Choctaw County EMS, Inc.

08/11/2026

07/31/2026

I am currently in the process of forming a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) Team for the first responders of Choctaw County. This is a much-needed resource dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellness of those who answer the call on some of the most difficult days imaginable.

While we hope this team is only activated once a year, or even less, we never know when we may respond to that one call that has a lasting impact on those involved. When that day comes, I want our first responders to know they have support.

At this time, I am looking for individuals who are interested in partnering with this team, specifically:

• A licensed counselor, psychologist, or clinical social worker who can serve as a mental health professional, assist with difficult cases, and provide referrals for ongoing care when needed.

• A chaplain, preferably someone with experience as a first responder or who has a strong understanding of the unique challenges faced by EMS, fire, law enforcement, and dispatch personnel.

If you are interested, know someone who may be a good fit, or would like more information, please reach out to me. Together, we can build a resource that ensures the men and women who spend their lives caring for others have someone to care for them when they need it most.

Rodney Johnson, NRP
Education Coordinator
Choctaw County EMS

07/29/2026

Employee Spotlight: Meet Hunter Tyson

This week’s Employee Spotlight shines on Hunter Tyson, a dedicated professional whose commitment to emergency medical services has made a lasting impact on Choctaw County EMS.

Hunter began his EMS journey in 2015 when he completed his EMT certification. Immediately after earning his credentials, he joined the Choctaw County EMS family, where his strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and passion for patient care quickly became evident.

After just two years as an EMT, Hunter advanced his career by earning his Paramedic certification, a testament to his dedication to continuing education and providing the highest level of prehospital care to the citizens of Choctaw County.

Today, Hunter proudly serves as both a Field Paramedic and Fleet Manager. Whether he’s responding to emergencies, delivering compassionate patient care, or ensuring our ambulances are maintained and ready for service, Hunter plays a vital role in keeping our operation running smoothly. Hunter also volunteers his time as part of Choctaw County Rescue Squad.

His willingness to take on additional responsibilities, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence help ensure that our crews have reliable ambulances and our community receives the quality care they deserve.

Thank you, Hunter, for your dedication, professionalism, and service to Choctaw County EMS. We are proud to have you as part of our team

07/17/2026

What a long week, but one that was absolutely worth it!

I’m proud to say that Robin, Debo, Charlie, Jamie, and Rodney have successfully completed the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training and are now certified CIT Officers.

This training has strengthened our knowledge of mental health crises, de-escalation techniques, crisis communication, and connecting individuals with the appropriate care they deserve. Every lesson reinforced the importance of treating people with compassion, dignity, and respect during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this training possible. We look forward to putting what we’ve learned into practice and continuing to serve our community with professionalism, empathy, and excellence.

07/17/2026

Today marks the final day of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. It has been a long, challenging, and rewarding week for all of the participants.

Throughout this training, we have gained valuable knowledge and practical skills to better recognize, understand, and safely respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The goal has always been the same, to de-escalate situations, build trust, and connect people with the appropriate care and resources they deserve.

Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time and effort this week. Your commitment to learning will make a positive difference for the individuals, families, and communities you serve. Together, we can help ensure that those experiencing a mental health crisis receive compassionate, appropriate, and effective care.

TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER!

07/15/2026

Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) / Crisis Response Training (CRT)

Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and Crisis Response Training (CRT) are intensive 40-hour programs designed to equip first responders, educators, and healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to safely manage behavioral health crises. The training focuses on de-escalation techniques, mental health awareness, crisis intervention, and connecting individuals with the appropriate emergency care and community resources.

The curriculum centers on five key areas:�• Understanding behavioral health�• Developing empathy�• Navigating community resources�• Verbal de-escalation techniques�• Practical application through realistic scenario-based training

This course is no joke! Tomorrow marks the beginning of day three, and we’ve already covered an incredible amount of information. Every lesson reinforces how important it is to understand mental illness and respond with professionalism, compassion, and effective communication. I truly believe this training will make us better prepared to serve our community and provide the best possible care during mental health emergencies.

What makes this even more meaningful is that this class was strictly voluntary. A huge thank you to EMS: Debo Ball, Jamie Burkett, Robin Ezell, Charlie Ball, and Rodney Johnson, Sheriffs Dept: Kendall Gardner, Justin Rowell and Mike Swift, Gilbertown PD: Daniel Jackson for stepping up and committing their time to better themselves and better serve Choctaw County. Investing in education like this ultimately benefits every patient, family, and community member we encounter.

Looking forward to another great day of learning tomorrow

07/13/2026

Today marks the beginning of a full week of learning, collaboration, and professional development as Choctaw County EMS proudly hosts Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training.
This intensive 40-hour program equips law enforcement officers, dispatchers, corrections officers, and EMS personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to safely and effectively respond to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. The course emphasizes de-escalation techniques, empathy, communication, and connecting individuals with appropriate medical and mental health resources whenever possible, rather than defaulting to the criminal justice system.
This training was coordinated by Matthew Stephens with the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Department, and we appreciate their commitment to bringing this valuable program to our community.
Participants this week include personnel from:�• Choctaw County Sheriff’s Department�• Choctaw County EMS�• Gilbertown Police Department�• Jackson Police Department
When public safety agencies train together, we strengthen our partnerships, improve communication, and ultimately provide better service to the citizens we all serve. We wish everyone a productive and successful week of training!

07/13/2026

I am truly proud of our EMS team!
Last Sunday, I challenged our crews to raise the bar on patient care documentation. The goal was simple: for the next 7 days, every ePCR submitted for Quality Assurance had to be complete, accurate, and free of warnings or errors. Anyone who met that standard would receive a personalized Choctaw County EMS challenge coin, purchased with my personal funds.

The results exceeded every expectation.
Over the past 7 days, our crews responded to 43 calls, and I reviewed all 43 ePCRs. Not a single report contained a warning or error. That’s a 100% success rate.

This wasn’t about earning a coin, it was about taking pride in our work and ensuring every patient receives the highest level of care, even in our documentation. Accurate patient care reports protect our patients, our crews, and our service.

I’m incredibly proud of every member of our team for accepting the challenge and proving what we can accomplish when we set a high standard together.

Now… it’s time for me to come up with the next challenge. Congratulations to the entire Choctaw County EMS family