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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.
Three Crew Members in an ARCH Medical Helicopter Crash
Three crew members in an ARCH medical helicopter were injured Thursday night when it crashed on takeoff during a training exercise in Hartford, Illinois. The crash was shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday April 24th, 2025 as the helicopter was taking off from the Hartford fire station, according to Air Methods. One of the crew members suffered a back injury. One had a head injury, and one had back, neck and head injuries. Two were taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital and one went to St. Louis University Hospital. All were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
The occupants were with ARCH Crew 1 out of Granite City, according to Air Methods, which runs ARCH Air Medical Service.
Firefighters put out a fire on the helicopter after the crash.
Hartford police Chief Matt Asbury said the helicopter went down on a vacant lot next to the fire house and police station. No one on the ground was hurt, Asbury said.
There was no patient on board during this training exercise. This shows the risk that all of Montana’s EMT’s, Paramedics, Flight Medics and Flight Nurses take everyday to be there when we need them the most.
Are You Seeking to Establish Your Company as a Compassionate Organization?
Are you seeking to establish your company as a compassionate organization? Do you prioritize the well-being of your employees and the communities you serve? Do you recognize the invaluable sacrifices made by Emergency Medical Professionals who risk their lives to save others? If so, we invite you to consider becoming a corporate sponsor of the Montana Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation.
Our mission is to construct Legends Park, a Memorial dedicated to honoring the ultimate sacrifices made by emergency medical professionals in Montana. Regrettably, our list of EMS pre-hospital care providers who have made such a profound sacrifice is expanding rapidly. By becoming a sponsor, you can contribute to ensuring that their memory is preserved for generations to come.
Your sponsorship will not only honor these dedicated individuals but also serve as a testament to your company’s commitment to making a positive difference. By sponsoring a section of Legends Park, trees, bench, the lake, a memorial pillar, or other designated area, you will immortalize your company’s name alongside those who have given their lives to save others.
Additionally, your donation will be recognized on our contribution wall, which will be prominently displayed at both entrances of the Legends walkway. As a 501(c)3 certified foundation, every donation is fully tax-deductible.
For more information, please visit our website at https://www.mtemsmemorialfoundation.org or contact us via email or phone. We eagerly anticipate your contributions and ideas.
MT EMS Memorial Foundation is in need of a used Ambulance!
This ambulance will tour the State of Montana to raise awareness of the foundation and our cause. To raise awareness of the sacrifice that Montana’s Emergency Medical Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, Flight Paramedics, Flight Nurses, Physicians and Pilots are ready and willing to make every day in order to save our lives. Montana EMS Memorial Foundation is dedicated to honoring the sacrifices the professionals make and honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. All Montanans can honor them too by making a donation and sign their names on the ambulance. Your name will be displayed on the ambulance permanently showing your support for our EMS Professionals. Individuals, families, companies, Departments, anyone can sign their name on the ambulance.
The agency donating the ambulance will have their name displayed as the donor of the ambulance for recognition of their contribution as well as the foundations name. The ambulance will ultimately be placed on permanent static display in Legends Park for all to see. So, if you have an ambulance that you’re going to retire and are interested in donating; contact us for more details.
Special Thank You to Metro Aviation
With a very special Thank you to everyone at Metro Aviation https://www.facebook.com/MetroAviation we are so happy to let everyone know the our webpage http://www.mtemsmemorialfoundation.org is now live. Please feel free to visit our new webpage to see what we are about, what we are doing, how you can help. Learn more about our wonderful Sponsors and most of all to visit with those who have been honored, who made the ultimate sacrifice. Don’t let those who are at the ready 24/7/365 be the Nameless, Faceless Medics. Let them know that you care.
For the next few days our webmaster will be fine tuning some items and pages so please bear with us.
133 Years of Saving Lives
With over 133 years the staff at Benefis Health System, https://www.facebook.com/BenefisHealthSystem has been saving lives and taking care of their Montana community 24 hours a day 365 days a year. We have never know such a dedicated group that cares about their community, it is what makes each and everyone of the Benefis Health team the number one healthcare organization in Montana. Several of the Benefis health care team has made the ultimate sacrifice to save a complete strangers life, it is who they are and most importantly what they do, day in and day out every day, because everyone matters to the Benefis Health Care Team
We are proud and honored of the care that Benefis provides to Montana and wanted to share that the Montana emergency medical Services memorial Foundation this week received a very nice donation for the building of legends Park where we will honor all of those in the EMS field who gave their life in the line of duty to save another’s life.
Building Legends Park — One Community at a Time
Did you know, that no matter where you look there is an EMT, EMR, Paramedic always waiting to be there when you need help be it On an ambulance, firetruck, ski patrol in a hospital, construction site, sporting event, concert and so much more. We are always at the ready when you need us. We are now asking for your help. Spread the word about Legends Park. Tell your friends to follow our Facebook Page or our Instagram page. Call us, Message us, Email us and find our more. Donate to help us build this Memorial Park. There is so much that we can do together to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Remember everyone of us involved is a volunteer to make sure our brothers and sisters in EMS are Never Forgotten.
Legends Park, Whatever It Takes 2025
A Legacy of Learning: Scholarships for the Children of EMS Heroes
Losing a Loved One is a horrible feeling and a terrible burden to a family; especially when the Loved One has been lost in the line of duty.
We, are thinking past that, and as much as we all wish, hope and pray it will never happen it does. One of our Board members Ms. Katie Boyce is the Director and Lead Instructor at the finest EMT school in the Pacific Northwest. Ms. Boyce volunteers her time on the Board of Directors to stand by all of us in the Emergency Medical Services field. That being said and again as much as we hope it will never happen, But if it does, Should the EMS Provider has a Son or Daughter who wants to follow in their footsteps, they can, Thanks to Ms. Boyce, with a full scholarship to Inter mountain Medical Educators. All that needs to be done is apply to Montana Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation. Should you have a desire to help people and want the best education in the EMS click on the link below, visit them at https://www.montanaemt.com/
Legends Park: A Place to Reflect, Remember, and Rebuild
Did you know……………………………….
That Montana Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation has big plans in addition to The “Legends Park?
- 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
This is just a few of the services We will provide in the event of a Line of Duty Death. All without cost to the Family, Agency or Department. We are 100% volunteer & 100% of all donations go to provide these services for our EMS Bothers & Sisters as we are all family no matter what name is on our doors.
To all those that support past & present First Responders, Thank you for being there for us.
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)
WE DID IT!!!!
The Internal Revenue Service stated and I quote “We determined you’re exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3)” and those who donate to our foundation can deduct contributions they make to Montana Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation under IRC Section 170
So, Lets get Legends Park started.
LEGENDS PARK IS OUR GOAL FOR 2025, “WHATEVER IT TAKES”
In 2018 President Trump signed bill 115-275 into law authorizing a EMS Memorial to honor & recognize the commitment, service and sacrifice of First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedic’s, & Flight Medic’s who made the ultimate sacrifice to save someone’s life. Now we are going on 7 years and still nothing has been done. We, Montana Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation are going to change that. WE are going to build a park in Montana and our goal is to have it completed by late 2025, to honor those who served and lost their life in the line of duty.
EVERYONE in this foundation is volunteering their time to be a part of this wonderful project. Our goal is simple, To build this memorial park, which will also be educational to help the visitors to our park learn more about Emergency Medical Services and what we do. 100% of every donation goes towards the building of this park, there are no paid employees or staff.
So should you know of a Montana EMS provider who lost their life in the line of duty LET US KNOW.
Stay tuned, follow us, SHARE our page with everyone and
help where you can
“Whatever it takes 2025”