Region 2A EMS train in Chinook

 

November 11, 2015

Steve Edwards

About 35 volunteer emergency services responders gathered last weekend in Chinook for the group's annual Fall Conference of Region 2A. Ambulance crew members gathered for training and networking from Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Hill, Chouteau and Blaine counties.

While many locals were doing or thinking about big game hunting, heading to high school playoff games or just relaxing on a day off, a group of emergency services responders were training at the fire hall in Chinook. Region 2A emergency medical providers from Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Hill, Chouteau and Blaine counties were holding their fall training. The annual event moves each fall to one of the various towns and locations that make up the region in north central Montana.

Laurie Huestis, a member of the Blaine I ambulance crew, was involved in making the arrangements and promoting the event among the various ambulance crews. She said about 35 crew members attended the training which began on Friday evening and ran all day Saturday. Many in the classroom were from Blaine County ambulance crews. Attendees could earn up to 12 hours of continuing education for renewing emergency medical provider licenses and certificates.

Huestis said, "Most of the time we use members from various crews in our region to conduct the training but sometimes we invite resource speakers from outside the area. Friday night we had two policemen from the Great Falls Police Department who both have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They described their experiences with PTSD and why emergency medical providers need to be able to recognize and aid PTSD victims during an emergency." Other topics included street drugs, tactical EMS, geriatrics, dementia, OB emergencies, excited delirium and implied consent for treatment.

During a break one of the volunteers from Chester told, "Most of the material is review for us. Still, it's good to hear things again." Most attendees agreed that another of the major benefits of attending was to do some networking with members of other crews, learn how others are handling certain types of emergencies and building contacts for future information needs. Many of the crews are part of mutual aid agreements so it's important they have connections with other crews they may be called to assist.

Almost all ambulance crews, in this part of the state, are volunteers. Their willingness to devote time to train, take classes to keep their certifications current and make emergency runs at all times of the day and night is a real testament to their devotion to their task and their willingness to help others in their community.

The "Journal" thanks these volunteers, one and all.

 
 

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