Build EMS
Every second matters in an emergency. A dedicated EMS ambulance garage ensures our first responders are ready to answer the call—protecting lives and strengthening emergency care when our community needs it most. Your support helps make this lifesaving project possible.
Help Us Build a Modern EMS Garage
At Heart of America Medical Center, we are committed to providing safe, reliable, and timely emergency care to our community. Our current EMS facility, with only two undersized bays, no longer meets the needs of modern ambulance units or the operational demands of a service area supported by four vehicles. Limited space forces one ambulance and the quick response unit to be stored outdoors year-round, causing wear on these essential and costly vehicles.
North Dakota’s extreme temperatures create additional challenges when emergency vehicles and equipment cannot be housed in a climate-controlled environment. Freezing weather can compromise medications, electronic equipment, and other temperature-sensitive supplies that must remain stable to ensure safe and effective patient care. A properly sized, heated ambulance garage is critical to keep all vehicles and materials protected, accessible, and fully operational.
The current facility layout also raises safety and efficiency concerns. Crew quarters are located on the third floor, while the first two floors are occupied by a daycare. EMS responders must navigate several flights of stairs during emergency calls, passing through areas used by children and staff. This setup increases safety risks and can cause avoidable delays in response times.
Building a new, modern ambulance garage will enhance regional emergency response capabilities, improve crew safety, protect vital equipment, and ensure consistent, reliable EMS service for the communities we serve.
This capital campaign also includes naming opportunities for donors who wish to leave a lasting legacy supporting local EMS.
Donations FAQs: EMS & Hospital Projects
Why wasn’t the ambulance garage included in the new hospital build?
The ambulance garage was originally part of the hospital’s design. However, when funding through the USDA didn’t cover the full project, the committee had to make difficult decisions. The main hospital itself was a top priority and needed to be completed first. Since EMS operations are housed in a separate professional building, the garage could be delayed without affecting emergency services, allowing the hospital construction to move forward.
Why were the outbuildings (maintenance shop and apartment complex) constructed before the new ambulance garage?
The outbuildings are an essential part of the hospital campus and were carved out from the USDA-funded hospital project due to budget limitations. HAMC received a $250,000 grant from OBT, which, with matching dollars, provided $500,000 toward the $1,000,000 project. The Health System funded the remainder to complete this much-needed project. These buildings provide space for equipment maintenance, storage for all hospital departments, and additional staff housing—especially for ER, Lab, and Radiology teams. These areas were originally part of the new hospital plan but had to be cut when funding was limited, making the completion of the outbuildings critical for the health system’s operations.
Is the shop behind the hospital the new EMS garage?
No, the shop behind the hospital is the maintenance shop, not the EMS garage. It is a basic, unheated building designed to keep costs low while providing essential space for the hospital’s operations, including equipment storage and general facility needs. A dedicated EMS garage requires additional features and costs due to safety regulations, staff sleeping quarters, ambulance storage, and specialized systems needed for emergency vehicles. The new EMS garage is a separate project and will be built to meet all of these requirements, ensuring our EMS team can operate safely and efficiently.
Have a question?
Contact McKayla Haman, Foundation Coordinator at (701) 776-5455 ext. 2218 or mhaman@hamc.com.
Related Events
April 11th, 2026
Greatest Needs Gala
The Greatest Needs Gala will take place on April 11th at the Rugby Armory. The evening will feature hors d’oeuvres, specialty drinks, live and silent auctions, dinner, dessert, and more.
Purchase your tickets today and support this year’s Greatest Need—Heart of America Medical Center’s EMS Program. The EMS program operates at a loss and is supplemented by Heart of America Medical Center to ensure our community continues to receive the high-quality emergency care it needs and deserves.
