As we observe National EMS Week 2025, the Indian Health Service is proud to highlight the work of the Navajo Nation EMS and White Mountain Apache Tribe EMS. Their dedication reflects the true spirit of this year's theme, “We Care. For Everyone.” These features, written by the programs themselves, offer a closer look at how tribal EMS teams serve their communities with skill, compassion, and commitment, every mile, every call, every day.
Navajo Nation EMS: Caring for All, Across Every Mile
Joshua Ellison, EMT-I, NREMT, EMT Recruiter, Navajo EMS – Public Relations and Recruitment Section
For more than 50 years, Navajo Nation EMS has been a beacon of hope across the vast Navajo Nation, with our headquarters in Window Rock, Arizona. Officially established in 1974—though our roots may stretch even further back—we specialize in pre-hospital emergency medicine, delivering critical care to our communities no matter the distance.
Our team provides essential services, from trauma response to medical emergencies, often under challenging conditions. The rugged topography of the Navajo Nation, spanning deserts, canyons, and mountains, paired with long transport times, tests our resilience daily. Despite these obstacles, our skilled paramedics and support staff ensure that the care reaches even the most remote areas. One of our proud initiatives is our collaboration with regional hospitals, ensuring seamless patient transfers despite the miles, a testament to our adaptability and dedication.
The theme of EMS Week 2025 resonates deeply with our mission. Every day, we live this commitment by serving all members of our community with compassion and respect. A striking example occurred recently when an aeromedical team, transporting a patient on life support, was forced to land their helicopter in a very remote area due to a sudden snowstorm. Navajo Nation EMS, with critical assistance from Navajo Nation Fire and Navajo Nation Emergency Management, stepped in. Despite heavy snowfall and roads rendered impassable by deep mud, our teams braved the conditions to rescue the patient and crew safely. This coordinated effort reflects our promise to care for every individual, ensuring no one is left behind, regardless of the challenges.
As we celebrate EMS Week, we honor our team’s unwavering spirit and the trust our community places in us. Navajo Nation EMS remains committed to bridging distances with care, healing, and hope. We invite you to join us in recognizing the vital role tribal EMS plays in keeping our nation strong.
Serving the Community with Heart: White Mountain Apache Tribe EMS
Debra Sanchez, White Mountain Apache Tribe EMS
The White Mountain Apache Tribe Emergency Medical Services (WMAT-EMS) has been a trusted provider of emergency care since 1978. Established with support from an IHS Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act grant, WMAT-EMS continues to serve the eastern portion of Arizona with dedication and pride.
Located on the beautiful White Mountain Apache Reservation, WMAT-EMS provides 9-1-1 emergency medical services and transportation for tribal members and visitors alike. Covering a vast area of 1.8-million acres, the service territory includes diverse landscapes—from desert terrain near Salt River Canyon to the mountain regions surrounding Sunrise Ski Resort. This challenging environment requires EMS teams to be ready for anything, from backcountry rescues to high-altitude emergencies.
With three ambulance stations and seven ambulances in service, WMAT-EMS responds to approximately 10,000 calls per year. Six of our ambulances are staffed with Advanced Life Support providers, many of whom are tribal members who ensure culturally responsive and community-based care.
As the sole ambulance service in the area, WMAT-EMS is deeply involved in public education and community outreach. We offer CPR and first aid classes, Stop the Bleed training, and naloxone education for public safety departments and community members. Our involvement extends to local events, including rodeos, fishing derbies, school programs, and health fairs.
The WMAT-EMS team is dedicated to one goal: “We Care for Everyone”. In an emergency, there is no race, color, or religion. Our goal is to save lives.
