Volunteer group helps with disaster cleanup in Lincoln County
Team Rubicon, a disaster response non-profit group, recently spent time in Lincoln County helping clean up some of the debris and destruction left by three major weather events since December 2025. From left, are Libby local Jamie Janovec, Annemarie, Dean and Ryan. Jancovec is a local while the others are from the Montana/Idaho area. She is also a registered nurse and a probationary volunteer with David Thompson Search and Rescue. (Courtesy photo)
Team Rubicon conducted an official service project in the Libby, Troy and Yaak areas at the beginning of April to help with debris and tree removal following the severe wind storms in December and March and flooding in December.
Jamie Janovec, a Libby resident, registered nurse at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, member of David Thompson Search and Rescue and Team Rubicon volunteer, conducted surveys after the flooding and wind events to determine properties eligible for debris clean up. She teamed up with Lincoln County Emergency Manager Boyd White to determine what properties Team Rubicon could assist.
Once these properties were identified, a weekend was set to conduct the debris and tree removal.
Team Rubicon assisted with four properties over the weekend of April 10. With their sawyer and debris removal skills they aided landowners and made their property more manageable for them.
Part of the survey identified owners that were overwhelmed with downed trees and debris damage and were physically unable to clear the property. Team Rubicon's goal is to serve others and get the work done that is necessary to allow the property owners to manage the property in the future.
"We want to show the residents of Libby and Troy that we are committed to helping out with much needed disaster relief and mitigation in the long run," Janovec said. "Also to be there if another disaster were to occur. We want to promote trust and integrity to the community."
Team Rubicon gave kudos to Lincoln County Emergency Management for providing lodging and Pure North Athletics for providing shower access for the weekend.
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization delivering disaster relief to supporting communities. The nonprofit is headquartered in California and has nearly 200,000 members.
According to information on its webpage, the team was founded in 2010 after U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jake Wood couldn’t stand idly by as a 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti. He saw an immense need for help, so he acted.
Wood led a team of seven into action. The group cared for thousands of survivors.
The group took its name from Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon River in Italy.
While the team has expanded, its mission remains the same: to help people affected by disasters. For more information, visit teamrubiconusa.org or email Jamie Janovec at jjanovec88@gmail.com to get involved.