New EMT Class Graduates from Dahl Memorial; Strengthening Rural Emergency Care
New EMT Class Graduates from Dahl Memorial, Strengthening Rural Emergency Care
In January 2025, Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association (DMHA) launched an ambitious initiative to strengthen emergency medical services across eastern Montana: a locally hosted Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training course.
The 12-week course, held four days a week, was led by Program Director Travis Doggett, DMHA’s EMS Director, and Lead Instructor Rebekah Hopkins, a seasoned paramedic. The course welcomed nine students from Ekalaka and surrounding communities, each committed to developing the skills needed to serve their neighbors in times of crisis.
Students were trained in lifesaving techniques, trauma response, airway management, and emergency decision-making through a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on skill labs. Throughout the course, DMHA’s current EMTs supported training, creating an environment where students received near one-on-one guidance while giving experienced EMTs an opportunity to sharpen their own skills through mentorship.
The course culminated in a realistic Multiple Casualty Incident (MCI) simulation—a staged multi-vehicle crash involving several mock victims. This high-stakes training gave students a taste of the pressure and complexity of real-life emergency scenes, including triage, managing chaotic environments, and coordinating with other agencies like fire and rescue.
All nine participants successfully completed the program and are now gaining real-world experience through ride-along shifts with Miles City Fire Department as they prepare to take the National Registry EMT exam.
“We’re building a system that rural Montana can rely on,” said EMS Director Travis Doggett. “This course gives people in our community a path to serve, and it gives our region a deeper bench of trained responders when every minute matters. These students aren’t just graduating a course—they’re becoming part of the solution.”
These new graduates represent more than a training milestone—they are a vital investment in the health and safety of our rural communities.
At Dahl Memorial, we recognize that fast response and expert care in the field are critical for saving lives. When emergencies occur, local EMS professionals are the first to arrive, often stabilizing patients and transporting them to the hospital. For critically ill or injured patients, our hospital team steps in to further stabilize and coordinate transfer to higher levels of care—frequently by ambulance.
That’s why we’re committed to growing a core group of highly qualified EMS professionals right here in Carter County and across eastern Montana. This training program is a key step
in building a reliable pipeline of talent to support emergency response and interfacility transfers across the region.
By investing in people, training, and leadership, we’re helping ensure that when minutes count, help is already on the way.
Pictured left to right: Scot Wilson, Jake Eshelman, Emily Oconnell, Reta Malenovsky, Kaily Neary, Travis Doggett, Rebeka Hopkins, Matt Hambright, Tegan Williams, Christian Ashbrook, Josh Norris