Dear SDEMSA,

As we prepare for the 50th Anniversary of the South Dakota EMS Association State Conference in 2025, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey of EMS in our state. For half a century, men and women have answered the call to serve—often with little recognition but with unwavering commitment to their neighbors and communities. This conference has been the place where we’ve come together to learn, to grow, and to remind ourselves that we are stronger as one team.

This milestone year is more than just a celebration. It is a moment to remember the past—the pioneers who built the foundation of EMS in South Dakota, the countless lives touched by their service, and the many stories of courage and compassion that define our profession. It is also a time to ignite the future—to recommit ourselves to the training, innovation, and leadership that will carry EMS forward for the next 50 years.

To honor our shared history, we are asking each service and district to bring memorabilia that can be displayed as banquet décor. Old photos, patches, uniforms, or equipment—these pieces are treasures that remind us of where we’ve come from and inspire those who will carry the torch forward.

I also invite you to visit the History Booth at the conference. There, you’ll walk through the milestones of our past five decades and see how far we have come together as an association and as a profession. It will be a place to remember, reflect, and take pride in the legacy we continue to build.

The 50th Anniversary is not just about looking back—it’s about celebrating the present and preparing for the future. Each of us is part of this story, and together we will write the next chapters of EMS in South Dakota.

With deep gratitude and excitement,

Sheila Monnier

SDEMSA Historian

District 1 President

SDEMSA Communications Committee Chair