Big Delta Rescue seeks new medical director ahead of October 31 deadline

Big Delta Rescue is seeking a new physician sponsor after its current physician sponsor on October 1 announced plans to withdraw endorsement effective October 31. Without an approved replacement, the local emergency medical service will no longer meet state requirements to operate at the Advanced Life Support (ALS) level beginning November 1.

The Alaska Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) confirmed that BDR’s physician sponsor notified the state of on October 1 the intent to withdraw endorsement as the organization’s medical director, effective October 31, 2026.

According to Justin Perkins, executive director of the Interior Region EMS Council, BDR has proactively taken steps to maintain continuity of care. The organization has engaged prospective replacement medical directors and submitted the necessary documentation to OEMS for approval.

Under Alaska Statute 18.08 and 7 AAC 26, certified ALS ambulance services must maintain appropriate staffing and meet state certification requirements. Perkins explained that the state’s minimum staffing requirements include at least one certified ALS attendant, such as an EMT-2, Advanced EMT or paramedic, along with an EMT assistant or driver. These are the minimum state requirements and do not necessarily reflect additional requirements or contractual agreements between BDR and the City of Delta Junction.

However, staffing alone is not sufficient to authorize ALS operations. Under 7 AAC 26.030 and AS 18.08.082, an ALS provider’s scope of practice, including medication administration and invasive procedures, requires the authorization and oversight of an approved physician medical director. Without an active, approved physician sponsor, BDR cannot legally operate as an ALS-level ambulance service in Alaska.

The search for a new medical director comes amid another recent staffing change at the rescue service. BDR’s operations director departed earlier this month, and one of the service’s paramedics, Gene Ryzen, has temporarily assumed those duties.

BDR Board President Chris Morley declined to comment.

Delta Medical Transport CEO Amber White stressed that her organization is not waiting in the wings to come back as the EMS provider for the region.

“Bringing DMT back is not even an option. I have no intention of bringing DMT back into 911,” White stated.

Big Delta Rescue currently operates with a four-person response team: paramedics Joshua Russell and Ryzen, EMT-2 Harry Scudder, and EMT Trisan McFarland. Ryzen is serving as both a paramedic and interim operations director.

With the physician sponsor’s departure date rapidly approaching, BDR’s ability to secure an approved replacement will be critical to maintaining its ALS-level operations and the emergency medical services available to the Delta Junction region.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

‍