Saint Alphonsus Conference Partners with Rural First Responders to Improve Emergency Capabilities

Ski and Mountain Trauma Conference Returns to Sun Valley November 1-3

At a time when many rural emergency medical service agencies in Idaho and throughout the region are facing staffing and funding challenges, the annual Saint Alphonsus Ski and Mountain Trauma Conference returns to Sun Valley to give full-time and volunteer first responders the life-saving tools they need.

Held at the Sun Valley Resort from November 1-3, the conference will feature hands-on simulations, workshops and lectures to bring state-of-the art techniques and tactics to Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, firefighters, ski patrol members, law enforcement officers and Search and Rescue teams.

“As the region’s leading trauma center, Saint Alphonsus is dedicated to supporting these agencies, whether they are staffed by volunteers or paid professionals,” said Dr. Parker Fillmore, Trauma Medical Director at Saint Alphonsus. “First responders are the first line of rescue and therefore a critical piece of any trauma program. Our team that cares for injured patients in the hospital can’t do their jobs without the initial work of those who must make critical decisions in the field, to stabilize and transport patients in a timely manner to our trauma center.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Tom Marshburn, former NASA astronaut and flight surgeon. His experience – both in space and on Earth – will help motivate and inspire conference attendees to rededicate themselves to improving their skills, teamwork, and understanding of the vital role they play in saving lives.

The conference will feature the largest number of hands-on instructional courses since Saint Alphonsus launched the Ski and Mountain Trauma Conference in 2006, covering topics including stabilizing a patient for transport, backcountry management of hypothermia and frostbite, trauma management, avalanche rescue, delivering babies in emergencies, and wilderness wound management. Additionally, the Idaho National Guard will offer helicopter rescue demonstrations as well as instruction on preparing patients to be airlifted from the backcountry.

Fillmore says making attendance affordable is an important part of the conference, and he says a growing number of supporters helps reduce registration fees and make scholarships available for smaller agencies and organizations.

One such agency is the Fremont County (Idaho) EMS, which is sending 15 paid and volunteer staffers to the conference. Director Bert Mecham says his team benefits from the training: “It’s the most applicable to what we deal with and what we see in rural Idaho,” he said.

“We hope this conference continues to strengthen the partnership between the region’s leading trauma center and the dedicated women and men who respond at all hours of the day and night to keep our communities and loved ones safe,” Dr. Fillmore added.

More than 600 people, including 400 first responders representing agencies from 10 states are expected to attend the three-day conference.