South Dakota
Emergency Medical Technicians Association’s
History

Click on the years below to read about that decade ...

1990's

1990 saw Maynard Konechne once again President with Todd Nicolai, Vice President; Angela Ehlers, Secretary; Sheri Anderson, Treasurer; Paul Marso, Training Officer; Karen McDowell, Historian; and Bob Graff, Liaison. Marti Van Den Hermal received the Gary Goertz scholarship. James Allen won the Vic Steffen award. The 1990 conference hosted 664 EMT’s. Sue Christie received the Presidential award, and the Emergency Service of the Year award went to the Harding County Ambulance Service. Kevin Steever was the association’s national EMA-A representative. Statewide happenings included those of: ambulance personnel were not allowed to use blue lights; twenty EMT classes were scheduled; fifteen EVOC classes were given; basic trauma life support were becoming well attended. Semi-automatic defibrillators were not legal yet, but the laws were trying to be changed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was developing a new EMT curriculum. Air ambulances were just becoming licensed.

1991 saw as its officers Maynard Konechne, President; Susan Christie, Vice President; Angela Ehlers, Secretary; Sheri Anderson, Treasurer; Paul Marso, Training; Karen McDowell, Historian; and Bob Graff, State Liaison. The association in its 16th year was supporting automatic defibrillators, HB1271; and the Police and Firefighter Act, SB195, $600,000.00 of Health Department grant monies for ambulances and equipment. The EMT Association joined the South Dakota Fire Service Joint Council. The treasury had $18,449.57. The state approved HB1271, and EMT’s were allowed to use the automatic cardiac defibrillators. The State had 127 licensed ambulance services. This was the year a good friend of EMS, Dr. Robert H. Hayes, passed away. 1991 saw Walt Thores receiving the President’s award; Terry Bottjen, the Vic Steffen award; Meade County Ambulance, the EMS award; and Greg Beaner, the Gary Goertz scholarship.

Maynard Konechne continued as Association President in 1992 with Susan Christie, Vice President; Angela Ehlers, Secretary; Tammy Logan, Treasurer; Linda Stanford, State Training; Karen McDowell, Historian; Bob Graff, Liaison; and Kevin Steever, National Representative. The Health Department was looking for better emergency care stating the present system was strong but needed improvement. Ambulance services started receiving Health Department grant monies. Continued legislation was holding priority on EMT agendas; advanced life support, grant monies, regional medical authorities were a few of the House and Senate bills. The Emergency Medical Service Task Force was formed. The association was managing on a treasury of $9,007.64.

After the 1992 conference, which hosted 825 EMT’s and 32 displays, Betty Kaltenbach became President; Ted Ellingson, Vice President; Charles Walker, Secretary; Tammy Logan, Treasurer; Cathy Childress, Training; Karen McDowell, Historian; Bob Graff, Liaison, and Kevin Steever, National Representative. Awards received were: Vic Steffen - Charles Walker; EMS of the Year - Keystone Medical Service; Gary Goertz - Cathy Childress; Susan Schuurmans - Armour Ambulance Service.

It was in 1993 that the Health Department proposed treatment protocol for EMT’s of South Dakota. The South Dakota Department of Health supported ambulance services with $250,000 grant monies. The EMT Task Force was gaining momentum. John Jones was involving SDEMTA in helping improve overall cooperation in state programs, and the Health Department underwent a structure overhaul. Eight ambulance services received $20,000.00 grants for the purchase of new ambulances, and monies were available for defibrillators and communications equipment. Critical stress debriefing was slowly becoming a part of normal EMT care. Robert Fines was named Director of the State Health Department’s emergency training program. It was in this year 1993 that ambulance services were reminded that their fees were far below national averages. This was also the year SDEMTA members endorsed legislation presented by Montie Horn to restrict activity on lakes and streams during flood alerts. The association also began its annual Christmas Tree project, and it had $2,783.38 in the bank. 1993 also marked the first EMS Day with the legislature with over 100 EMT’s present. This was also the year proposals to develop standard treatment protocols were solicited. An association banner was purchased along with vests for the EMT booth at the State Fair. The association lost a great EMS supporter when Governor George Mickelson lost his life with six others in a tragic plane crash. Guidelines were established for conference committees. The first EMT Christmas tree was display at the Capitol. The following received awards: Karen McDowell - President’s; Kevin Steever - Vic Steffen; Armour Ambulance - EMS of the Year; Judy Dearduff - Gary Goertz; Baltic Fire and Rescue - Schuurman.

In 1994, the officers leading the SDEMTA were Betty Kaltenbach, President; Bruce Norman, Vice President; Charles Walker, Secretary; Tammy Logan, Treasurer; Kevin Steever, Training; Karen McDowell, Historian; Bob Graff, Liaison; and Kevin Steever, National Representative. This was the year training programs became available through television. The State Health Department satellited training to EMT’s over the Rural Development Telecommunications Network. Instructor trainer programs were being provided, and trauma symposiums were conducted across the state. The Special Audit Committee of Montie Horn, Maynard Konechne, and Doug Kirkus presented their findings and strongly suggested an audit of the association’s monies be continued by professionals in that business. The association at this time had $4,476.33 with bills outstanding. The association became a stronger supporter of safety belt use and assisted in a statewide survey. A team made up of EMT’s and state personnel developed emergency medical service system recommendations. Rosebud became the first South Dakota tribe to have on-site paramedic training classes. 911 number calling was becoming usable by everyone state-wide; rural addressing was being promoted throughout South Dakota. The 1994 conference with the theme Aone life is worth the effort@ drew some 900 EMT’s to Sioux Falls. Award winners of 1994 were: President’s - Chuck Bakker; Vic Steffen - Brian Hambeck; EMS of the Year - Wagner Ambulance; Gary Goertz - Daniel Wohld; Schuurmans - Armour Ambulance.

1995 saw as its officers Kevin Steever, President; Bruce Norman, Vice President; Charles Walker, Secretary; Tammy Logan, Treasurer; Terry Bottjen, Training; Karen McDowell, Historian; Bob Graff, Liaison, Terry Bottjen, National Representative. President Steever went to China on an EMT exchange program. The SDEMTA hosted an EMT visiter from Great Britain. Medicare changes became an important aspect of service billing procedures. A revised EMT-Basic national standard curriculum course was introduced to South Dakota EMT’s. Susan Christie was elected Secretary and had to resign because of medical reasons. Charles Walker was then appointed to fill Susan’s vacant position. The EMT’s continued effort to acquire personalized license plates was once again defeated. The association constitution and by-laws were changed this year at the conference held in Rapid City which hosted more than 1,000. It was learned the EMT curriculum would soon see a change called the Bridge course. This would bring old South Dakota EMT’s in line with the nation’s EMT’s. Past President Dulia Kramer was the 1,000th registered at this year’s conference. The Executive Council was still having problems with the association’s finances. The award winners for 1995 were: President’s - David Hodgson; Vic Steffen - Sharen Jenkins; EMS of the Year - Armour Ambulance; Schuurmans - Timber Lake Ambulance.

In 1996, EMT’s were introduced to the heard about Bridge course. Rob Fines, State EMS Director, was the overseer of the course that was designed to update all current EMT’s to the 1994 DOT national standards EMT-Basic curriculum. This course was mandatory for all EMT’s. Association officers for 1996 were Kevin Steever, President; Debora Jenkins, Vice President; Julie Rausher, Secretary; Mike Samsel, Treasurer; Terry Bottjen, Training and National Representative; Karen McDowell, Historian; and Bob Graff, Liaison. The newsletter was now being printed and published by the association’s Vice President, Debora Jenkins. The State Department of Health was supporting EMS grant monies with 50% funding of AED’s and communications equipment, 30% for vehicles, and 100% on extrication equipment. Sioux Falls Ambulance Service and the State Health Department hosted the first Bridge course in Sioux Falls in March of this year. Treasurer Mike Samsel created budgets and financial reports that indicated things on an upswing with over $12,000.00 in the bank. The 1996 conference was held in Pierre with approximately 1,000 in attendance once more. It was also in this year that Governor Janklow hosted a recognition picnic for EMT’s at the mansion. Mike Samsel’s records indicated that the SDEMTA had 1,340 paid members and 605 complimentary members for a grand total of 1,945 members. The by-laws were changed again in 1996.

Officers elected for 1997 were Lloyd Siemonsma, President; Debora Jenkins, Vice President; Julie Rausher, Secretary; Mike Samsel, Treasurer; Terry Bottjen, Training and National Representative; Dorothy Steffen, Historian; and Rob Fines Liaison.

Under the 1997 administration, the Association saw many challenges. Many legislative bills were stressed to be supported. House Bill 1119 provided license plates for Emergency Medical Technicians. Senate Bill 127 provided Workers Compensation for any volunteer serving as a Fireman, Emergency Medical Technician, or Rescue Squad person. This was the year of the first EMT fishing tournament held at Spring Creek Resort near Pierre. Several Bridge Courses were held throughout the state with hundreds of EMT’s trained.

The 1998 officers consisted of Lloyd Siemonsma, President; Tim Rave, Vice President; Julie Rouscher, Secretary; Mike Samsel, Treasurer; Doug Meyer, Training Officer and NAEMTA Rep.; Dorothy Steffen, Historian; Rob Fines, Health Dept. Rep. This year saw more Constitution and By-Law revisions. The annual conference was held in Sioux Falls. This conference supported a motion to place monument next to the Fallen Fire Fighters and Law Enforcement Officers at the state capitol in Pierre. Several items had to be presented to the Capital Beautification and Restoration Committee; 1) Intention, 2) Detailed Architectural Drawings, 3) Complete Measurements of the Monument, 4) Proposed Wording, 5) Proposed Location, 6) Type of Material, 7) Approximate Cost, & 8) Who will maintain it.

In 1999 the officers were of Larry Goldsmith, President; Chad Skiles, Vice President; Monica Friese, Secretary; Amy Marsh, Treasurer; Doug Meyer, Training Officer and NAEMTA Rep.; Linda Smith, Historian; Rob Fines, Health Dept. Rep. This conference was held in Pierre with Governor Janklow opening the training session. The Service Of The Year award went to the Dual County Ambulance Service. Lola Roseth received the Presidents Award and the EMT Of The Year honor. The Sue Schuurmans Award went to the Onida Ambulance Service. In November of 1999 the Emergency Medical Services Memorial was completed.

Got to the 2000's ...