Firefighter of the Year

NorthWestern Energy Patrolman/Operator Josh Bebee of Havre, Montana, is Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 497 Firefighter of the Year.

Josh, who joined NorthWestern Energy nine years ago when Devon Energy was purchased, has served as chief of the Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years.

Born and raised in Havre, Josh said he joined the volunteer fire department to contribute to his hometown.

“It’s a small town, and when there is an emergency, everyone shows up to help,” Josh said. “I knew most of the members of the fire department and decided to join.”

The Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department, which has 30 rostered members along with other volunteers, responds to fires in a 200,000 acre district in south Hill County. The rural area includes rugged terrain, and the department’s forte is wildland firefighting.

The Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department led the way in September 2022 in fighting the more than 7,200-acre Eagle Creek Fire in the Bear Paw Mountains. The department spent a week out on the line fighting the fire with Josh leading the way. He coordinated with county, state and federal fire teams to ensure the fire was properly contained and the handover process of the fire management followed protocols.

Josh’s experience and training with the fire department is an asset at NorthWestern Energy, said Havre Gas Production Superintendent Ralph Broadhead.

“Josh is really good in the role of emergency training, he steps up and takes over and does an awesome job,” Ralph said. “It makes a difference you can see when you watch him in action. He brings that very good training with him to his job here at NorthWestern.”

Josh’s commitment to the volunteer fire department is admirable, Ralph added.

“Both Josh and his wife spend a lot of time on projects to improve the department,” he said.

Under Josh’s leadership as chief, the Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department obtained a new fire hall and made advancements in training and equipment.

“Josh and the department continue to develop and implement better ways to keep the Hi-Line safe from wildland fires,” said VFW Post 497’s Dale Herd.

The Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department responds to more than a dozen fires each year. Established in the 1970s, the department’s funding is exclusively from donations and grants.

The volunteer fire department also helps at community events, including the Bear Paw Marathon, the annual Fill the Boot fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Trunk or Treat at the fairgrounds at Halloween.

“The department is a second family for all of us and an opportunity to give back to our community,” Josh said. “The commitment and dedication of the members is what makes Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department work. And the support for this community for the department is incredible.”

After attending Montana State University - Northern in Havre, Josh went to work for a construction company that did pipeline and compressor installations. That job eventually lead to an offer from Devon Energy, which was then purchased by NorthWestern Energy.

“In the winter, I operate (natural gas) wells in Havre and in the summer, I do line patrols all across the state,” Josh said. “I like to be outside. This job has a lot of different aspects to it. It’s different every day, and that is one thing I really like about it.”

Employer support of Montana’s volunteer fire responders and firefighters is a critical component to saving lives and property, said Montana Volunteer Firefighters Board Member Steve Lauer, who is the chief of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department.

“Most of these volunteers have full-time jobs and depend on their employers to allow them to respond to emergencies during work,” Steve said. “Emergencies don’t just happen after working hours. Without employers willing to support these volunteers, many emergency requests could not be answered with an adequate response.”