Phillips County EMS Hands Out Awards

Phillips County EMS Coordinator Rhei Tharp handed out a few plaques this past week to three well-deserving Malta residents.

Misty Murdick won the Phillips County EMS Community Member of the Year award for 2021.

Tharp said of Murdick, "We had switched billing companies and had a gap where no money was coming in for a short while. Misty stepped up and held a fundraiser that really saved our bacon!"

Patience Wiltse won the Phillips County Dispatcher of the Year award for 2021.

"Most counties will have two dispatchers on duty at one time. We have one," said Tharp. "Patience is gold for us. She is as solid as they get when it comes to coordinating with other counties, sheriff's offices, hospitals, and the EMS service all at the same time."

A third plaque was given to the longtime Medical Director for the EMS, Dr. Edwin Medina, as a "thank you" for your service and dedication to the EMS program for 20 years.

Tharp said of Dr. Medina, "He has been a lot of help over the past 20 years. We were lucky to have one person in that position for that long. Most counties don't get that lucky."

In other EMS-related news, the Chopped contest scheduled for this month is postponed. The EMS crew will look to get it going in September. The fundraiser will be a big boost towards their goal of getting a much-needed new four-wheel-drive ambulance.

Tharp also told the PCN that calls have been up this year so far. During the last few years, the PC EMS crews have averaged 310 calls per year. As of now, they have had 170 calls. A majority of those being motor-vehicle accidents.

Due to this increase, they are looking to get more people involved in the EMS and EMR program. They are looking at holding an EMT class later this fall.

Tharp also said that he is working with Montana State Representative Casey Knudsen on getting EMS declared as an essential service. As of right now, 11 states have done so.

"Right now, cities are required to have police and fire services," Tharp said. "Ambulance service is not required. I don't know how Phillips County would handle not having EMS service, and we've been close to having to shut down a couple of times in the last few years."