NDEMSA Conference Registration
NDEMSA Membership: Join or Renew
Member's Area

 

NDEMSA Regional Advisors


In late October the North Dakota EMS Association hired two Regional Advisors, Jim DeMell and Mona Thompson. They officially began their duties in these new positions on November 16 and will be reaching out to EMS agencies and providers across the state.

Both Jim and Mona have extensive experience in EMS and we are excited to have them on board to share their knowledge and skills.

Advisors' Purpose

These positions have been created in response to the growing and ever changing needs facing the industry. Whether EMS agencies and providers are in need of additional resources, technical assistance, industry knowledge or simply an ear to listen the Advisors are their source for support.

Additionally, the Regional Advisors will act as a liaison between the North Dakota EMS Association and the state’s agencies and providers. Not only will this keep the Association abreast of the unique challenges the industry faces, it will also ensure that agencies and providers have access to the services they most need.

The positions are flexible, evolving and will adapt to the industry’s needs and demands. Some of the Regional Advisors’ responsibilities will include:

  • Technical Assistance and Consulting Services,
  • Regional Coordination,
  • Membership Outreach,
  • Conference Coordination, and
  • Public Education.

Each Advisor will be primarily responsible for a specific portion of the state. To view each Advisor’s area download the Regional Advisor Coverage Map.  Jim's area is highlighted in yellow and the area served by Mona in purple.

Meet the Advisors

Jim DeMell, NREMT-B

Jim and his wife Jenny live in Cavalier where they own and operate a small business. Jim also volunteers as an EMT with the Cavalier Ambulance Service. He has been active as an EMT for 30 years and has served his volunteer service as the Past President and a current member of the Board of Directors.

Jim has educated in many disciplines and recently retired after serving as the Pembina County EMS Education Coordinator for seven years.

During the North Dakota EMS Rural Improvement Project Jim was one of three Regional Consultants with SafeTech Solutions, providing assistance to many rural EMS agencies. 

Jim holds many credentials and brings a wealth of experience to rural EMS. He also understands the many challenges of EMS, the importance of sound leadership and communication and that individual and personal support for EMS is vital to survival.

He grew up in Chicago. Jim and Jenny have three children and four grandchildren, all living in the Minneapolis. He enjoys hunting, fishing, traveling and is active with his local church.

You can email Jim at jimd@ndemsa.org.

Mona Thompson, NREMT-P

Mona and her husband Stuart live on a hobby farm in rural Steele. She became an EMT in 1992 and served as a volunteer for several years before becoming a Paramedic. In 2004 she became the EMS Manager for Kidder County Ambulance in Steele. Prior to becoming Kidder County’s EMS Manager, Mona spent nine years working as an EMS Instructor for MedCenter One Health System in Bismarck. 

As the EMS Manager, she leads a multi-faceted county EMS agency with over 65 volunteers and instructs various EMS courses in the area.

Mona served as one of three Regional Consultants for SafeTech Solutions during the North Dakota Rural EMS Improvement Project. She recognizes the importance of collaboration, strong leadership and a good recruitment and retention program. Mona is prepared to assist with the many challenges our state EMS systems face today.

She hails from Wisconsin and met Stuart while they were both working as volunteer EMT’s. They are now raising two young boys. Both Mona and Stuart serve on the local Fire/Rescue service and Stuart is the Assistant Chief. Mona enjoys her hobby farm with horses, cats and dogs; and she and Stuart are both part of a Blue Grass Band. In her free time Mona follows her kids’ sports activities, is active in her local church and enjoys camping, gardening and fishing.

Mona can be emailed at monat@ndemsa.org.