Released Oct. 11, 2007

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Chouteau County has received a national award from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its efforts at linking emergency services and public health.

Chouteau County is the only rural community in the nation to ever receive this "Model Community" award.

The award was presented on Aug. 13 at a reception in Atlanta. Linda Williams, Montana State University Extension Agent and Angel Johnson, Chouteau County Public Health Nurse and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator represented the county at that ceremony.

"Every resident of the county can be proud of the role they have played in helping to achieve this 'Model Community' award," Williams said. "The strength of the county's emergency system is built upon public involvement. Due to a high level of teamwork, volunteer commitment and cooperation, Chouteau County has been recognized at the national level for setting a standard for emergency preparedness."

The plaque reads, "For establishing and implementing effective strategies that enhance collaboration and strengthen the relationship between public health and emergency care, thereby serving as an example to other communities to promote the improvement of daily operations and disaster preparedness nationwide."

There were four other communities recognized at this ceremony: San Diego; Palm Beach; Pinellas County, Fla.; and a Wisconsin regional system. The award selection committee is made up of many national emergency organizations, including National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association and Department of Health & Human Services.

"Although this is an incredible accomplishment," said Williams, "my deepest appreciation is for all the emergency personnel who have dedicated countless hours - not for an award, but in order to provide for the welfare and safety of the public in their times of need."

The CDC's award criteria included: a history of collaboration; interoperable communications system; sound emergency response operational policies that have been validated and demonstrated through exercises and actual events.

The Chouteau County Emergency Medical Services and Local Emergency Planning Committee have existed for 30 years.

Chouteau County received recognition specifically for its disaster exercises. Some of those notable accomplishments included the planning and simulated disaster exercise for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. With a population of about 6,000 people, that day-long exercise held in Loma involved 167 people representing all of the emergency response entities: fire, ambulance, QRU, sheriff's deputies, search and rescue, Bureau of Land Management, Fish Wildlife and Parks, plus neighboring counties. During the actual Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, the planning paid off as emergency personnel responded to a flash flood in Highwood, in addition to covering the bicentennial commemoration activities.

More recently, the county held two week-long exercises that focused on the Big Sandy Hospital and Missouri River Medical Center.

The public played a large role with volunteers and the faith-based network participating in the simulated opening of alternative care centers and quarantine activities, Williams said. Both of those exercises culminated with simulated mass casualty events necessitating complete evacuation of the Big Sandy Activities Men's Home and the Sunrise Bluff Estates.

In spite of the unique challenges faced by a rural community with a shortage of funds and resources, Chouteau County has demonstrated the strength of teamwork, volunteerism and community involvement.

"We are very proud to receive this award and the national recognition," Williams said. "The challenge now will be to keep our emergency services foundation strong, to bring new people into the system and to continue to create awareness of the importance of family and individual emergency preparedness planning."

Sound bite 1: MSU Extension agent Linda Williams in Choteau County says the award honors the work of many people (:11) http://www.montana.edu/msunews/radio/williams1.mp3 (:13)

Sound bite 2: http://www.montana.edu/msunews/radio/Williams2.mp3 Williams says that most of the emergency response agencies in the county are made up of volunteers

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http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=5231

Contact: Linda Williams, (406) 622-3751, lwilliams@montana.edu