2026 Big Sky EMS Education Symposium

**Online registration closes Monday, November 2nd at 12:00 pm (noon).  **If you miss out on pre-registration, you will be able to register Friday and Saturday at the door.

Symposium Location:

Billings Hotel & Convention Center

1223 Mullowney Lane

Billings, MT

I-90 Exit 446

Credit:

• Pre-Symposium - up to 8.0 CE hours

• Symposium - up to 16.0 CE hours (up to 8 hours CE each day)

Big Sky EMS Education Symposium

Pre-symposium

Train the Trainer

Thursday, November 5th, 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

First Responders face relentless stress, trauma and pressure – on and off the job. The ResponderStrong Mental Health Curriculum is a science backed, peer led program designed to build resilience, reduce stigma and address stress injury, burnout, compassion fatigue, anxiety, depression and suicide.

ResponderStrong is committed to the overall performance and wellbeing of all Responders. Equipping them with tools to protect themselves from the mental and emotional exposures of the job – from recruitment through retirement – as well as to their families and the communities they serve.

This course will be open to participants who have enrolled in the 2 day symposium, and then to general admission as space permits, on a first come first serve basis. 

There are only 60 spots available.

Cost is $35/person plus 2 day symposium fee

8.0 CE hours available for completion of pre-symposium course

*Complimentary snacks will be available. You will have a break to enjoy lunch on your own.

The program is being sponsored by:  DPHHS EMS & Trauma Systems Section with help from - MEMSA & Montana Ambulance Association.

       ***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

MEMSA Meet and Greet 

Thursday, November 5th, 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.

Join Montana Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA) for a meet and greet, some information about MEMSA, a taco bar and a chance to visit and get to know our fellow EMS providers.

This event is sponsored by MEMSA and is limited to 65 participants.

MEMSA unites EMS professionals from across the state to collaborate, share expertise, and advocate for excellence in emergency medical care. They aim to ensure every agency – large or small – has a voice in shaping Montana’s EMS future. Their mission is to be the unified voice to represent, educate and inform all ambulance services and pre-hospital emergency care providers in the state of Montana. And their vision is to improve access and reduce the cost of high-quality pre-hospital educational opportunities.

Come and listen to MEMSA Board members give an update on the status of MEMSA and the goals for the future.

This is a great opportunity to mingle with our EMS peers and visit about our industry.

       ***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

2026 Big Sky EMS Education Symposium

November 6 & 7, 2026

Symposium Agenda

 **See brochure for speaker bios**

Friday, November 6

7:00 - 7:55 a.m.          Registration

7:55 - 8:00 a.m.          Opening Announcements

8:00 - 9:10 a.m.          EMS Detective

                                        Shaun Pitts

9:10 - 9:40 a.m.          Continental Breakfast With Vendors

9:40 - 10:45 a.m.        Modern Day Communications: Radios & More!

                                        Justin Jagers                                                                

10:45 - 11:55 p.m.      Beat The Heat: Strategies To Prevent Heat Illnesses

                                        Dr. Valerie Moody                              

11:55 - 1:10 p.m.        Lunch - On Your Own

1:10 - 2:15 p.m.          Sirens & Stitches? – Trauma!

                                        Shaun Pitts                             

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.          Leading Through The Hard Stuff: Entry To Exit

                                        Pat Songer

3:15 – 3:25 p.m.          Door Prize Drawing (must be present to win)  

3:25 - 3:55 p.m.          Refreshment Break With Vendors

3:55 - 4:55 p.m.          Sudden Cardiac Arrest In Youth     

                                        Janet Trethewey

4:55 – 5:10 p.m.          MT DPHHS EMS Section Update/Information

5:10 - 6:30 p.m.          Fundamentals Of Cardiac Arrest

                                        Shaun Pitts

Saturday, November 7

7:00 - 7:55 a.m.          Registration

7:55 - 8:00 a.m.          Opening Announcements

8:00 - 9:10 a.m.          But Then I Got High: Common Pre Hospital Toxidromes

                                        Aaron Peth     

9:10 - 9:40 a.m.          Continental Breakfast With Vendors

9:40 - 10:50 a.m.        What Would You Do? – Trauma Edition

                                        Dr. Michael Englehart                        

10:50 – 12:00 p.m.     People Care

                                        Shaun Pitts                             

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.        Lunch - On Your Own

1:15 - 2:25 p.m.          Scene Safety & Awareness

                                        Shaun Pitts                                                    

2:25 - 3:35 p.m.         Protecting The Unprotected: Child Abuse

                                        Aaron Peth

3:35 – 3:50 p.m.          MEMSA Update/Information

3:50 - 4:00 p.m.          Door Prize Drawing (must be present to win)

4:00 - 4:30 p.m.          Refreshment Break With Vendors

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.          You Wouldn’t Go To Work Intoxicated Would You?

                                        Shaun Pitts                            

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.          Suffering In Silence – One Paramedics Journey Through Post Traumatic Treatment   

                                        Aaron Peth

6:30 pm                       Symposium Adjourned

Up to 16.0 CE hours available for EMS providers.

 Up to 8.0 hours are available for each day.

***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

**Online registration closes Monday, November 2nd at 12:00 pm (noon).**

If you miss out on pre-registration, you will be able to register Friday and Saturday at the door.

How to register: Create an account by going to New User “Sign Up Now” or if you registered here last year you can use your established login, then go to "CME Conferences" and click on the 2026 Big Sky EMS Symposium link.  *A small credit card fee will be applied.

Early Bird Rates – Register by midnight on October 26th

• 2 days (Nov 6 and Nov 7)   $155.00 (+ transaction fee) = $161.20

• 1 day (Nov 6 or Nov 7)   $90 (+ transaction fee) = $93.60

Registration after October 26th

• 2 days (Nov 6 and Nov 7)   $175 (+ transaction fee) = $182.00

• 1 day (Nov 6 or Nov 7)   $100 (+ transaction fee) = $104.00

Pre- Symposium Registration

ResponderStrong – Train the Trainer (November 5th  8am-5pm)

• 1 day pre symposium - $35.00 (+ transaction fee) = 36.40

**This course is open for 2 day enrolled symposium participants first, then general admission as space is available. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis.

There are only 60 spots available.  Must register online.

MEMSA Meet & Greet Registration (November 5^th 6pm-8pm)

Only 65 spots available - first come, first served!

Sponsored by MEMSA – no fee

No refunds will be issued after November 2^nd.

For more information, email [email protected] (organizer) or [email protected].

Lodging Accommodation:

Billings Hotel & Convention Center

1223 Mullowney Lane, Billings, MT

# 800-537-7286

# 406-248-7151

https://billingshotelmt.com

The hotel features an inviting pool with a water slide and hot tub, making it an ideal destination for the whole family!

A block of rooms have been reserved for the EMS Symposium. To receive the discounted rate, reservations must be made by October 11th. Be sure to identify yourself as a Big Sky EMS Symposium participant when booking.

The Billings Clinic Office of Medical Education adheres to ACCME Criteria, Standards, and Policies regarding industry support of continuing medical education. 

Disclosure of faculty and their commercial relationships will be made prior to the activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Billings Clinic Continuing Medical Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.  Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests).  All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

If you are interested in purchasing exhibit space, please contact the symposium coordinator Lyndy Gurchiek at 406-670-5021 or [email protected]