EMS Extras

EMS Hero Inspires Daycare CPR Training

A Mitchell daycare provider saved the life of Declan Hobbs because she was trained in CPR. The family became EMS champions and created a CPR/AED training fund. Sharing their story and collaborating with local partners is elevating emergency readiness in Mitchell.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the events that inspired the promotion of CPR/AED training for daycare providers
2. Explain the process for developing and awarding the funds
3. Highlight the value of collaboration for increasing emergency readiness in the community
   

Speakers:
Ashley Hobbs
EMS Champion
Mitchell Resident and Mother of Declan

Brandon Manchester
Firefighter Paramedic
Mitchell Regional Ambulance Service, Emergency Education Associates

Ryde Central Supports Interfacility Transfers

Transferring patients between healthcare settings is a challenge in rural areas. The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is supporting Ryde Central integration through EMS Regional Service Designation award funding. Ryde Central is an advanced platform used to optimize transportation, reduce costs, and elevate patient care.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the need to optimize patient transfer
2. Explain the process for integrating Ryde Share
3. Highlight the benefits and best practices for those utilizing the Ryde Share advanced platform

Speakers:
Mary Adams
HRET Project Director
South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO)

Todd Sheridan
Vice President
Ryde Central

Community Programs for Children’s Safety and Injury Prevention

The South Dakota EMS for Children believes every child deserves a safe environment to grow, learn, and play. Their programs engage and empower the community and EMS with knowledge and tools to prevent injury and ensure the wellbeing of children.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the SD EMSC safety and injury prevention program
2. Explain how the programs impact positive emergency outcomes
3. Highlight best practices and lessons learned for promoting safety and injury prevention

Speaker:
Corolla Lauck
Program Director – SD Emergency Medical Services for Children (SD EMSC)

Camp Med and Continuing Education Promote EMS Careers

Northeast SD AHEC brings healthcare careers to life for students through Scrubs Camp and Camp Med. These exciting, hands-on programs give middle and high school students the chance to step into the shoes of healthcare professionals. In addition, their EMS Continuing Education page is a go-to resource for high-quality training opportunities to keep EMS skills and knowledge up to date.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the role of the Northeast South Dakota Area Health Education Center for promoting health careers
2. Explain the process for bringing Camp Med to a community
3. Highlight the impact of youth programs and continuing education for building the EMS workforce

Community Development through Endowments and Grants

The South Dakota Community Foundation brings philanthropy to life for a stronger South Dakota. They support the management and growth of donated funds to impact the state for generations. Communities benefit from their expertise and the support from giving, grants, and scholarships.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the initiatives and services of the South Dakota Community Foundation
2. Explain the different models for community-based sustainable funding
3. Highlight key programs and services available to support community philanthropy

The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) has helped people reach their philanthropic goals, strengthened communities and nonprofit organizations across the state for over 38 years. Strengthening and sustaining the EMS infrastructure is among the list of areas benefitting from SDCH programs and resources.

“I know through my work at SDCF, EMS is the safeguard our communities rely on in their most at-risk moments,” shared Ginger Niemann, senior program officer for the SDCF.

Jeff Veltkamp, director of development, agrees, “As the survivor of a heart attack, I am uniquely aware of the importance of EMS in South Dakota.”

Working with communities and nonprofits across the state is an opportunity to create positive impact.
“Supporting and sustaining EMS means ensuring that every community—rural or urban—has the capacity to respond, recover, and thrive,” emphasized Niemann.

Ginger Niemann
Senior Program Officer

Jeff Veltkamp
Director of Development

Hub Stations Support EMS in Spink County

Rescue squads in northern Spink County provide valuable support to the ambulance service in Redfield. Under the medical direction of the Spink County Ambulance, these hub stations use the a shared EMS support application and extra equipment to provide basic life support until transport arrives. The team hopes to scale up the model to improve EMS response across the county.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the Spink County Ambulance service area
2. Explain the purpose and benefits of the rescue squads in Mellette/Northville
3. Highlight lessons learned and plans for extending the hub station model in Spink County

Build Dakota Partnerships Promote EMS Workforce Pipeline

The start of second semester means college visits and career decisions for high school seniors.  Build Dakota offers full-ride scholarships for students pursuing high-demand technical programs.  EMS careers are among the programs offered and industry partnerships can help meet workforce needs.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the scholarship program and industry partnership opportunity
2. Explain the process for supporting and hiring a scholar
3. Highlight timelines and key steps to support and secure a scholar

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“Strengthening and sustaining South Dakota’s EMS system is vital to the health and stability of our communities, especially in rural areas. EMS professionals are often the first line of defense in emergencies and supporting them means investing in community safety and long-term resilience. My goal is to help ensure that EMS careers are attainable, supported, and valued across the state.”

Deni Martin
Program Manager – Build Dakota Scholarship

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“The Build Dakota Scholarship is a game-changer for students pursuing in-demand careers in South Dakota. By committing to work in the state for three years after graduation, students earn a full-ride scholarship that lets them focus on their future–not their debt. At the same time, it helps businesses and communities access skilled, job-ready talent and offers employers a smart, affordable way to grow their teams.”

Melissa Waldner
Business Partner Specialist – Lake Area Technical College

Tax District Development Supports Mitchell Ambulance Service

EMS for rural areas surrounding Mitchell, SD, were at risk of ending. The development of the Hanson Davison tax district provided funding to support a fifth ambulance and the paramedics required to continue services.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the previous funding structure and shortfall for Mitchell EMS
2. Explain the how a tax levy will support ongoing services in rural areas
3. Highlight key strategies for passing the development of the new tax district

Dan Pollreisz
Former Battalion Chief of Fire and EMS
Mitchell Fire Department

Amy Storm
Ethan Fire Department

Creating EMS Opportunities in Beadle County

Ambulance services from four communities joined forces to create a non-profit focused on recruiting, training, and retaining EMTs in Beadle County. Collaboration is creating impact!  Joint efforts have led to funding for new equipment, EMT trainings, and increased awareness of EMS careers.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the Beadle County EMS service area
2. Explain the purpose and goals of the nonprofit group
3. Highlight the value of collaboration and key activities for advancing EMS in Beadle County

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“Serving in EMS in SD isn’t just a job — it’s a commitment to your hometown, your family, and your friends. Every call reminds us why strong local EMS systems matter.”

David Jensen

Emergency Manager – Beadle County

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“Even in our small rural service area, the types of calls we respond to vary greatly and impact the lives of our neighborhood so deeply.  It is truly an honor to be there for them in their time of need.  Creating a stronger workforce with adequate equipment is critical in supporting the mission of caring that I see from EMS responders on every call.”

Caroline McGillvrey
EMT Volunteer – Wolsey EMS

Community EMS Cadet Program

Engaging youth to contribute to community services in rural areas can be challenging. Lemmon developed a cadet program to teach EMS skills and promote the local EMS team.  Webster is seeking to implement a similar program to engage their youth.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the Lemmon Cadet Program
2. Explain the process for promoting and implementing the program
3. Highlight efforts to duplicate the program in Webster

Speakers:

• Chris Goldsmith
  Lemmon EMT Association
• Bradley Derschan
  Lemmon EMT Association
• Gavin Sannes
  Day County Ambulance Service

Equitable Sustainable Funding and Community Fundraising

Sage Project Consultants received EMS RSD funding to build data dashboards and monthly reports so ambulance services can better monitor and implement quality assurance/ quality improvement interventions. This data can be used to negotiate equitable funding streams from government agencies and other stakeholders. Sage also developed a South Dakota-based outreach and funding toolkit and compiled a list of grant opportunities for ambulance services to apply for special projects, equipment, training, or other priority needs.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Explain how to use your data to tell a story
2. Describe how one county used their data to secure sustainable funding streams
3. Review the South Dakota EMS outreach and fundraising toolkit
4. Provide a list of EMS grant funders

Speakers:

• Sharon Chontos
  Owner/Partner – Sage Project Consultants
• Justin Faber
  Data Scientist/Analyst – Faber Analytics

Sharing EMS Resources to Reduce Burden

Mobridge Hospital worked with area communities to secure funding for education and equipment through the Regional Service Designation awards.  Ongoing collaboration is providing opportunities to identify solutions for EMS challenges and barriers.

Speaker Objectives:

1. Describe the role of Mobridge Hospital as an EMS collaborator
2. Explain how collaboration contributed to EMS RSD awards in multiple area communities
3. Highlight best practices and lessons learned for continuing to advance improvement

“When I started working on this project, the importance I put in strengthening and sustaining EMS was mostly self-interested. If a loved one or I had a medical emergency, local EMS professionals would be the heroes to respond. The more I’ve dug into this project, though, the more I see strengthening and sustaining EMS as something much larger than my little circle.

This project is giving some of the most generous, service-minded people in my community the tools they need to make a difference and to do so without sacrificing their own health. It’s celebrating, supporting, and educating others about EMS careers in the hope that future generations will be able to benefit from strong community-based and service-minded EMS systems too.”

Haden Merkel
Philanthropy Engagement Coordinator – Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics