EMS

RLFR EMS DIVISION

If you or a loved one ever faces a medical emergency, rest assured, you’re in good hands. The EMS Division team includes skilled paramedics as well as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who are usually ready at a moment’s notice. They provide a level of care that’s not often found in communities our size.

Red Lodge EMS provides:

-911 medical response at a BLS to critical care level including:

-medical emergencies

-CPR, Strokes, and other time-sensitive emergencies

-motor vehicle accidents

-structure fires

-search and rescue

-mental health emergencies

-other accidents and trauma-related calls

-Interfacility transfers

-EMT, EMR, CPR, and first aid education

-Event standbys

-Community Paramedicine

-Support for other Divisions and agencies

VOLUNTEERS IN EMS

Volunteers

We offer the following volunteer opportunities in the EMS Division:

-Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

-Advanced EMT

-Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

-Paramedic

-Driver (no medical license reqiredd)

If you are not currently licensed, we offer EMT level classes annually and EMR classes when demand and capacity allows. We are happy to take people that are already licensed in Montana as an EMR or above.

Being a member of EMS and being “On Call”

EMS is the most demanding division at RLFR in terms of call volume, responding to almost 700 calls a year. One-third of these calls for service are patient transfers from Red Lodge to Billings, a round trip of at least 3 hours. EMS volunteers are self-motivated and driven to serve the community. Our average volunteer fulfills over 400 on-call hours (about 3 shifts a month), responds to over 3 calls a month and attends over 40 hours of training annually. Meetings and trainings are held on Wednesday evenings, so having this time available in your schedule is important.

We request that members sign up for on-call shifts. Typical call shifts are 12 hours although you can sign up for shorter periods of time. You can make these work with your schedule and sleeping quarters are available at the station. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for events and do work around the station and in the community.

Training and Benefits

We have a robust continuing education program with training opportunities at least 3 Wednesday per month. Most of these trainings are designed to be compliant with NREMT requirements for recertification. Others focus on scenarios, specific skills and Red Lodge EMS procedures.

Active EMS members receive a monetary stipend for calls, transfers, and standbys. Additionally, to show our appreciation for the many hours members put in, our members are eligible for our incentives program. As a member, you and your family have access to the camaraderie of a great group of people, our gym, pre-training meals, Peer Support, and more.