Giono receives 2019 Volunteer EMS provider of the year award

Whitehall resident Francis "Topper" Giono was honored last week for his longtime care and dedication as an Emergency Medical Services provider.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) honored personnel from across the state during an awards ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda last Thursday.

Giono received the Volunteer EMS Provider of the year award. This award honors a volunteer EMS provider who is exemplary in his/her quality of patient care and dedication to their community.

Giono has been an EMS volunteer provider in the Whitehall community since 1969 after attending his first EMT class. Whether serving as an ambulance attendant, town marshal, or county deputy, Giono has been on countless 9-1-1 calls during the last 50 years of his service. Nearly 78 years old, Topper continues to drive the ambulance on just about every call as well as maintain the service's fleet of ambulances. One of the most inspiring parts of Topper's story is the family legacy that has followed in his footsteps. All seven of his children have chosen careers in public service including law enforcement, EMS and other healthcare fields. Even several grandchildren are choosing the same path.

Representatives from Jefferson Valley EMS in Whitehall, Central Montana Medical Center Ambulance (CMCC) in Lewistown, Miles City Fire Rescue, and Billings EMS were honored by First Lady Lisa Bullock and Jim DeTienne, EMS and Trauma Systems Supervisor for DPHHS.

This event is part of National Emergency Medical Services Week held May 19-25, 2019. This year's theme is "EMS Strong: Beyond the Call".

Bullock said Montana's emergency medical responders, both paid and volunteer, provide a critical service to this state. "It's such an honor to congratulate those who make sacrifices each and every day for their fellow Montanans," she said. "These are people who are willing to take that call – day or night – to respond to an emergency, whatever it might be."

DeTienne said, on average, Montana residents will need an ambulance service at least twice in his or her lifetime. "For some of these patients, delays in receiving emergency care could contribute to death or permanent injury," he said. "Montana's system of the public trained in CPR and AEDs (automatic external defibrillators), law enforcement and fire responders, EMS and hospitals teams are essential elements of health care in Montana."