Montana Ambulance Association

04/13/2026

"Dispatchers are hero coordinators, waiting patiently to answer a cry for help. They soothe pain with the sound of a calm voice, instill confidence in those who feel helpless".

Happy National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week!

According to the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials- "Every year during the second week of April, the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community, are honored. This week-long event is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public. It is a week that should be set aside so everyone can be made aware of their hard work and dedication.

https://www.npstw.org/about-npstw/

04/11/2026

Happy 406 Day from all of us at the Big Sky EMS Symposium!

We have been busy preparing for another amazing Symposium and can't wait to share the details soon!

03/24/2026

During National EMS Week in May we will be especially celebrating 30 years of serving Great Falls and the communities of Cascade County.
Montana Ambulance Association
MEMSA, Montana Emergency Medical Services Association

03/16/2026

03/10/2026

Just Culture and Transforming Organizations Workshop
WHEN: Monday, June 15, 2026 | 09:00-17:00 | Lunch Provided
WHERE: St. Peter’s Hospital Training Center, 2475 Broadway, Helena
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: EMS Service Managers and others with Management Responsibility within an Agency (Limit 2/agency)
Registration Limited to 60 participants – seats will fill fast!
What is Just Culture?
Just Culture refers to a values-supportive system of shared accountability where organizations are accountable for the systems they have designed and for responding to the behaviors of their employees in a fair and just manner. Employees, in turn, are accountable for the quality of their choices and for reporting both their errors and system vulnerabilities. Outcome Engenuity
Matthew Streger, Esq. will provide a full day of training to help EMS Agency leaders look at systems of error prevention and correction, how to interface with human resources systems of discipline, and how to conduct a valid investigation to support Just Culture. The day will conclude with a roundtable discussion on implementation of Just Culture, including challenges and synergies that can be used to accomplish this transformation.
TO REGISTER: https://mdphhs.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jyY7ov1zSS1mmi
One night lodging and mileage at State of Montana approved rates will be reimbursed to attendees traveling more than 50 miles to attend.
This course is sponsored by the State of Montana DPHHS Rural FLEX program as part of the Montana Frontier EMS Leadership Academy.
For further information contact Shari Graham, 406-444-6098, sgraham2@mt.gov
Shari Graham, NRP EMS SYSTEM MANAGER Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau PO Box 202951 | 1400 Broadway | Helena MT 59620-2951 406.444.6098 | fax 406.444.1814 | cell 406.417-9948
Sgraham2@mt.gov

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03/07/2026

MEMSA, Montana Emergency Medical Services Association

Most of us don’t think twice when we see a tow truck on the shoulder with its lights flashing , but we should. Tow truck drivers are out there helping people stranded on the side of the road, often in fast‑moving traffic, and their job is extremely dangerous.

According to national safety data, tow operators are killed at a rate of about 43 deaths per 100,000 workers, which is far higher than the average for most other industries.

Between dangerous traffic, limited visibility, and drivers who don’t slow down or move over, these professionals face life‑or‑death situations every single day.

In fact, On average, two roadside workers, including tow drivers, are struck and killed every month by drivers who fail to move over.

Many tow truck drivers report near misses or being hit by passing traffic while working roadside.

These aren’t just numbers, they represent your friends, neighbors, and local workers making a living while helping others in their toughest moments.

Montana’s Move Over Law is simple and it saves lives:
➡️ Move over to the next lane if it’s safe
➡️ If you can’t, slow down significantly
➡️ Always stay alert, eyes on the road, hands off the phone

Tow truck drivers are helping someone just like you. A few seconds of caution can keep them safe.
Learn more at www.moveovermontana.org

Slow down. Move over. Help protect the people who are protecting us.

03/07/2026

MEMSA, Montana Emergency Medical Services Association

From the Montana EMS, Trauma Systems and Injury Prevention Program

Annual EMS Awards

Each year during National EMS Week the EMS, Trauma Systems and Injury Prevention Program of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services provide an opportunity to recognize exceptional Emergency Medical Services personnel and agencies. The intent of this program is to recognize both volunteer and career EMS Providers, an exceptional EMS Agency, a 911 Dispatcher who provides exceptional Emergency Medical Dispatch, an individual who makes a major contribution to EMS in Montana, and an individual who demonstrates excellence in providing pediatric EMS care and/or education.

The theme for the 2026 EMS Week is Improving Outcomes, Together. The emergency medical services system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, EMS medical directors, trained members of the public, and other out of hospital medical care providers. In Montana, we are Improving Outcomes, together.

The community, EMS providers, supervisors and managers are encouraged to be alert to the opportunity to recognize outstanding acts and performances by nominating an individual or agency for an award.

Award nominations are reviewed by a panel of EMS peers who select the award recipients. The awards will be presented at an awards ceremony to be held at the Montana State Capitol on May 19, 2026.

EMS Week is May 17-23, 2026.

Shari Graham, NRP
EMS System Manager
EMS & Trauma Systems, DPHHS
sgraham2@mt.gov
406-444-6098
406-419-9948

03/07/2026

MEMSA, Montana Emergency Medical Services Association

For decades, EMS reimbursement has depended on moving the ambulance. TIP flips that model, rewarding clinical judgment over mileage — if payers, protocols and QA can keep up: https://trib.al/zunLTDK

03/05/2026

The measure would expand the treatment options EMS agencies can bill for and lower state health care spending by reducing emergency room visits.

02/26/2026

MEMSA, Montana Emergency Medical Services Association

02/21/2026

Congress extended Medicare ground ambulance add-on payments for 23 months under the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

More details: https://trib.al/mhsIXfN