An Outstanding 9-1-1 Dispatcher in Ravalli County
Montana's 911 Dispatcher of the Year is Amy Cianflone of Hamilton. She was one of an honored group of emergency medical services providers recognized at an awards ceremony at the Helena Capitol Rotunda this week.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has proclaimed May 15-21 as Emergency Medical Services Week. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) hosted the ceremony that honored EMS personnel from Hamilton, Superior, Billings, Red Lodge and Great Falls.
Amy has been at the Ravalli County 9-1-1 Center for over 20 years. Amy is also an Emergency Medical Dispatch Lead Instructor and a training coordinator. She helped develop the county's Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures, along with other training programs.
She was nominated by Lt. Zac Hudson of the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office. Lt. Hudson's nomination noted Amy's work in strengthening the county's emergency responses by giving the 9-1-1 dispatchers "an opportunity to make a difference in life and death medical emergencies before first responders get boots on the ground. During these last three years, our 9-1-1 team has made a difference in thousands of medical emergencies under Amy's watchful eye and excellent mentoring."
A Young Hero in Great Falls
DPHHS gave a special award was given to 10-year-old Jeffry Gorton of Great Falls, who called 9-1-1 when his mom was having breathing problems caused by an allergic reaction. He learned how to use 9-1-1 in first grade, and since saving his mother's life has helped teach other kids how to use 9-1-1, such as simply knowing their home address.
Also getting awards were Anita Parkin of Superior Montana Ambulance as Volunteer EMS Provider of the Year, paramedic Stephanie Rickbeil of St. Vincent Help Flight in Billings as Career EMS Provider of the Year, the late Jim DeTienne as EMS Supporter of the Year who had 40 years in EMS organizations, and Red Lodge Fire Rescue EMS Division for EMS Agency of the year.
DPHHS Director Adam Meier said there were more than 96,000 9-1-1 calls last year, saying, "EMS is the backbone element of Montana's emergency care access system. These life-saving heroes deserve a tremendous amount of recognition for the service they provide."