SAINT CLOUD — Ann Jenson, Executive Director of Southwest Minnesota EMS, received the EMS Star Award at the 24th annual Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) conference in St. Cloud. Jenson was recognized alongside five other individuals and one radio station for efforts to reduce life-threatening crashes on Minnesota roads. Presented by the Minnesota departments of health, public safety, and transportation, the TZD awards honor work dedicated to enhancing road safety statewide.
Jenson, from Dawson, MN, helped expand emergency response capabilities in rural Minnesota, including piloting a telehealth program for ambulances responding to serious incidents. This program provides additional resources to first responders in remote areas and is part of a recent $9.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a regional tele-EMS system.
Jenson’s other contributions include securing resources for training tools such as a rollover simulator, “Stop-the-Bleed” training kits, and supporting safety coalitions through various TZD initiatives.
