New South Dakota EMS Advisory Committee

On Monday, May 23, 2005, Gov. Mike Rounds signed an Executive Order, establishing an Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee immediately and until December 31, 2010, to advise the Office of Emergency Medical Services on issues related to pre-hospital emergency medical services in South Dakota.

According to the governor's order it is vital for the Department of Public Safety, Office of Emergency Medical Services, to gain input and guidance in developing and implementing programs aimed at the pre-hospital treatment of the sick and injured, injury prevention and to provide emergency health care to all residents of the state in a timely manner.

"The vast majority of our EMS personnel in South Dakota are volunteers," said Public Safety Secretary Tom Dravland. "It is these dedicated citizens that are the backbone of our pre-hospital emergency medical services. Governor Rounds and I are grateful to all emergency medical technicians for their service, and we want to make sure we stay connected to them. The EMS Advisory Committee provides us that important link and allow us to better understand and address issues of importance to the technicians, the EMS providers and ultimately the citizens of South Dakota," Dravland said.

Friday, June 24, 2005, Gov. Rounds announced the following individuals will serve on the EMS Advisory Committee:

Tim Bjordal, Sioux Falls

• Gordon Dekkenga, Yankton
  
  
• Tammy Dohman, Groton
  
  
• Amy Marsh, Sioux Falls
  
  
• Larry Richmond, Rapid City
  
  
• Jim Walery, Lennox
  
  
• Don Weller, Philip

South Dakota Department of Public Safety's mission is to keep South Dakota a safe place to live, work, visit and raise a family. Visit www.state.sd.us/dps for more information about the department and its agencies.