A brief history...                                                                       

Thirty years ago, it all started. The initial group came together in the fall of 1976 when Steve Belau proposed to some of his good friends the idea of providing a rescue service during the fair the following summer. After considerable training, scrounging, some custom engineering, loans of equipment, and some wonderful donations of various resources, it all came together in July of 1977. 

July 1977 - Pictured from left to right Dr. Paul Belau, Scott Schuster, Mark Mathison, Mike McPherson, Steve Belau, and Dr. Donald Gullickson.

After the success in1977, we expanded our capabilities. Each year we came with more equipment, more supplies, and spent more days in Fertile. In the early 1980's, we became what is now County Emergency Medical Services. Over the years, there have been some tremendously talented and compassionate people that have been part of County EMS. County EMS continues to thrive because of passion that each of us has for serving the community.   

July 2007 - Celebrating 25 years of County Emergency Medical Services

Steve Belau and the rest of the senior staff again want to express our deepest appreciation to all of the staff, past and present, for what they have contributed to County EMS over the past 25 years. What has been accomplished since 1977 in the community of Fertile is truly something special. At the July 2007 celebration, special recognition was given to the following individuals and entities:

Spirit of Emergency Medical Service Awards

  • Individuals: Mona Anderson, Eugene Billings, Gloria Kaste, Mark LeTexier, Rodney Mosher, Barry Robertson, Bruce Roed, John Schmalenberg, and Myron Thronson
  • Entities: Beltrami Fire Department, Erskine Fire Department, Fertile Fire Department, Gary Rescue Squad, Mentor Fire Department, and Winger Fire Department

Service to the Community on the EMS Advisory Board: Mona Anderson, Eugene Billings, Gloria Kaste, Rodney Mosher, Barry Robertson, and Bruce Roed
Rural Advanced Life Support - Emergency Medical Services Pioneer Award: Paul G. Belau M.D., Steven P. Belau, Donald A. Gullickson M.D., Mark A. Mathison, Michael S. McPherson, Rodney W. Risch, and Scott W. Schuster
Honorable Service Award - 12 years: Linda Aanenson
Distinguished Service Awards:

  • 19 years: Gary Werner
  • 20 years of Dedication: Marcia M. Belau and Lynne Dahl
  • 22 years of Dedication: Mark Westhed
  • Over 25 years of Dedication: Steven P. Belau, Michael S. McPherson, and Rodney W. Risch

Founders' Award (for outstanding counsel and mentoring): Jane Belau
Meritorious Service to the Community as the Chief Medical Command Authority: Theodore S. Olson M.D.
Exceptional Service to the Community as Medical Command Authority:  Erik Kanten M.D., Bruce Ring M.D.
Meritorious Service in Defending the Nation: Jennifer Flikke
Exceptional Service to County Emergency Medical Services: Erik Kanten M.D.
Special Recognition for Commitment to the Mission and Spirit of County Emergency Medical Services: Michael McPherson
Solon Gullickson Servant of the People Award for Dedicated Community Service:  Timothy Oistad
Solon & Orpha Gullickson Memorial Award for Outstanding Service: Rodney Risch
Self-less Service and Dedication to County Emergency Medical Services: Theodore S. Olson M.D.
Exceptional Community Service/MN's 1st Rural ALS EMS Base Station Hospital: Riverview Healthcare Association
For His Service and Dedication to County Emergency Medical Services: The Honorable Brian Nephew
For Their Service and Support to Emergency Medical Services:  The Members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Members of the Minnesota State Patrol, Thief River Falls State Patrol District
For Their Commitment to Excellence in Emergency Medical Services: The Riverview Emergency Department Staff
Distinguished Leadership Award (for his vision, inspiration, and outstanding leadership, from the County EMS Staff): Steven P. Belau