re out of water. Where are you located?
just now?
Right here at the Johnson.
385 and 26.
10-4
See you en route, Cowboy. I’m a little ...
But I'm coming.
This fire. It’s out of control
Bridgeport to Broadwater
fire Department.
Can you hear me? Yep.
Okay.
You're saying that they want us to go
to Broadwater now? Correct.
That's what I'm thinking, Jason.
I can't get Ahold of anybody
out there anymore.
The fire has moved east towards
almost to the Broadwater Alliance Road.
Last time we heard, some wonder
if it wouldn't be better for you guys
to stay on the highway to Broadwater
and then go north.
Okay. Okay.
Well, we're backtracking
because I'm taking 85 to go south
towards Bridgeport
because we're not with our big trucks.
We're not going to be able
to get through with that
semi flipped over. Okay. Gotcha.
So. Okay.
Well, yeah. 21 and 41 are en round. But okay.
We’ll get there was soon as we can.
Yep. Yep.
Okay. Sounds good. All right. Bye.
Broadwater 20 to 22.
Go ahead.
What was that?
You guys safe over there?
Yeah, we're still driving
along good.
It blew up behind you.
20 23 is not working.
Ten. Four.
Did anybody go west then?
Working our way there, but it blew up.
We’re getting out of here.
Bridgeport 23. Bridgeport 41.
Go ahead
Are you on the south side or you on the north side?
We’re on the south side
on the county road.
I’m just running a sprayer bar, trying to keep it from jumping
Save your, save your water.
Don't be sprayin nothing.
20 25. Bridgeport.
Where do I go to get water?
Bridgeport 25 to Bridgeport 10.
Go ahead. One: Where do I go to get water?
I don't know where everybody's at. I’m on
the south side.
10-4. Also do we have any other units
out here, I sure could use some help on this left flank.
You’re on the south side?
Bayard 40 to Bridgeport.
Yeah, this is Bayard 40, we’re on Highway
2692, about a mile west of the Bridgeport Cemetery.
You should get a small imported car,
Toyota or Honda.
21 county plates.
Passed us with our lights on.
We're doing approximately 72.
The semi’s been drug off the road.
Lanes are now open.
Sheriff's office.
Hey this is Jason. Hey. Have you heard of anybody
evacuating the houses 
or anything like that up north here?
I have not.
I know Garden County.
Put out an...alert to Western
Garden County to prepare to evacuate.
Okay. Okay.
But nothing.
Nothing north of Broadwater
or anything like that.
No no, no. Okay.
Okay. Okay.
All right. We can't get Ahold of anybody
on the fire department.
Can you tell me where exactly the fire
is currently at, or do you know yet?
What we got told is
We're going to go up 125,
the old Alliance Road. Yep.
And we should run into it.
Okay. Gotcha. Okay. Yeah.
I haven't heard.
I've got my police radio on my office.
Radio? Oh, perfect. Okay.
So I will try to get Ahold of you
as soon as I get closer or hear anything.
Okay. There. Okay.
Sounds good.
Okay. All right. Thanks. Bye bye. Bye.
EM 1 this is Bridgeport. Your traffic is coming in.
Very staticky.
Sheriff's office.
Hey, you want to try
to get hold of Nutrien Co-op?
Whoever to try to get some trucks of water
out here for us.
Okay. Okay.
Who do you want me to try and call?
Just like Nutrien Co-op.
Farmers, whoever. 000. Gotcha.
Okay. Gotcha.
Yeah. Okay.
Okay. We'll start calling around.
Thank you.
All right. You bet.
Well, Casey, where do they need to go?
Exactly.
Because I don't know where the fire is
at exactly right now.
You've got David & Kate's number.
Not that I know of.
We might be able to find it.
All right.
Hang on.
I'm going to tell David
to give you a call. Okay.
I think, you know,
I think he knows where we're at.
Okay. Sounds good.
You bet. Bye.
Nutrien Ag Solutions, this is Deb.
Deb,
this is Tim from the sheriff's office. Yeah.
Hey, does Nutrien Ag have any water trucks
that they can transport water to a fire?
Hang on and let me ask Marty...
Hold on. Okay.
This is Marty. Hey Marty, this is Tim with the
Sheriff's office.
Do you guys have any means
of transporting,
like, a large amount of water to a fire?
Oh, we probably.
Yeah, where you need to go.
Well, now would be north of Broadwater
on the Broadwater
Alliance Road,
and maybe about 15 miles north or so.
So quite a ways up there.
Yeah, yeah.
Okay.
Let me see
if I can find somebody that can drive.
Okay.
And if we if I can find somebody to drive,
we'll send them out.
Okay. Perfect.
Randy,
this is Tim
from the sheriff's office in Bridgeport.
Do you guys have any means of transporting
a large amount of water to a grass fire?
Let me talk to you.
Let me have
you talk to our operations guy.
Hold on just a second. Okay. Thank you.
Are you still there? Yes.
Okay. Hey, where exactly is the fire?
Well, okay.
So the fire is south of the ...
on the Broadwater Alliance Road,
if you're familiar with that.
The south of the lines on the Broadwater
Alliance Road.
Yeah, it's in from Kansas Street.
It'd be over County road 59. Okay.
Google Maps and then just kind of.
And it just literally comes down,
it turns into our county road, like 125.
Okay.
And just keep going south
for probably about 15 miles.

And that's kind of where they're staging.

Okay. Okay.

My our office manager is on phone
with our location manager

or our division manager.

So hold on just just a second here. Okay.

Yeah.

About 15 miles outside of Alliance.

It's north of Broadwater now.

North.

Okay.

Yeah.

Sheriff's office.

Yeah. This is Shawn again with Bridgeport

Hey. Hey.

I'm up on the hill now.

I'm going to let you know.

Me and another engine.

Our staged on

108 and 115
just south of the intersection.

If somebody needs water.

I mean, because obviously our radio,
there's not a whole lot of reception.

Okay.

Just going to let you know
that's where we're staged and that's.

Well, we've got one part of it killed off.

So we're going to maybe try to backtrack.

But if we can't get through to them,

I guess if they call for water,
that's where we're staged at.

Two of us. Okay.

All right. Thank you, ma'am.

Okay, give me just one second.

Actually, 
are they needing water somewhere?

Shawn
and another engine are staged at 108 and 115..

Okay, let me call Casey.

Okay.

Sounds good. Okay.

Bye bye.

Hey, Dave. Yeah. Hey.

So this Tim, I'm trying to arrange 
water tankers for Casey.

Where can they meet?

Where should the water tankers meet?

We're at.

Believe it's 108 and 113.

115 and 108. Yeah.

115 and 108. Okay.

All right. I'm trying to get Westco

out of Alliance
and maybe Nutrient Ag up there.

Okay. Yeah, it's right around the corner.

We might be moving,
but I'll try and get there,

because I've tried to call you before,
but I did the whole thing.

Now I got nothing.

Yep. Absolutely.

Okay. Sounds good.

All righty.

All right. Thanks, Dave.
Thank you. Sir. Yep.

All right. Bye.