May 27, 2026
Helena, Montana – St. Peter's Health has donated a retired ambulance to the Helena College Fire & Emergency Services program, reinforcing a shared commitment to workforce development and high-quality emergency care across the region. "It is extremely important that as an Ambulance Department we have a good partnership with the college and the education of future EMS providers," said St. Peter's Paramedic and EMS Services Manager Chris Mulberry. "We as emergency medical providers have a responsibility to help train and advance the people who will serve our community next."
The donation grew out of conversations that began last year when Mulberry attended his first advisory meeting with Helena College after stepping into his leadership role at St. Peter's. During that meeting, he met with Lead Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) instructor Paige Montgomery and Executive Director of Career Technical Education Stephanie Hunthausen at the College's Airport Campus to discuss the relationship between the hospital and the college's EMS program.
The retired ambulance will serve as a hands-on training environment where students can practice real-world response scenarios. Unlike classroom simulations alone, training inside a functioning ambulance allows students to learn equipment placement, scene flow, patient movement, and communication patterns in the same type of setting they will encounter in the field.
The partnership between St. Peter's Health and Helena College extends beyond equipment support. A significant number of St. Peter's Health EMS team members also serve as instructors in the college's program, helping bridge the gap between academic preparation and field experience. The collaboration ensures that students learn current practices and develop skills that meet the needs of today's emergency response environment.
"This generous donation strengthens the kind of community partnership that makes hands-on education possible," said Sandra Bauman, Dean/CEO of Helena College. "Having an ambulance available for training allows our students to practice in a realistic environment that mirrors what they will encounter in the field. We are deeply grateful to the team at St. Peter's Health, including the EMS professionals who share their expertise in our classrooms, for their ongoing commitment to preparing the next generation of emergency responders."
St. Peter's also ensures Helena College EMS students have placement to meet their clinical requirements for graduation. Each EMT student participates in three 12-hour ride-along shifts with St. Peter's Ambulance Services as part of those clinical requirements. Students also complete rotations in St. Peter's Emergency Department, where they build practical skills in a real care environment.
"Pairing classroom instruction with rigorous hands-on training is essential to the development of strong providers," explained Paige Montgomery, lead instructor for the EMT program.
In addition to supporting EMT students from Helena College, St. Peter's Ambulance Services also serves as a clinical training site for paramedic students from programs across the country. Paramedic students need to complete 500 hours of clinical experience to earn their degrees. Recently, students have traveled from programs in Billings, Missoula, and the National Medical Education and Training Center in Boston. Last year, St. Peter's hosted two students from the Billings program and one from the Boston-based program, and will welcome three students from the Missoula program this year.
"It is incumbent upon us to help train good people for our community and for any potential community they may serve," Mulberry said. "Whether they go on to work in EMS, become firefighters, enter another area of healthcare, or simply carry those skills into everyday life, this training matters."
The partnership between St. Peter's Health and Helena College is helping build a sustainable workforce pipeline by connecting education with real-world experience. By supporting students at every stage of their training, St. Peter's Health and Helena College are actively preparing the next generation of skilled emergency responders, ensuring a steady flow of qualified providers ready to serve Helena and communities across Montana for years to come.