May 16, 2024
Russell Smith, Paramedic, Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA), has seven years of service in EMS/Fire. Russell is recognized as one of CAFMA’s top paramedics, exemplified by his heroic action at a Firefighter Angel Foundation event: a volunteer collapsed and Russell sprang into action, immediately starting CPR and administering AED shocks, ultimately saving the life of the volunteer. Russell uses his undergraduate degree to teach EMS refresher programs and frequently volunteers with the Firefighter Angel Foundation. Each year, Russell helps drive the agency’s parade trucks in the Prescott and Prescott Valley Parades along with his family and other CAFMA families. Russell was recognized as the Firefighter of the Year by the local VFWs and the local Elks Lodge.
From left: Tim Maple, Western Region; Russell Smith, Northern Region; Dan Wallace, Southeastern Region; Daniel Malanowski, Central Region
Russell Smith
May 18, 2023
Rose Blackhorse-Gill received the prestigious Emergency Medical Care Technician (EMCT) award from the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems, representing the Northern Arizona Emergency Medical Services Council (NAEMS). NAEMS is one of 4 EMS councils in Arizona.
Rose Blackhorse-Gill started as an EMT for Sacred Mountain Medical Service in 2005, and worked her way up to become a paramedic in 2009. Rose is a training officer and precepts new paramedics, she performs quality assurance and reviews 100% of the ambulance charts, she is responsible for medication and narcotic resupply, she is a certified critical care transport specialist, and she has completed defensive driving courses.
From left: Raymond Proa, Western Region; James Cesolini, Central Region; Rose Blackhorse-Gill, Northern Region; Branden Mason, Southeastern Region
Rose Blackhorse-Gill, Northern Region Winner, with her family...
Sacred Mountain Medical Service is based on the Navajo reservation in Tuba City and Kayenta. Rose lives in Chilchinbeto and she will drive 173 miles to Flagstaff to resupply narcotics and medications and then deliver them back to the Sacred Mountain Medical Service bases in Tuba City and Kayenta. Rose has been described as selfless, and takes on these extra responsibilities so that her EMS crews can concentrate on their jobs and not have to worry about other tasks.
It should be noted that Sacred Mountain Medical Service performed a very high number of ambulance transports of very ill Navajo patients with COVID to Flagstaff Medical Center and other Arizona hospitals, of which Rose was instrumental in performing. Rose is based primarily in Kayenta which was ground zero for the COVID outbreak on the Navajo reservation. Rose is an EMS leader and provides a critical role in staffing essential ambulance services on the Navajo reservation in support of her community.
Dear EMS and Trauma System Stakeholders,
The Bureau of EMS & Trauma System is hosting its annual Emergency Medical Care Technician (EMCT) of the Year Award contest. Nominations have been reviewed, and a winner was chosen by the NAEMS Advisory Council.
Guardian Medical Transport congratulates Matt Shaw for being awarded the ADHS BEMSTS 2025 EMCT of the Year for the Northern Arizona EMS Region. Matt is a Battalion Chief with a critical care paramedic certification and he has worked over 20 years in EMS. He is a member on the Protocols, Medications, & Devices Committee and he has been a proactive inspiration to help change the paramedic scope of practice to include medication and skills needed by rural and wilderness EMS agency paramedics. Thank you for your service, Matt!
Russell Smith, Paramedic, Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA), has seven years of service in EMS/Fire. Russell is recognized as one of CAFMA’s top paramedics, exemplified by his heroic action at a Firefighter Angel Foundation event: a volunteer collapsed and Russell sprang into action, immediately starting CPR and administering AED shocks, ultimately saving the life of the volunteer. Russell uses his undergraduate degree to teach EMS refresher programs and frequently volunteers with the Firefighter Angel Foundation. Each year, Russell helps drive the agency’s parade trucks in the Prescott and Prescott Valley Parades along with his family and other CAFMA families. Russell was recognized as the Firefighter of the Year by the local VFWs and the local Elks Lodge.
Shawn has 26 years of experience in her profession. Shawn thinks outside of the box to deliver community prevention projects - for example, she initiated a fall prevention program in Flagstaff and Verde Valley called Tai Chi-Matter of Balance that enabled geriatric patients to maintain better balance and strengthen muscles to reduce falls. Shawn has secured grant funds for several projects, including $25,000 to purchase Bleeding Control Systems for Flagstaff Unified School District and grant funds for a harm reduction vending machine at the Flagstaff Emergency Department stocked with free Naloxone kits, fentanyl testing strips, medication disposal kits, safer smoking kits, and safer sex supplies. Shawn actively performs research on health topics, like Naloxone distribution compliance with the AHCCCS Naloxone DAP Program, off-road vehicle injuries, and sledding injuries. Shawn volunteers at community events, like the Anchors Aweigh to Health, Safe Child Coalition events, and Night to Shine, and has been a Northern Arizona EMS (NAEMS) representative for the State Trauma Advisory Board and the Trauma and EMS Performance Improvement Committee for many years.
Greetings Everyone,
We are proud to offer you the electronic version of the 6th edition of our Trauma Guideline Manual. This is a searchable PDF.
If you are on a computer, just click Ctrl F and type in your search terms.
Most phones have similar functionality depending on your version of pdf reader.
We also have hard copies of the manuals for every agency.
The manual is set up from Head to Toe, except for the procedure section.
Happy Reading!
Shawn Bowker RN, BSN, CEN, CFRN, CHPN
QA/Injury Prevention/Outreach Coordinator
Trauma Services
Northern Arizona Healthcare
O - 928-214-3973
F – 928-773-2479
Attached is the ‘Notice’ of availability of Narcan to those Agencies that have been trained under the Arizona First Responders Initiative.
Of course, AzCRH plans a direct promotion to those Agencies trained over the past four years
Finally, if there are any Agencies needing additional Narcan training, please reach out to