Jack Rathgeber is dedicated to service, no matter where it takes him, even if it requires traveling by mule to treat a patient who suffered broken ribs and bones in a mountainous area. The situation happened while Jack was on duty as a supervisor and a call came in about a person in the mountains who had suffered trauma and was stuck in a ravine. Volunteers in the area had tried to help the patient but only made matters worse when one of them tripped and landed on the patient’s broken shoulder. Because the crew on staff was a Basic Life Support (BLS) crew, Jack joined the crew members and went to the mountains to find and help the patient. After trying to get a Search and Rescue team to assist, Jack spotted forest personnel riding a mule. Jack explained the situation to the forest worker who let Jack ride the mule as he searched for the patient.

Once he arrived at the patient’s location, Jack was able to give the patient pain medication and help the volunteers get the individual onto a backboard. Jack and the volunteers carried the patient out of the ravine, two miles back to the ambulance. He also made sure the patient was taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Jeff Behling proved early last year that knowledge and know-how never take a day off. Jeff was at a junkyard looking for auto parts when an exhaust manifold fell onto another man. Jeff was off-duty but jumped into action. Based on the man’s color, Jeff knew the situation was serious. Jeff determined the man had a potentially life-threatening arterial bleed and directed bystanders to call 911. Jeff held direct pressure on the wound and kept the man alert until first responders arrived.

Jeff is a member of the AMR Emergency Response Team and he has been deployed four times during his four-year career with AMR, most recently to South Carolina after Hurricane Florence. Jeff was a strike team leader during that activation and was on the ground for nearly two weeks. Jeff also recently became an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) instructor and assists with various aspects of his operation’s new employee orientation program.

Jeff was inspired to enter the EMS field by his parents (Jason and Chaña) and his grandfathers, Reed Don Conover and the late Bruce Andrew Behling, both of whom were volunteer EMTs in Utah in the early days of EMS. To say that he’s done them all proud would be an understatement. American Medical Response is proud to recognize Jeff Behling as a 2019 Star of Life.

Lynn Flores is known for being highly prudent in her decision-making, passionate about her work, and deeply caring. An enthusiastic EMS professional, Lynn consistently seeks opportunities to drive improvement.

This February, EMT-Intermediate Lynn Flores and her partner noticed something strange on their way back to base: a man was on the shoulder of the highway, hitting a limp baby across the back. Lynn immediately pulled over and rushed to help the family. Lynn and her partner took turns giving the baby back blows until the obstruction was dislodged from his throat. Lynn and her partner transported the baby to the hospital, where he made a full recovery.

A local news station learned about the rescue and recognized Lynn and her partner in one of its “Pay It 4ward” segments. Each person featured receives $400 from the station, which the recipient gives to a charity of their choice. Lynn donated her $400 to Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital.

Kenneth Lujan is devoted to both the patients he serves and his fellow co-workers. He takes pride in every aspect of his job, ensuring that patient care is supported by his attention to every detail.

In February of 2015, Kenneth saw an opportunity to improve gurney safety. He took his idea to the Safety Committee and, as a team, they developed a color-coded decal that displays a “green” color when it is safe to move the gurney carrying a patient.

Kenneth is constantly looking for opportunities to further his training, and regularly volunteers to teach continuing education and new training classes for EMS providers and students. Always approachable, Kenneth is often the person that will provide direction on how to improve care for patients. He is truly a mentor to his peers and is a trusted resource for his co-workers.