Our Town 2011

Our Town Upper Valley's Finest

uvsj.com

2011

Photograph courtesy William Little

For generations, thousands have proudly called

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Rexburg their home town. Over the years, the

of community with all who call this treasured place

progress and changes have been significant, but

their home. Rexburg Idaho...“The Sky is the Limit!�

one thing that has never changed is our pride and community spirit. It is our extended hand of friendship that has welcomed and inspired visitors from every corner of the globe to this unique valley in the shadow of the Tetons.

From the publisher

I

am thrilled with thi s year’s edition of Our Town. It features the upper valley’s finest men and women, the first responders to emergencies. Their stories are especially poignant as we just passed the 35th anniversary of the Teton Dam disaster.

This is the 13th year that we have published Our Town, and this is our best edition to date. Our theme was determined based on the many news reports of natural disasters that have occurred recently in the United States. One night I was watching the national news, I saw a report of a sheriff’s deputy who was out helping tornado victims. When he was finally able to return to his “dream” home two days later, he found it totally destroyed. This story made me think about the selfless acts that so many first responders do in the wake of a disaster. I knew then that we had to honor our local heroes.

Table of contents

Pg. 4: Jamey Hymas, Dispatcher Pg. 6: Jim Smith, Police Chief Pg. 8: Margie Harris, Crisis Center Director Pg. 10: Bart Quayle, Deputy Sheriff Pg. 12: Dave Fausett, Volunteer Firefighter Pg. 14: Bryan Hammar, ER Physician Pg. 16: Ron Sykes, Search and Rescue Pg. 18: Corey Child, Fire Chief

We are so lucky to live in the upper valley, and I appreciate the safe feeling I have every day because of our local law enforcement, firefighters, quality doctors, search and rescue teams, and others.

I hope in some small way this year’s Our Town offers a sufficient level of appreciation for all of their efforts.

Enjoy reading their stories.

Kristy J. Geisler, publisher Standard Journal Newspaper www.uvsj.com

Pg. 20: MIshelle Montano, Police Officer Pg. 22: Kena Ricks, EMT Pg. 24: Cameron Stanford, Sheriff's Lt. Pg. 26: Tauna Egan, ER Nurse Pg. 28: Andrew Sorensen, Conservation Officer Pg. 30: Jared Willmore, Patrol Corporal Pg. 32: KImber Dameron, Flight Paramedic Pg. 34: David Ivey, Firefighter Paramedic Call for an appointment today 208-359-5600

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Our Town 2011

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3

Jamey Hymas "It is nice being involved with the community. There are a few things I would not like to be involved with, but it's part of every job."

Occupation: Dispatcher Hometown: Rexburg Family: Mateo (son)

Who are you going to call? Dispatchers!

Story and photo by SHANON SELF • sself@uvsj.com

W

hen an emergency takes place and someone calls 911, the stranger that answers the line on the other end may not actually be a stranger. The dispatcher is a fellow member of the community.

Jamey Hymas, 35, has worked as a member of the Madison County Dispatch for four years.

Born and raised in Rexburg, he attended and graduated from Sugar-Salem High School in 1994. Later, he attended Ricks College for a couple of semesters.

In 1997, Hymas married Cindy Beltran and then had a child, Mateo, who is now 9 years old. Tragically, Cindy passed away in 2003. Hymas now lives in Plano with Mateo and says he has no reason to leave the area and enjoys it here.

When he is not working, Hymas enjoys being outdoors. He likes to golf, run, go camping and hiking. He recently participated in the Teton Dam Half Marathon.

As part of the dispatch, Hymas says he has grown and benefitted from the experi-

Our Town 2011

ence.

"I'm much more willing to talk to people, (more) open. It's just easier," Hymas said. "It gives you a little more confidence.

There's a lot of communication over the radio and on the phone and most of that is public record as well as your radios. A lot of people have scanners so they can listen to you, so there's confidence that way."

Hymas said he has also developed more independence because he works alone a lot of the time.

"It is nice being involved with the community," he says. "There are a few things I would not like to be involved with, but it's part of every job."

He says he enjoys the jobs most days. As part of the dispatch, Hymas has received the opportunity to be involved with charity events and says his favorite event is "Shop with a Cop." "'Shop with a Cop' is really rewarding for me, not just the children, but really rewarding for me," he said.

Part of the job Hymas does not like is

working night shifts. With a smaller sized community, the majority of the time, there is one person running dispatch.

"You're kind of in control of your environment. You're kind of a secretary, but you're kind of in control of what's going on out and about. It's nice to be able to help the people and help your officer find the information."

While Hymas may not enjoy working night shifts, the longer and less frequent shifts allow him to spend more time with his friends and family.

One thing Hymas said he would like the community to know is how to use 911. He said there is a fine line, of which cannot be defined, but people need to learn what is and is not an emergency.

He said sometimes people may not call 911 when they are in a car accident because no one was hurt, but that can still be considered an emergency because other drivers may run into them. He also gave the example if someone has a stroke, they should call 911 and not drive the person themselves

because that is a time sensitive issue.

Hymas also wants members of the community to understand how 911 works.

"A lot of people don't understand regardless of whether their cell phone is locked or whether it's a cell phone they're not using anymore, but still has a battery in it, that calls 911," he said.

The dispatch is required to take every call and call back people who hang up after dialing 911.

"It's a very time consuming thing just because you felt it was a toy," he says. "It's not a toy until you've taken the battery out.

Once you've taken the battery out, you can give it to your kid."

So recognize when it's an emergency and when it is not, and don't hesitate to call if it is.

Dispatch members are also part of the community just as Jamey Hymas is.

Someone is always on the line. Each member is more than ready to help and the best person to call during an emergency.

5

Jim Smith Occupation: St. Anthony Police Chief Hometown: St. Anthony Family: Peggy (wife), 12 children, 11 grandchildren

When he is on patrol in his vehicle, his duty as a first responder comes often as he’s on the scene quickly to fires, ambulance calls and accidents, as well as criminal complaints.

From the big city to a small town Story and photo by JOYCE EDLEFSEN • jedlefsen@uvsj.com

T

he call comes in, and Police Chief Jim Smith listens closely.

He says “umm” and “oh” a few times, then asks a few questions. He’s all business, caring but not condescending. He promises to get help to the caller as soon as possible.

The call was not to report a burglary or rape or other violent crime — except to the fluffy victim. It was a complaint about an aggressive tomcat that had attacked a pet rabbit and was trying to attack the person making the call.

Compared to his last job in Los Angeles County (population 9.8 million) Smith doesn’t have the types and numbers of calls concerning serious crime in St. Anthony (population 3,447).

But he responds or assigns someone else to respond just the same. Instead of arriving with gun drawn, the officer in this case might show up with a trap and a plan for capturing the problem.

Smith had been working in law enforce-

ment for many years when he started the job in St. Anthony July 1, 2006. He worked for 19 years in the L.A. County Sheriff’s Office, 11 of those years as an Army M.P. reservist.

Before that he was on active duty as a military policeman for the Army for 11 years.

Luckily, he says, “Nothing has happened here that I haven’t seen before,” he says of his experience in the public safety business.

He’s been a patrol office, an investigator, an administrator and team leader and a trainer. He also served as a regional welfare specialist for his church in the Riverside, Calif., region. He holds a master’s degree in public administration.

He had been trying to get out of Los Angeles for some time when a friend (Clay Hill) who had moved to St. Anthony told him of an opening in the police force. One of his daughters was attending Brigham Young University-Idaho at the time, and he has ancestral ties to the Ashton area, where his great-grandparents are buried.

So he applied for the job and was hired.

He developed an interest in law enforcement as a young boy in Pasco, Wash., when a friend’s dad, a state trooper, took him and his friend for a ride in his patrol car through the rural Washington countryside, lights flashing and sirens wailing. “I was hooked,” he says.

Now nearing the end of his career, Smith continues to enjoy the challenges and rewards of the job and what attracted him to the career initially: — Providing service to the community to keep people safe.

— The ability to use skills and training to help solve problems.

— A chance to do an important job that requires a lot of decision-making ability as officers make judgment calls daily.

— A chance to record events for the public record, as a kind of mobile secretary.

When he is on patrol in his vehicle, his duty as a first responder comes often as he’s on the scene quickly to fires, ambulance calls and accidents, as well as criminal com-

plaints. His job then is to act as an incident commander. He is responsible for securing the scene, getting people to safety, administering first aid — until firefighters, ambulance personnel or other officials arrive — and making sure no further accidents occur.

In his five years in St. Anthony, the most prominent case his department has handled involved the rape of a 10-year-old victim.

Officer Terry Harris’s doggedness helped in the conviction and sentencing of the offender, Smith says, in the case that drew national attention. Domestic violence cases seem to be relatively high in the city, as do the number of statutory rape cases, the chief says.

While every city, no matter how big or small, has its own problems, most of what he and his officers do is routine patrolling.

Whatever goes on in St. Anthony, Smith and his officers are there watching over the town and making sure people are safe and law-abiding.

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Our Town 2011

7

Margie Harris Occupation: Family Crisis Center Director Hometown: Wilford Family: 6 children and 15 grandchildren

"If I make sure I am skilled and am doing the best job I can with a family, and I'm focused on their needs at the time; then I can be sure that down the road it will have helped."

Making a difference every day Story and photo by RACHEL SNOW • rsnow@uvsj.com

F

irst Responders often have restless nights of sleep. Their selfless motivations and focal concerns have to go beyond their own personal needs in order to save people in high-stress, emergency situations.

Margie Harris has been serving Fremont, Madison, Jefferson and Clark counties for the past 16 years as a first contact in emergencies involving domestic violence and sexual violence through the Family Crisis Center.

Before her service with violent incidents, she initially began a career as an emergency medical technician (EMT). For 15 years she road in ambulances in the region, learning valuable emergency skills through the intense situations she encountered daily.

As an EMT, she also learned how to gain the trust of the people in her community, while gaining respect for those who worked along side her.

Harris first began her service for victims of domestic and/or sexual violence as a volunteer long before the Family Crisis Center

originated.

"Initially I worked on a strictly individual basis with victims of domestic violence way back before there was any agency," said Harris. "It was just me and a friend. We figured out that within Fremont County there were people that needed to be saved, and so we did that for a few years."

The two offered their names and contact information to law enforcement officials, and then began volunteering time, resources and even their homes to victims. For several years, they were the main point of contact and support for victims.

In her current position as executive director, Harris ensures the Family Crisis Center runs smooth by supervising employees and 18 volunteer advocates, governing administrative paper work and writing grant proposals.

Along with her administrative duties, she still continues to do the work she has always been devoted to. When she can, she interfaces directly with victims, finding this to be the most fulfilling part of her job.

Sometimes the fulfilling nature isn't verbally known to staff, but realizing the difference this work can have on someone's life gives her the impetus to wake up with fresh motivation to help another person get a better their situation and life.

"Very seldom do we get to see the results or see what impact we've had on someone's life," said Harris. "I've learned that I just won't know, and that's okay. If I make sure I am skilled and am doing the best job I can with a family, and I'm focused on their needs at the time; then I can be sure that down the road it will have helped.”

Harris added that she is grateful for her job, because it is something that she would have done as a volunteer if this career opportunity hadn't presented itself.

"The best thing is the potential to make a difference everyday for people," said Harris.

"I still feel like I can make a difference in people's lives."

The greatest struggle with her position as executive director involves the center's grant proposal applications.

"If I don't compete well on grant applications, it could mean the difference of whether victims are going to get served here in this area or not," said Harris. "That pressure of doing the absolute best and not making a mistake, not leaving anything out, is the hardest part. It's also getting harder and more competitive to receive government grants."

With an experienced leader like Harris, families within the four counties can be sure they have a safe place to go to with people who know how to help. The law and coordinated response in the communities have come a long way.

"We've come so far from where we were back before there was an agency," said Harris.

"It's something to get up for every morning.

I like to see how we can help people help themselves, by educating them, getting them in a better place and helping them make better, more informed, choices."

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Our Town 2011

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Bart Quayle All in a days work for the deputy Story and photo by KELSI JONES • kjones@uvsj.com

R

ushing to the scene of an accident, saving a life, catching the bad guys — it's all in a day's work for Fremont County Deputy Sheriff Bart Quayle.

“It just seemed like a fit,” he said, when asked why he chose a career in law enforcement.

“I've had a lot of positive influences,” Quayle said. “My dad is a Vietnam veteran, and my grandpa is a World War II veteran.”

Quayle also has uncles who are volunteers for the fire department, where he volunteers on the side as well.

His job as a deputy calls for many different responsibilities. Especially since the Fremont County Sheriff's Office dispatches for all of the emergency services in the county.

“Our dispatch picks the phone up for

fires, for ambulance calls, for any law enforcement calls and even for search and rescue,” Quayle said. “As a rule, our deputy sheriffs respond right off the bat. It's not uncommon for us to be the first on scene at fires, at ambulance calls — you name it.”

Quayle said the sand dunes and water ways in Fremont County are a source of many of their frequent calls, adding that ambulance calls about sand dune accidents are one of the most common they receive when the summer season starts.

Due to the large stretch of highway running along the county, traffic accidents also occupy a lot of the officer's time.

“It can be sunny down here, but icy roads in Island Park. So we spend a lot of time running up to traffic accidents,” Quayle said.

Some of Quayle's most memorable calls, however, include those that have involved children.

“Anytime you work with kids, that always seems to stick out, especially if it turns out well, and you save a life or something like that,” he said. “I remember an ambulance call in particular where a small child was choking on a hot dog. We ended up having to do CPR, and we ended up saving him. But that one always seems to stick in my mind, probably because I have my own kids now.”

According to Quayle, who grew up in St. Anthony and knows many people in the community, the most difficult thing about his job is making sure to be fair and consistent while enforcing the law, especially when it comes to relatives or family friends.

The best thing about it, he said, are the other officers and everyone else he works with.

“The guys I work with are just great,” he said. “I have a lot of good leaders and good people that influence me.”

Quayle has 12 years of field experience.

Six of those years were spent at the St. Anthony Police Department. He also spent a short time working security at the Idaho National Laboratory. However, Quayle prefers working closer to home.

“I love being here in this community,” he said. This is where I want to retire.

Hopefully I can do a good job and they feel like I am earning my pay.”

"Our deputy sheriffs respond right off the bat. It's not uncommon for us to be the first on scene at fires, at ambulance calls - you name it."

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Our Town 2011

11

Dave Fausett "We’ve got. . . people with a wide range of knowledge and they bring that to the fire. And it’s a wonderful thing because we’ll get there and these guys bring their work with them to the fire."

Occupation: Volunteer Firefighter Hometown: St. Anthony Family: April (wife) and 1 child

Volunteer firefighting: making the sacrifice Story and photo by MATT EICHNER • editor@uvsj.com

I

t’s a family tradition now in the Fausett family of volunteering in the fire department.

Dave Fausett followed his father and older brother into the firefighting fraternity in 1985, and even his grandfather worked at the old pump house in St. Anthony.

“I kind of grew up here,” Fausett said.

Still, when he applied to work and his name came up for consideration to join the South Fremont Fire District, Dave had his doubts.

“I didn’t think I would actually get in,” Fausett said from a well-worn chair in the living room at the station.

His father, Swede, served for more than 40 years. His older brother, Steve became a member of the department in the mid 70s.

“I kind of thought that would work against me,” Dave said.

It didn’t, and he has been fighting fires on an on-call basis ever since. He even was able to serve as department chief for eight years until January of last year, all while working his regular job, which is also just

as important. His real job is head jailer at the Fremont County Sheriff’s Department.

But when he gets the call to go out to a house on fire, that’s when the excitement begins.

As a volunteer, every expense that is personal like gas for his pickup to get to a fire, comes out of his pocket. And as a group of volunteers, there are some obstacles to become the best department they can, like getting everybody together for training.

But once they get to the fire, the volunteers have an advantage that maybe a normal crew of firefighters wouldn’t have.

“One thing that we overlook is on the volunteer fire department, we’ve got electricians, we’ve got carpenters, we’ve got mechanics, people with a wide range of knowledge and they bring that to the fire,” Fausett said. “And it’s a wonderful thing because we’ll get there and these guys bring their work with them to the fire.”

He said that electrician can turn off the breakers at a house, and knowing how a house is put together can help to find the

source of the fire quickly.

But fighting the fire is where the danger, and the fun, comes into play.

Fausett has had plenty of experiences when it comes to fires. For the most part, the department is called out to brush fires, when a ditch fire gets a little out of hand and starts racing for a structure.

“It’s remarkable how quickly they can get to structures,” Fausett said. “The wind never starts blowing until that fire gets going a little bit.”

But when he is in a structure fire, there can be all kinds of tough situations.

“Probably the worst thing that ever happened to me, we were in a crawl space under a house trying to get to the scene of the fire when I hung up on a nail on my airpack, and I couldn’t reach it,” he said.

“I couldn’t move forward and I couldn’t move back.”

Fortunately his partner in that situation was able to get to the nail and extract him as the fire was growing.

And he recalled another fire he was

fighting at another firefighter’s house, which led to a legendary situation that still has them laughing.

“I was up in a bedroom on an attic ladder, and I was on this attic ladder trying to get behind a wall when the ladder tipped.

I knew I was going to fall, it just happened that quick, so I aimed for the bed. I had the whole turnout gear, the airpack on and everything else. Well the bed happened to be a waterbed, so when I hit that on my back, with the tank on I couldn’t roll over to get off. So, I’m laying on my back, I’m looking like a turtle, and the firefighters that were in the room with me, took the opportunity to make that they all saw it, and then they would all run downstairs and say, ‘Guys come up here, take a look at this!’

So I was a while there before somebody would give me a hand to help me off that waterbed.”

See Volunteer firefighting, page 31

23 South 1st East | Rexburg | (208) 356-5441 Our Town 2011

13

Bryan Hammar "It's a different level of skill that you have to possess to work at in the ER. When I'm facing down someone that needs immediate critical care, and I can give it well while communicating with the family and running a team of nurses, it's just really satisfying."

Occupation: ER Physician Hometown: Rexburg Family: Ruth (wife) and 6 children

Caring for others, one emergency at a time Story and photo by BRADY DAVIES • bdavies@uvsj.com

G

rowing up in Rexburg, Dr. Bryan Hammar always hoped his career choice would allow him to care for others. “I always had a feeling I should be taking care of people,” said Hammar. “It's just in my nature.”

However, Hammar's hope did not become a goal until he left Idaho for two years to serve as a missionary in Peru.

Hammar said his experiences with the Peruvian people and the simple medical advice he offered as a young man helped solidify his desire to pursue a career in medicine.

After his mission, Hammar began the long journey through an undergraduate program, medical school and residency.

Hammar received his MD, and in 1999 returned to his Idaho roots, purchasing a medical practice in Rigby.

While Hammar's practice has flourished, he has not devoted all his medical attention to his clinic. Since returning to the upper valley, Hammar and a group of local doctors have contracted with Madison

Our Town 2011

Memorial Hospital to work in the emergency room. Inspired by his time working ERs in Iowa as a resident, Hammar leaves his busy clinic several days a month to work 12 hour shifts in the ER. “It's a different level of skill that you have to possess to work at the ER,” said Hammar. “When I'm facing down someone that needs immediate critical care, and I can give it well while communicating with the family and running a team of nurses it's just really satisfying. I see crazy stuff in my clinic, but it doesn't compare to what I see at the ER.” On a regular basis the ER sees patients from car accidents, sand dunes accidents and farming accidents. It sees heart attacks, strokes, sick babies and college kids doing who knows what, and that's just barely scratching the surface.

As an emergency room physician, Hammar heads a large team of nurses, radiologists, phlebotomists and others. It is his job to make sure every patient that comes into the ER receives the best treatment pos-

sible, therefore placing a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

This responsibility requires Hammar to take quick action and decide the best treatments, medications and ER staff to work on a patient. “Most of the time we know something about the patients before they get to the ER. But sometimes it's cold turkey, and people just show up at the door,” said Hammar. “You just never know what you are going to see.”

The long hours, quick decisions and enormous responsibility all contribute to the very intense nature of the ER. However, the thing that gets to Hammar more than anything is having to deal with tragedy involving young children and infants. “The hardest thing for me is to see small children or babies injured or sick,” said Hammar.

He recounted a handful of cases involving children he's dealt with at Madison Memorial, some of which did not have the happiest of memories. Yet, while the sad memories brought Hammar close to tears he remained optimistic. “Even in those

really rough days, sometimes you get a hug from a mom or something like that,” said Hammar. “You just have to say, 'well it wasn't going to work out, but we did our best.'”

Through his experiences at the ER, Hammar has gained wisdom many people in authority positions can appreciate.

“Respect the nurses. If you take care of them and respect them, then it comes back to you,” said Hammar. “If you are friends with those you work with, they are gonna grab you when something is happening.”

Hammar's call to respect coworkers has indeed been wisdom in his case. One of his favorite things about working in the ER are the people he works with. “Other than the incredible satisfaction of having a great job, the best thing about working here are the nurses, staff and all my colleagues.”

Whether he is taking care of a sick baby or patching up an injured motorist, it's safe to say that Hammar successfully achieves his goal to care for others every single day.

15

Ron Sykes "We looked for two days before we found him. He was alive, dehydrated and sunburned but alive. Have you ever seen grown men crying?"

Occupation: Search and Rescue member Hometown: St. Anthony Family: Carla (wife) and 4 children

Search and to the rescue Story and photo by JOYCE EDLEFSEN • jedlefsen@uvsj.com

S

ince he was a teenager, Ron Sykes has been dedicated to helping and saving others through the Fremont County Search and Rescue Unit.

He began as a junior member in high school, inspired by three uncles who were members.

“As long as I can remember I’ve had family members who were involved,” he says.

He was a member for four years then, and after a stint away from the area, he moved back to St. Anthony and rejoined the unit in 2006.

He works a day job in Rexburg as a maintenance man for Melaleuca, but he joins the unit as often as he can. Sometimes the demands of the Search and Rescue team require him to miss work in order to search for people or rescue them from precarious situations.

He operates a snowmobile for winter operations and uses the machine frequently.

He is also a certified open water diver, a certified swift-water rescuer (one of 13 in

the 35-member unit) and a certified first responder.

On top of that, he has training in avalanche victim recovery and in global positioning system operations.

In Fremont County all of those skills can come in handy for finding and rescuing residents, or visitors in trouble.

His motivation: “The main thing is being able to help.”

The camaraderie of the unit is another motivating factor for Sykes to continue to serve as a member of the Fremont County Search and Rescue.

“We’re like a family — brothers and sister,” he says. “We’re a tight-knit group.

We look out for each other even outside of the work.”

Recently several unit members helped out a member’s girlfriend’s family sandbag some property, for example.

In the course of his years as a member, one of the most memorable of many searches was also one of his first.

The unit was called to Harriman State

Park north of Ashton to look for a missing 2-year-old who had wandered away from his family.

“We looked for two days before we found him,” Sykes says. “He was alive, dehydrated and sunburned but alive. Have you ever seen grown men crying?”

Sykes comments that he has had similar experiences. He says, “It makes you feel so good inside; you can’t imagine. And it’s especially good if it’s a little kid.”

He also recalls a more recent incident where he used his diving skills to help recover the body of a young boy who drowned near Keefer Memorial Park in St. Anthony. He was overcome with emotion, he says, when the boy’s mother hugged him in thanks for his role in the search.

Experiencing the joy of finding someone alive together and the pain of dealing with death are two reasons the group members are so close, he says.

Joining the group means having the commitment to do a variety of jobs and sometimes using vacation time from work

to participate. Having an understanding family is important because incidents often happen on holidays and weekends.

“You have to be pretty dedicated and flexible enough to drop everything,” he says.

There is stress involved. It’s time consuming. There are sleepless nights and the potential for having to deal with tragedy.

On the other hand, participating can be highly rewarding in helping someone in need, particularly if you have helped save a life.

Sykes is so sold on the benefits of belonging, he has encouraged his son, Wes Brown, 17, to get involved as a junior member.

“I hope it gives him the skills he needs when he’s outdoors,” Sykes says. And being trained as a junior member makes him ready to become an adult member, becoming another generation of members.

“My family has been very supportive of it,” he says, “But my wife worries a lot when we’re out on searches.”

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17

Corey Child

Firefighting commander in c Story by JOSEPH LAW • jlaw@uvsj.com Jacob, 13, and Austin, 10.

The family moved to the Rexburg area in Sept.

2008 when Child came to fill the position left by retiring Fire Chief Spencer Larsen.

“We're a very outdoorsy family, but also enjoy the finer things of life like classical music,” Child said.

“My boys all play the violin and two of them also play the piano. On the outdoor side of things we're sea kayakers, open-water kayakers.”

Having moved here from Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska near Juneau, they miss being near the sea.

“But here we have the large lakes, such as Yellowstone,” he said. “There are lots of lakes to play in with our kayaks, just not the open water, kayaking with the whales like we did in Alaska.”

He said the family also loves to back pack.

Born in Whittier, California, Child grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles called La Mirada.

He later moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University and graduated in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations.

He got into fire service through an early interest in the outdoors coupled with a desire to help others in need.

“In college I began working for security at BYU and we got a lot of medical calls and I realized I didn't have the training,” he said. “So I began taking an EMT class. At the same time, because of my love of the outdoors I began taking a lot of rock climbing and mountain climbing.”

Those interests led to his 10 year involvement Standard Journal/Matt Eichner with the volunteer search and rescue team in Utah County. ire Chief Corey Child said fire departments exist At the time he worked at the Sundance Resort. to respond to hardships whatever the cause of the A year out of college, the resort management approached incident may be.

“There are very few professions where 100 percent of him about attending firefighter training because the place what you do is respond to another's hardship, but that's needed a fire station.

“So they said: 'We will pay you to go to fire school,'” he what we do. We're called upon to fix the hardship, make it go away — make it better. We realize that when some- said. “That began my career in fire. I just absolutely loved one calls 911 we may not know the complexity, but we're and was enthralled with the first fire class I took. And since expected to resolve that concern. To that end we train that day, I haven't stopped taking classes and being further and we'll continue to train in the hope that we'll resolve educated in fire.”

Child said firefighting is a profession where you're the problem, whether it be the earthquake, the flood, the house fire, the downtown fire or the wildland fire. enlisting to be a student for the rest of your life because there is so much to learn and do.

Whatever it may be.”

“I soon became the assistant fire chief at Sundance and Child and his wife, Lisa, have three sons, Benjamin, 18,

F

18

was there for a number of years and absolutely loved that part of my career.”

He said he is fortunate to count Robert Redford as a friend and commented on his favorite movie featuring the actor and resort owner.

“Because I worked at Sundance for so long, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” is probably just a classic favorite of mine,” Child said.

After leaving Sundance he became the fire management officer in Utah County and spent a year working on wildland fires.

Then he shifted gears and moved to southern Utah to manage Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

But there was another place that needed a fire department.

“We stayed for three or four years, “ he said. “We thoroughly loved our southern Utah experience and starting a fire department in an area with a need. The need was filled by volunteers and it was a spectacular job down there.”

Then, in 2005, the family was off to begin their Alaska adventure where Child managed a national park lodge.

While there, he also served as chairman of the board for the local fire department.

“We left Alaska not because we didn't like it there,” he said. “We loved living there for all the reasons that people love to go there: it's beautiful and remote. “But we also had to leave for all the reasons people can't live there.”

Those challenges included the lack of extracurricular activities for their sons and the need to fly out for medical care and even for music lessons.

“So we found this opportunity here in Rexburg,” he said. “And although we were very excited to come here, we were very sad to be leaving Alaska. But we knew that it was time for some change for our children so they could have some great opportunities in their formative years before they graduated from high school. I think my wife and I would agree that we're done moving for a while. We moved so that our kids could have some roots. We intend to fill that goal.”

He said the Madison Fire Department is a microcosm of the local community, from Archer to Sugar City.

“From the day that I hit the ground running, my first day on the job here, I was very, very impressed by the camaraderie and the unity between the full-time staff andthe paid-call staff,” he said. “To take a quick measurement of that, when I first got here I was very impressed that both worked so well together and that said so much about the

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chief community. ...We had a group of folks who were willing to give to a community they really loved and that status — serving their neighbors, serving those that they live in and among — it's a close-knit department and their passion for what they do is reflected through their service.”

Standard Journal/Joseph Law

Occupation: Fire Chief Hometown: Hibbard Family: Lisa (wife) and 3 sons Our Town 2011

Mishelle Montano Occupation: Police Officer Hometown: Rexburg Family: Robert and Mary (parents)

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Up and coming responder Story and photo by HYRUM HANSEN • intern@uvsj.com

A

s a new and upcoming officer in the Rexburg Police Department, Officer Montano loves serving the people of rexburg. She works as a safety officer and her job responsibilities, among other things, currently include checking for parking violations and crosswalk violations.

Even though it's one of those monotonous jobs that some citizens get annoyed with, and not every officer likes to do; officer Montano recognizes that it has to be done. She says she loves her job.

While Officer Montano works her way up the force, she has had and has a lot of people to look up to. One of the driving forces behind her decision to go into law enforcement was her father. Growing up in California, she was inspired by her father's example as he selflessly gave to the commu-

nity and served the public as an officer of the law. "I realized he wasn't just enforcing the law he was trying to make his community better,” said Montano. “I want to be like that."

An early experience that contributed to helping her decide she really enjoyed law enforcement was while she worked at Shasta County Adult Probation Center.

“My first real experience with law enforcement occurred during my second week at the probation center. I had a gentleman in my office and was supposed to get a DNA sample for him. I handed the sampler to the guy and instructed him what to do.

He looked at me and simply replied 'no'. I was dumbfounded and didn't know what to do, so I walked down the hall to the probation officers there and they just gave

the gentleman a 'you do it or else' look,” said Montano.

“I learned that there are times when people are going to try to get under your skin by not showing you the respect you deserve. You just have to act bigger than you are sometimes."

Montano's college experience also influenced her and helped her on the way to choosing her career. She mentions a few professors that made an impact on her. Specifically Duane Adamson, Jeremy Lameroux, and Bob Inama.

"I learned a lot from them. Brother Lameroux, Brother Adamson and Brother Inama helped shape me in my college years,” said Montano. “They might be the most intelligent professors I've ever met.”

Now that she's in the force she really

enjoys her job and looks up to the officers around her. Not only is she a trained and capable first responder, Montano is confident the Rexburg Police Department is poised and prepared to respond to any emergency.

“You will never see a second-rate officer or detective here,” said Montano. “We have a really good department."

In her short two months with the Rexburg Police Department, she says what stands out to her the most is the positive influence she's had on younger people.

"When little kids see you in uniform they kind of admire you a little bit,” said Montano. “Seeing that they want to do what's right from such a young age and to be able to encourage that as they get older is extremely rewarding. I love that.”

"People are going to try to get under your skin by not showing you the respect you deserve. You just have act bigger than you are sometimes"

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21

Kena Ricks Occupation: EMT Hometown: St. Anthony Family: Craig (husband) and 6 children

"Running on the ambulance is my sanity break. It gives me a chance to go do something for somebody else, at anytime of the day. I love knowing that I made a difference."

The woman who does it all Story and photo by THERESA Rogers • intern@uvsj.com

K

ena Ricks is a hardworking woman.

As an advanced emergency medical technician (EMT), a dental assistant, a farmer, a wife and a mother Kena Ricks has her hands full.

Ricks remembers being a kid and watching the EMTs at the high school football games. These instances inspired Ricks to want to be the one tearing up the country roads under the bright ambulance lights.

More importantly, she wanted to be the person that was helping people, because that, more than anything else, is what she loves to do. She cannot imagine a better job than the one she has now.

However, Ricks did not start off doing what she imagined. At the beginning of her professional life she was a dental assistant.

This lasted for 12 years, and it was not until after she had two twin boys that she decided to become an EMT. "I couldn't afford to work because daycare cost more than going to work as a dental assistant," said Ricks. "So a year after I had my twins, I started taking the first

responder classes."

After Ricks' first year of classes, she accomplished her initial goal and became a certified first responder. Then, during her second year on the job she became a basic EMT. A year later she was offered the opportunity to become an advanced EMT. Today, Ricks' job requires a lot from her, even in the little things.

"Whether it’s a wreck, a heart attack, a stroke, or something simple like a bicycle accident, they need us," Ricks said.

While Ricks enjoys the opportunity to help a person in need, being an EMT can be a rather stressful and saddening job.

As a first responder, part of an EMT's job description is being first on the scene to see the devastation and death on a tragic accident. She may not be able to peform heart surgery, but as an EMT Ricks offers the first line of medical help to victims of terrible accidents. Sometimes it is the fast acting procedures of an EMT that end up saving a life. Sadly, Ricks and any EMT cannot save everyone.

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"Running on the ambulance is a high stress thing," Ricks says. "I am a very big believer in my religion. If I didn't know what I know, I couldn't run on the ambulance because we see a lot of death and that would be very hard to deal with."

When Ricks isn't running the ambulance and saving lives, she is at home spending time with her family and herself.

Ricks enjoys gardening and playing baseball with her family. Her and her husband play on a coed team. They also camp, fish, hunt and target shoot.

The family also does a lot of biking and running. In fact, Ricks and her husband participated in the Teton Marathon where they completed the 5K. Due to the demanding nature of Ricks' job, it does sometimes get in the way of her personal life. Because accidents can and do happen at any moment, she could be called during one of her kid's baseball games or while they are eating dinner, but her family is supportive of what she does. The family even helps her if she is not aware she is

needed.

Running on the ambulance is a thrill according to Ricks. Not just the rush of the vehicle, but the fact that someone other than her family needs her help.

"Running on the ambulance is my sanity break. It gives me a chance to go do something for somebody else, at anytime of the day,” said Ricks. “I love knowing that I made a difference and hopefully made a difference in somebody's life.”

Ricks understands her job. She knows the qualities and duties needed to accomplish what she wants to do, save lives.

"It is very fun and awarding, but it is also hard sometimes," said Ricks. "We've had some bad calls that I still close my eyes and see the call, see what's wrong with the patient, and it's awful. But the good ones out number the bad ones."

Although Rick's job seems stressful and heart-aching, she enjoys her job. She enjoys riding in the ambulance and being able to help those who can't help themselves.

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Cameron Stanford "Once I got into law enforcement, I found a love for community policing and working with people and different agencies."

Occupation: Sheriff's Lieutenant Hometown: Sugar City Family: Wife and 4 children

Safe and secure at home Story and photo by RACHEL SNOW • rsnow@uvsj.com

L

ieutenant Cameron Stanford has

been serving as a law enforcement officer for 15 years, and is a vital asset to the overall safety and security of the members of surrounding communities.

He earned his bachelors degree in criminal justice and sociology, and is just three classes away from earning his masters in public administration.

He first began his service to the region as an officer for the Rexburg Police Campus.

After working within this division for five years, Stanford moved to the sheriffs office. In his time there he has managed to become Madison County's Lieutenant of the Sheriff's office. He has served at this post for the past 10 years.

In his current position, Stanford has several major responsibilities involving the homeland security for the county. He oversees paperwork to the state and as the grant manager for the sheriff's office is constantly applying for different grants.

In fact, he writes grants for personnel and equipment for the county, just to name

a few.

On a seasonal basis, Stanford deals with flooding issues. He constantly works with other first responders in the county and surrounding counties to ensure everyone is prepared should disaster strike.

His strong support and love for the region is obvious as he devotedly serves with all the expertise and effort he has acquired over the several years of experience under his belt.

"The best part is working with the community," said Stanford. "I enjoy being able to attend different events in the community and represent the sheriff's office locally and throughout the nation."

Along with the many county duties he holds, Stanford acts as a resident deputy for Sugar City where he and his family reside.

In this role, he is given the responsibility to work closely with Mayor Glenn Dalling and the Sugar City Council on several city issues.

He also stands as the liaison between the hospital and the sheriffs office, responding

to the security contract the office has with the hospital. On top of that, Stanford also acts as Sugar-Salem Junior High School's resource officer.

When he isn't constructing grants and dealing with Homeland Security, Stanford explained he is busy responding to different calls ranging from barking dogs to major felonies.

As a first responder, Stanford must and is always prepared for every and any type of emergency situation the community presents. The pressure for Stanford to be absolutely correct in each situation is immense, but brings a lot of joy to his life.

"Once I got into law enforcement, I found a love for community policing and working with people and different agencies," said Stanford.

Through the multiple tasks Stanford involves himself with, he continues to provide incredible services to the counties between Rexburg and Sugar City. One major yet inconspicuous contribution he's made deals with grants. He saw a need for

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basic police equipment and knew he had to make a change to the previous funding system.

“When I started we did not have video cameras in the patrol cars and now we do with the assistance of grants,” said Stanford. “A lot of departments don't like grants because they don't understand them.

I have worked hard to familiarize myself with the ways the grants work and have been able to bring in a lot of new equipment and deputies because of the grants."

Besides all the new equipment and personnel Stanford has brought to the sheriff's office, he has also helped them purchase three newer patrol cars with grant money.

These additions to the force help update the fleet with no extra money coming from the county.

Lt. Cameron Stanford deserves a special thanks for the intelligence and skill he graces the community with as he continues to spend his life protecting the community he loves.

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Tauna Egan "You just never know what's going to come through the doors. We have to know how to handle whatever does."

Occupation: ER Nurse Hometown: Rexburg Family: Howard (husband), 5 children and 7 grandchildren

Nursing the upper valley back to health Story and photo by BRADY DAVIES • bdavies@uvsj.com

E

ven as a young child Tauna Egan always admired the nursing profession and aspired to become a nurse.

However, her mother had different plans.

Instead of starting a nursing program after high school, she attended beauty school.

Then, while preoccupied with hair and makeup, Tauna met her husband, Howard, and they started their family. From the outside looking in, Egan's dream of becoming a nurse seemed to fade away, yet her childhood aspirations remained deeply rooted.

Several years later, Egan and her husband were preparing for the birth of their fifth child. They realized she would have to start working again to help provide for their large family. Together, the Egan's decided there would never be a better time for her to go back to school and fulfill her lifelong dream.

Egan completed a two year nursing program in 1995 and immediately went to work at the cardiac unit in Idaho Falls.

As much as she loved her time there, the constant commuting from Rexburg

was too much for her and the family.

When a nursing position at the emergency room of Madison Memorial Hospital arose, she jumped on the opportunity. She has worked there since 1997.

During her time as an ER nurse, Egan has, to be simple, seen it all. On a regular basis, she helps treat emergencies ranging from sore throats to serious car accidents.

“You just never know what's going to come through the doors,” said Egan. “We have to know how to handle whatever does.”

Egan related several memorable experiences at the ER including babies being born in the parking lot, and even a woman who brought her fingers in a glove after losing them to a lawn mower.

One experience that required fast action and quick preparation occurred a few years ago while Egan was working a night shift at the ER. At about 4:45 a.m. she heard the dispatcher report a serious accident involving a bus load of Taiwanese students traveling to Yellowstone National Park. Without hesitation, Egan called her boss at home.

“Our disaster plan was implemented,” said Egan. “By the time the ambulances came in at 5:15 a.m. we had plenty of doctors and nurses ready to go.” The ER ended up treating 10 critically injured patients that morning. Some did not survive, but Egan and the rest the ER staff's quick preparations and actions may have saved others.

While any career that deals with emergencies will see its fair share of tragedy, there is also that much more joy when situations end happily. On another occasion, a choking little boy was rushed into the ER. His jaw was clamped shut and was blue by the time he arrived. The rapid response of the ER doctors, Egan and her fellow nurses allowed them to open the boys mouth, remove the hot dog and ship him down to Salt Lake City for further treatment. Within a week the mother of the boy brought the healthy child into the ER. “ I just lost it because we don't get to see the outcome of our actions very often.

We ship them out and usually don't hear a word,” said Egan. “When you do get to see

a patient get better, that's my favorite part.”

Along with the joy of helping those who come into the ER get better, Egan spoke about the camaraderie she has with the entire ER staff. “My coworkers and I are really great friends,” said Egan. “We trust each other and always have each others back.”

Egan also mentioned how much of a support her husband is when the intensity of the ER starts to get to her. “There are many times when my husband picks me up from work and I say, 'I need to talk,'” said Egan. “He just lets me unload.”

Tauna Egan is a wife, mother of five and grandmother. She is also a registered nurse with a lot of experience under her belt.

When asked what she wanted residents of the upper valley to know about Madison Memorial's ER, all she had to say was, “We are very, very lucky in this community to have the nursing staff and specialty doctors we have. People can feel confident coming to this hospital.”

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27

Andrew Sorensen "I believe the appreciation for wild places and wild things was instilled in me from my parents at an early age. I always knew that I wanted a career that would let me get hands on with wild animals.."

Occupation: Conservation Officer Hometown: Rexburg Family: Merilee (wife) and 3 children

Born to protect and conserve Story and photo by THERESA ROGERS • intern@uvsj.com

A

ndrew Sorensen is a Senior Conservation Officer with the Idaho Department of Fish & Game.

Stationed with the Rexburg patrol in the Upper Snake region, Sorensen has been a Fish & Game officer for the last five years.

Conservation Officers are Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified, which means Sorensen is a highly trained law enforcement officer who is familiar with wildlife resources and is dedicated to protecting them.

As a Conservation Officer, or "Game Warden," Sorensen is primarily responsible for “enforcing the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to hunting, fishing, trapping and fishing in the state of Idaho”.

On a regular basis, Sorensen conducts patrols to detect crimes against wildlife and wildlife resources. He is in constant contact with sportsmen, checks licenses and tags, verifies permits and even bag limits.

“The biggest perk is getting to work in the beautiful Idaho outdoors everyday.

As eastern Idahoans, we really do live

in a unique and remarkable place,” said Sorensen.

Sorensen’s love for wildlife and the outdoors during his childhood led him to become who he is today.

“I believe the appreciation for wild places and wild things was instilled in me from my parents at an early age,” Sorensen said.

“I always knew that I wanted a career that would let me get hands on with wild animals.”

Sorensen initially wanted to be a wildlife biologist, but feared it would take him away from his home and family. Instead, he trained to become a conversation officer.

However, even the position Sorensen holds was not easy for him to obtain.

“I wasn't the best student, but I worked hard in high school and college to achieve my goals. I made some important contacts in college, one of which was District Conservation Officer Doug Petersen works as a supervisor in Driggs,” said Sorensen.

“Doug helped me gain focus with my career interests. He also helped me to take

the right steps to becoming an officer.”

Along with the protection of wildlife and wildlife resources, conservation officers are involved in the community. Sorensen participate in the Hunter Education Program with his fellow officers where they teach new hunters the skills needed to be ethical and successful when hunting.

Officers also assist the Regional Wildlife Biologists to conduct population surveys, trapping and relocating of animals. As well as dealing with sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in order to get them the help they need. Officers work with local landowners to address depredation problems that may occur.

“In Rexburg I find myself busy throughout the entire year controlling the moose that wander through town and take up residence in backyards,” Sorensen said.

Earlier this month, Sorensen helped in the protection of two bear cubs. The cubs appeared to be orphaned, so Sorensen worked to conserve the cubs and bring them to a specialist who will raise them

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until they are old enough to be on their own.

Something Sorensen and all conervation officers work to eradicate is poaching.

"It's a crime," said Sorensen. "For citezens who report poaching, they can remain anonymous and recieve a monetary reward."

While Sorensen is a Conservation officer looking over the safety of animals, he is also a father looking over the safety of his family.

Sorensen has a wife and three beautiful children. He enjoys spending time with them more than anything else. Other hobbies include running, hiking, backpacking, exploring new areas, reading good books and occasionally casting a fly rod into Rexburg’s local streams and rivers.

Conservation officers are on contant call. Of course this is not always convenient, but Sorensen said that his family is very supportive of his job.

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Jared Willmore Caring for the community Story and photo by KELSI JONES • kjones@uvsj.com

L

ife in the Madison County Sheriff's Office can be a little slow. However, at the same time life can be fastpaced, and exhilarating.

“It's a very exciting job,” said Madison County Patrol Corporal Jared Willmore.

“Each day is different — you never know what's going to be in it.”

Willmore, who has been working in law enforcement for nearly eight years, said that it was always something he was interested in. Prior to his current position over crime prevention and community policing, Willmore worked for two years in the jail as a detention officer.

“I love about 95 percent of my job,” he said. The part I don't like is to see the negative side — people that get hurt, the

injuries, the effects of drugs on people, or impaired drivers who make a poor decision and affect the lives of many other people — but it's also the part you feel good about if you can prevent that.”

The Madison County dispatch center is located in the sheriff's office, so 911 calls reach the dispatch center first, and are then sent to the fire department, ambulance, or wherever they need to go.

“We hear it as soon as it comes in,” Willmore said, emphasizing the benefit that their constant training offers in emergency situations. “You're trained how to respond, and how to handle a situation when you get there, so you don't cause more chaos, and you can kind of manage that situation.”

Typical emergencies Willmore is called to include car wrecks, vehicle or house fires, reckless driver situations, impaired driver situations, lost children, civil complaints and child custody exchanges.

“It's a very wide variety of responses,” he said.

Due to the nature of the job, Willmore receives many negative phone calls, requiring him to assist in painful situations.

“You see a lot of people being hurt. ...

The thing that kind of motivates you is that if you are out there being proactive, you can make a difference,” he said, adding that it feels good to know that he is helping to keep dangerous people off of the streets.

Because of that negativity, the most memorable experiences in Willmore's mind are those that end with a positive outcome.

Willmore said he enjoys teaching people to prevent crimes or how to prevent injuries, through various programs the sheriff's office participates in, in order to be involved with and inform the community.

He enjoys “educating the citizens on 'this is why you shouldn't be a distracted driver,' or 'this is why impaired drivers are so dangerous' — even talking to cub scout groups about bicycle safety. ... The best thing is when you are really able to help someone, and make sure they are taken care of.”

"You're trained how to respond, and how to handle a situation when you get there, so you don't cause more chaos, and you can kind of manage that situation."

Occupation: Patrol Corporal Hometown: Rexburg Family: Beth (wife) and 3 children

Volunteer firefighting Story and photo by MATT EICHNER editor@uvsj.com Continued from page 13 When Fausett served as the chief, he found it was an eye opener. There’s so much paper work now to be filed with the state after every fire, that it can be very time consuming. But the toughest part is that he can’t rush in to fight a fire. Now that he’s not the chief, there’s a big difference.

“I’m smiling a lot more now,” he says. “It’s quite time consuming if you’ve got another job.

You’ve got to find that balance between your home life, your work life and here.”

And he will keep smiling for as long as he can.

“When you put that airpack on and go into a working fire,

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you can be scared and excited all at the same time,” Fausett said. “You get a feeling of great accomplishment when you save something. And you learn even when you can’t that next time you’re going to try harder. As long as I can physically do it I see myself doing it.”

But he says, “There’ll come a time when I’ll end up in the way – it’s time to leave then.”

Until then, he will continue to serve the community.

“It’s really just a pleasure to do this,” Fausett said. “It’s part of giving back to the community.”

And he gets to serve with a great group of people dedicated to protecting their hometowns.

“It’s an honor to serve with them No and be in theneeded. department appointment with them.”

Just walk in.

Community Care offers an extensive range of medical care, including:

Need a Doctor?

• Common Colds/Flu • Family Practice From Pediatric to Geriatric • DOT Physicals • Annual Exams • Student Physicals • Work Injuries

• Drug Screens • Breathalyzer Testing • Case Management • Pre-Employment Exams • Other Non-Life threatening Medical Conditions

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• Fractures/Sprains • Infections/Lacerations • On-Site X-Ray • Burn Treatment • Minor Injuries • Mole Excisions • On-Site Lab Work

No appointment need Ask about our Patient Preferred Card Just Text “care” to 91011 to walk in.

Community an extensive range of medical care, including: NEED A DOCTOR?Care offers “We’re Not Just Another Urgent Care” • Drug Screens •NOT Common Colds/Flu • Fractures/Sprains WE’RE URGENT CARE NO APPOINTMENT From Coughs andJUST Colds toANOTHER Cuts and Fractures We’re Building Relationships Patient at a Time...

Breathalyzer Testing • Family Practice From • Infections/Lacerations From NEEDED coughs andOne colds to cuts and •fractures

72X-Ray E. Main 167 E. 1stPediatric So. S. Utah Ave. Yellowstone • 1595 Case Management to 765 Geriatric • On-Site We’re building relationships one a time...

Rexburg, ID Rigby, ID Idaho Falls, ID patient atPocatello, ID • Pre-Employment Exams • DOT Physicals • Burn Treatment 525-8448 359-1770 745-8747 525-2600 233-0032 8-9 Mon.-Sun. • Minor8-8 Mon-Sat. 8-8 Mon-Sat. 8-8 Mon.-Sun. 8-8 Mon.-Sun. Injuries • Other 2725 Channing Way 167•Sunday E.Annual 1st So. Exams 72 E. Main 1595Non-Life Yellowstone 10-6 Closed 765 So.Sun. Utah Ave. • Student Physicals • Mole Excisions Idaho Falls, ID Rigby, ID Rexburg, ID Pocatello, Medical ID Idaho Falls,www.IdahoCommunityCare.com ID threatening • Work Injuries 359–1770 Lab Work Conditions 525–8448 • On-Site 745–8747 233–0032 525–2600 272COM1025

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Our Town 2011

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“We’re Not Just Another Urgent Care”

Kimber Dameron "I think it makes you push harder to learn more and to keep up on your skills and your education, so you are able to handle all the different types of medical care that needs to be done."

Occupation: Flight Paramedic Hometown: Rexburg Family: Troy (husband) and 2 sons

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a flight paramedic Story and photo by JOSEPH LAW • jlaw@uvsj.com

K

imber Dameron wears a lot of hats.

She's a flight paramedic, a paidcall paramedic/firefighter and a teacher.

“I teach two semesters a year at BYUIdaho. I teach the EMT Basic class,” she said.

For Air Idaho Rescue she works a couple of 24 hour shifts each week and responds as needed at the fire department.

But even though her career keeps her very busy, she said her family comes first.

“They're the most important job I have,” she said. “That includes of lot of homework and baseball, football and basketball at our house — making sure everybody gets to their activities. So we use a calendar at our house, a big one on our wall and it has everybody's activities through the month.”

At Air Idaho Rescue she usually takes the flights on the airplane, a Pilatus PC-12, a single-engine turboprop based at the Idaho Falls Airport.

However, sometimes she fills in on the Agusta twin turbine helicopter that is based at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

The helicopter has a shorter radius of operation and is used to respond directly to the scene of an emergency. The airplane has longer legs and is primarily used to get patients in areas with only a clinic or a small hospital to a facility with more advanced care.

Dameron said she enjoys her time on the helicopter, but she prefers the airplane duty.

“You have a longer time to interact with the patient, and usually you take a family member along — you get to know them a little bit better,” she said.

According to Dameron time is critical after an accident or medical emergency.

She loves working on the planes and helicopter because the speed of the airplane and the helicopter help save lives.

“It gets them to the place where they can get the care they need faster,” she

said.

She said it's difficult to see people when they are injured or sick, but it's rewarding to be able to help.

“It's also nice to know that we have the things that will make them feel better and we're getting them to a place that can hopefully correct their sickness or injury,” she said. “Everyone I've run into in the eight years I've done EMS likes to see a calming person show up to help them in their time of need. It's amazing to be that person. I, myself, may be freaking out on the inside, but as long as I can remain calm on the outside and am able to keep my thoughts together, I can help that person.”

One of the things she likes about her career is that it demands excellence.

“I think it makes you push harder to learn more and to keep up on your skills and your education so you are able to handle all the different types of medical care that needs to be done,” she said.

She said emergency medicine takes

a team effort and that's apparent in all aspects of her career.

When every one on her team, or who she works with, does their job then lives are saved. However, if they fail to work well together problems may occur.

Luckily, Dameron mentioned that everyone she works with performs at the level of excellence required to be successfully help the upper valley.

Being in emergency medicine provides a way to serve, she said.

“This is my community — this is where I live,“ she said. “These are my friends and my family. I like working right here where I can take care of my neighbors.”

That's why she gives a few cautions.

“Have fun — get out there and enjoy everything that this beautiful part of the country has to offer, but do take the precautions necessary,” she said. “Get some training. Learn CPR. Wear the helmet — protect your brain.”

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33

David Ivey Saving the day at a sprinter's pace Story and photo by HYRUM HANSEN • intern@uvsj.com

R

unning into fires, saving lives and constantly being on call is all part of the job for paramedic and firefighter David Ivey.

"I love getting out there and helping people that really need it,” said Ivey. “I think running into a fire is fun. It's such an adrenaline rush.”

Ivey first became interested in firefighting at a young age while living Portland, Oregon, when the local Fire and Rescue gave a presentation at his grade school.

“I got to be the kid that put on the turnouts and the bunker gear and everything,” he said. “I just remember having

a lot of fun doing it.”

Today, there is no typical day at work. He’s simply always ready to go and give everything he’s got.

“We never know what’s going to happen,” Ivey said. “Because of that we treat everything like it’s real. Sometimes we get calls for accidents where nobody's injured, but then we do get calls for emergencies like working structure fires, or car accidents with injured occupants that are unconscious and trapped inside.

We have to be prepared for anything every day.”

As a firefighter paramedic Ivey's job entails a lot of preparation and training.

"I love getting out there and helping people that really need it. I think running into a fire is fun. It's such an adrenaline rush"

Occupation: Firefighter Paramedic Hometown: Rexburg Family: Doug and Shannon (parents)

“There are different levels, different criteria and tests you have to pass and what not for each job,” said Ivey.” We train, and we train, and we train so that we're always learning, growing and progressing.”

One of the most memorable experiences on the job for Ivey was his first time making entry on a fire.

“I had acted out what I was going to do and how I was going to perform, so when it finally happened, when that day finally came, there was no hesitation,” he said.

In his off time David spends his time playing in the Madison Fire Department

Pipe Brigade. The department started the band about a year and a half ago.

“Historically, a lot of fire departments have had bag pipe bands.”

David loves working at the Rexburg Fire Department, he says it’s like living in a family and working with brothers.

“I couldn't go to any department in the United States and work with the type of people I work with,” said Ivey.

“It's like a family here. Every third day I'm here with the same five guys, so we get to know each other well. Our families get to know each other too. We're all really good friends.”

Proud of Our Town Events Rexburg Chamber of Commerce Whoopee Days Rodeo & Parade When: Monday, July 4th 2011 Where: Parade on Main St. / Rodeo at fairgrounds

Idaho International Dance and Music Festival Opening Ceremonies When: Sat. July 30th 8 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Where: BYU-Idaho Viking Stadium/FREE EVENT

St. Anthony Chamber of Commerce Pioneer Days When: Sat. July 23rd Where: Parade Starts @ 10:30 at high school

St. Anthony Summer Fest When: Thur. August 25th 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Where: Downtown St. Anthony

Rexburg, ID-407 S. 5th West • 356-4606 St. Anthony, ID-20S. Bridge St. • 624-3747