Montana
Montana EMS: First to Respond, Last to Rest
GREAT FALLS — The wail of sirens, the rush to respond—every second counts. When emergencies strike anywhere in Montana, paramedics and EMTs are the first on the scene, providing life-saving care in critical moments.
For this edition of Odd Jobs, I spent two days riding with an ambulance crew, witnessing firsthand how they navigate the demands of both urban and rural emergency responses. From the streets of Great Falls to the rugged backcountry, these medics answer call after call, never knowing what’s next.
WATCH:
Montana EMS: First to Respond, Last to Rest
When Every Second Matters
One call took us deep into the Dearborn area, where even aerial medical responders couldn’t reach immediately.
The ambulance could only take us so far, so we switched to a volunteer’s Subaru and, eventually, a fire department SUV.
After an hour of snowy, winding roads, we met the Mercy Flight crew to assist in transferring the patient to the helicopter.
James Rolin
Montana’s EMS workers respond to tens of thousands of emergencies every year—heart attacks, strokes, car crashes, and drug overdoses.
But in rural areas, these life-saving services often depend on volunteers, making every responder critical to the system.
The Urgency of the Job
On our way back from the remote call, another alert came through: an unresponsive patient. Sirens on, gas pedal down.
Upon arrival, it was clear the situation was dire. Thankfully, firefighters arrived at the same time, providing additional hands to move the patient and critical medical support.
It was a reminder that emergency response is a team effort—fire crews, EMS, police, and air medical services all working together to give people the best chance of survival.
Answering the Call—Again and Again
From the icy backwoods to the skies above Montana, EMS teams are always ready. And with the demand for emergency responders rising, agencies across the state encourage those interested to look into training and certification.
Without even enough time to stop for lunch, the medics once again raced to another emergency call as I departed for the night.
For them, the job never stops.
POLSON, Mont. — Two motorcyclists crashed on Highway 35 near Polson after failing to negotiate a left-hand curve, leaving one man dead and another hospitalized, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.
Two motorcycles were traveling southbound on Highway 35 when both drifted into a guardrail. Both drivers were separated from their motorcycles and ended up on the other side of the guardrail.
A 58-year-old Polson man was confirmed dead at the scene. The second driver, a 45-year-old man, also from Polson, was taken to the hospital with injuries.
Alcohol is a suspected factor in the crash, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.
The crash is under investigation.
KALISPELL — A Flathead County man is turning a personal rock bottom into a lifeline for his community by starting a free, late-night ride service to keep drunk drivers off the roads.
Adam Bruzza started Big Sky Sobriety Shuttle LLC, a free ride share service for people who have been drinking, after realizing he was struggling with addiction.
Maddie Keifer reports – watch the video here:
MT man starts free, late-night ride service to keep drunk drivers off the roads
“I just wanted to give people who do still drink the option for a safe, sober ride home,” Bruzza said.
Bruzza said a devastating mistake behind the wheel became a turning point where he decided enough was enough.
“I was charged with a DUI October 22 of 2024,” Bruzza said.
After a few months focused on his sobriety, Bruzza channeled his energy into his community by starting the shuttle service.
He operates the shuttle in his personal pickup truck. Riders can reach him by phone, text or social media at any time of day or night at no cost.
“I just wanted to give others the opportunity to not get a life changing charge,” Bruzza said.
Bruzza works with bars to connect riders with his service. Although the Big Sky Sobriety Shuttle is a new endeavor, he has already seen a big impact.
“The community response without a doubt has been unconditional love and support that makes my heart all warm and fuzzy,” Bruzza said.
Bruzza also shared a message for others who may be struggling with addiction.
“Your life is worth it, there are people that care out there and it is okay to ask for help,” Bruzza said.
To learn more, click here to visit the Facebook page.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from April 19 drawing
05-13-15-17, Bonus: 01
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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