As an administrative assistant at Frontier Ambulance, Carol Harper has become a driving force in the role of community relations and outreach in building stronger connections between EMS, Fremont County, Wyoming, and the Wind River Reservation community. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by trauma victims, Carol partnered with Tribal Victim Services, Local Victim Services, and Frontier EMTs to create a safe space where individuals can seek help and access resources to begin rebuilding their lives.

Carol has also been an advocate for addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) as the Project & Outreach Coordinator for MMIP Wind River. She was instrumental in bringing the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign on Human Trafficking to Frontier’s Riverton and Lander stations, ensuring EMS crews, law enforcement, and search and rescue agencies received critical training on how to identify warning signs and respond appropriately, knowledge especially vital given the higher risks faced by Native American populations.

Additionally, Carol collaborates closely with the American Red Cross of Wyoming as the Relationship Management DCS Community Partnership Lead to enhance disaster preparedness in Fremont County, working with FEMA and city government in developing an effective Emergency Management Plan. She also works with local veteran organizations to coordinate the Veterans Day Parade and assists and supports local veteran events and activities. She is the mother of two U.S. Marines, and her son is an OIF veteran.

Carol regularly attends training courses to expand her skills and share best practices with her community, including Suicide Prevention and Mental Health First Aid. A passionate supporter of EMS, Carol believes strongly in advancing the role of EMS as an essential service in Wyoming. Through her efforts to foster partnerships, expand awareness, access critical resources, and champion preparedness, Carol is helping ensure the best possible outcomes for the patients and communities Frontier Ambulance serves.

Lauri Wempen is being honored as a Star of Life for her leadership and service to her community and to clinicians throughout her state. Lauri has been with Guardian Flight Wyoming for the past six years and has been working in EMS in communities throughout Wyoming for the past thirty-five years. Among her many achievements, Lauri served as the EMS Director for Fremont County EMS from 1998-2013. During this time, she instructed new EMTs and helped to build the EMS personnel in Wyoming, many of whom are still working the front lines today. She also continued to take ambulance calls to support her staff and community. Additionally, Lauri was an appointed member of the Wyoming Governor’s Board for Public Safety and Communication from 2007–2013, and she represented Wyoming in 2010 during EMS on The Hill in Washington, D.C.

Lauri obtained her Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, and Firefighter Instructor 1 certifications, and worked as a volunteer Firefighter in Fremont County, Wyoming. She started working in 2001 and retired from the fire service in 2021. In 2013, Lauri obtained her Paramedic degree and continued her education to progress to the Flight Paramedic level. Lauri joined Guardian Flight in 2016 as a Flight Paramedic and has worked her way up to the base lead.