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Step into the heart of Montana’s EMS community — where courage, compassion, and commitment are more than words. From behind-the-scenes stories to the journey of building Legends Park, our blog is a space to honor the fallen, celebrate the living, and share the mission that drives us forward.

WE NEED YOUR HELP, READ THIS NOW>>>

We Need Your Support
We need your support. Although we are all volunteers working to build Legends Park, we still need money to support the Foundation and build Legends Park. We are working on buying an ambulance which will tour the State for our supporters to sign. This ambulance will ultimately be on static display in Legends Park. We need to buy the land to build the park. Not to mention the cost of phone service, web hosting, email hosting, and more. Please help us continue this charge to build Legends Park and honor our fallen Legends. They deserve to be remembered forever. Scan the QR code or go to this link to make a donation today. https://givebutter.com/NllNM5

Honoring Michael Rich
All of us here at Montana Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation want to remember and honor Michael “Hamster” Rich. His nickname was “Hamster” because for such a big man he could get into and out of small and tight spaces, climb up pipes and was always able to get to where he was needed just to do his job. Michael was the Chief of the Twisted R Ranch Public Safety Department and had an extensive career in Law enforcement, Firefighting as well as serving in the Emergency Medical Services as an Emergency Medical Technician. His whole life was driven to protect others. One day Michael was on duty as a Law Enforcement Officer and came upon a house that was fully involved in fire. Michael called for the Fire Department but knowing that they would not be there in time he went in and rescued the homeowner and her dog. Michael performed CPR on the home owner until the Paramedics arrived. The home owner and her dog survived this horrific event and is alive today. Michael was honored by the National Police Hall of Fame for saving the home owners life. The truth is, this is who Michael was. Michael laid down his life so that a stranger could live. He knew the risk and still gave everything he had to save someone’s life. He was 30 years old when he passed, just 2 weeks after his little brother passed in the line of duty. Michael left behind his Mother and 2 Sisters. Michael’s last tour of duty was September 21, 2021. Michael was also honored by the state of Montana, as they flew the state flag over the Capitol building in Helena Montana and planted a tree on the Capitol grounds in his honor. We know that Michael is with his little brother Brian working on Gods EMS crew to this day watching out for his brother and sister Firefighters, Paramedics and Police Officers who serve those of us in need here on earth. Michael was the second honoree to be named in Legends Park. Michael will always be in our hearts and memories.
View YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyH5vHPmkpo
Today we are Honoring Michael Rich, the second honoree into Legends Park.

Honoring Brian Rich
Our Executive Staff decided to offer a short video of our honoree’s that have earned the right to be a part of Legends Park. Our CEO funded this project in order to always remember, honor and say thank you, you will not be forgotten. We want to thank Brian’s Mother for providing some special photos of her son so that we all can get to know what a special man he is.
View the video on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmcJaSrvvKw

Get A Little Caesars Meal Deal Code & Support the Foundation

Kansas Paramedic Experienced Experienced Cardiac Arrest while responding to an emergency call!


Montana Governor Greg Gianforte EMS Week Proclamation

National EMS Week 2025

Honoring Metro Aviation – EMS Week 2025
In following up our last post yesterday, We felt that during EMS Week we thank those who believe in the importance of our goal to build Legends Park in Honor of our EMS brothers and Sisters who we have lost in the line of duty
The Metro Aviation family Based in Shreveport, Louisiana https://www.metroaviation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MetroAviation who is no stranger to being a huge part of the Emergency Medical Services as everything they do is all about #safety and saving lives.
Sadly, they also know the heart breaking feeling of losing EMS crews in the line of duty and still, you can count on them to be there when you need them.
Metro Aviation was incorporated in 1982 as a helicopter charter, flight training and maintenance operation. Their entry into the air medical service business came in November 1983 with two used Hughes 500-D model helicopters, when Metro Aviation entered into a long-term agreement to provide helicopter ambulance service for Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Metro Aviation now has air medical transport operations throughout the United States. The Metro Aviation logo will be placed on our Recognition of Contribution wall in legends park honoring our corporate sponsors.
Earlier this year Metro Aviation made a very generous donation to our Foundation to cover the complete design , creation and publishing of our webpage at https://www.mtemsmemorialfoundation.org on this special week we wanted to Thank you Metro Aviation for your generous donation, we could not have done it without you.

Honor All Who are Part of EMS – EMS Week 2025

Honor Twisted R Ranch Public Safety Dept. – EMS Week 2025

Honor Benefis Health System of Great Falls MT – EMS Week 2025

Honor Cascade Farmer Rancher City Volunteer Fire Department – EMS Week 2025

Move Over when you see flashing lights on the roadside!
Protect the First Responders who protect you. MOVE OVER if you see flashing lights on the roadside. BESIDES ITS THE LAW!!!!!!!

A Paramedic/Chief Operations Officer involved in a fatal, head-on collision

Missouri Firefighter Paramedic dies after being stabbed in ambulance by patient

EMS Week May 18th – 24th 2025

Three Crew Members in an ARCH Medical Helicopter Crash

Are You Seeking to Establish Your Company as a Compassionate Organization?

MT EMS Memorial Foundation is in need of a used Ambulance!

Special Thank You to Metro Aviation

133 Years of Saving Lives

Building Legends Park — One Community at a Time

A Legacy of Learning: Scholarships for the Children of EMS Heroes

Legends Park: A Place to Reflect, Remember, and Rebuild
- A Bereavement fund to help out the family in this tough time
- A Scholarship for the Son/Daughter of the Family for EMT training
- Honored in Legends Park
- Ceremony at Legends Park
- Support staff for the family
- Funeral planning assistance
- Honor Guard to stay with the family to assist as needed
- Assistance with counseling with the family/Department or Agency

Inspiring the Next Generation of EMS Heroes
Montana’s young people are watching — and what they see in today’s EMS workers might shape their future. That’s why education is at the heart of Legends Park. From EMS themed playgrounds to real ambulances on display, the park is being designed as an interactive, inspiring space where kids can dream of one day becoming lifesavers themselves.
Programs are being developed in partnership with schools, EMT trainers, and volunteers to make sure children can not only play, but learn. With scholarships already in place for the children of fallen medics, the Montana EMS Memorial Foundation is committed to building futures, not just remembering the past.
When we build Legends Park, we aren’t just honoring the dead — we’re empowering the living.

We Did It!! Officially IRS Approved 501(c)(3)

LEGENDS PARK IS OUR GOAL FOR 2025, “WHATEVER IT TAKES”