Big Horn County Ambulance

10/09/2026

An amazing man with an amazing legacy of caring for his fellow humankind.

View James David Upchurch's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/06/2026

Dr. James "Jim" Upchurch’s Celebration of Life will be October 15, 2026 from 5 to 8pm at the Big Horn County Fairgrounds in Hardin Montana.

Please join his family, friends, co-workers, and those he impacted with his amazing dedication to serving others, and the legacy he leaves behind in all those who had the honor to know him.

10/05/2026

"A great doctor leaves behind a legacy not measured in years, but in the countless heartbeats they restored, comforted, and saved." — Unknown

Today the world grew a little less bright with the passing of an amazing man.

Dr. James "Jim" D. Upchurch was an inspiration to many and left a lasting legacy in all those that he met, inspired, taught, treated, and became life long friends with.

Dr. Upchurch served as the Big Horn County EMS medical director for 36 years before he retired from medicine.

Dr. Upchurch held the incomparable role of being the captain at the helm, leading this incredible group of pre-hospital professionals, encouraging us, educating us, and raising the expectations of achievement- with humility, grace, and humor. Former and current medical providers will forever be indebted to his standards of high quality care and his patient first approach, leading all of us to deliver amazing compassion for those we serve.

Dr. Upchurch’s leadership had a prominent influence not only locally, but across the great state of Montana. He served on the Montana Board of Medical Examiners, helping produce protocols and educational standards for all pre-hospital entities in the state. His medical expertise was offered in emergency departments, operating rooms, clinic rooms, ambulances, board rooms, and innumerable other areas, with his gold standard of patient first care being the top priority.

Dr. Upchurch’s distinguished career impacted countless lives, directly, and in those providers he has imparted his wisdom and knowledge with.

Jim was our friend, mentor, leader, guide, and so many more things. He was an amazingly kind soul, who's expectations pushed us to become better providers and professionals, delivering quality care to those entrusted with our skills. He taught us all how to be better at being kind, compassionate, and dedicated professionals. The world in which he practiced has changed, but his everlasting legacy has impacted countless lives by his amazing compassionate presence.

Thank you Dr. Upchurch- for everything.

09/24/2026

Happening today- from 10am-7:30pm, the Big Horn County Public Health Department will be participating in National Save a Life Day and providing free naloxone (an easy-to-use nasal spray that reverses an opioid overdose) to anyone who comes by. It takes just 5 minutes to learn how to save a life- hope to see you there!

09/18/2026

Next Thursday- September 24th 2026, from 10am-7:30pm, the Big Horn County Public Health Department will be participating in National Save a Life Day and providing free naloxone (an easy-to-use nasal spray that reverses an opioid overdose) to anyone who comes by. It takes just 5 minutes to learn how to save a life- hope to see you there!

09/15/2026

Next Thursday- September 24th 2026, from 10am-7:30pm, the Big Horn County Public Health Department will be participating in National Save a Life Day and providing free naloxone (an easy-to-use nasal spray that reverses an opioid overdose) to anyone who comes by. It takes just 5 minutes to learn how to save a life- hope to see you there!

On Thursday, September 24th 2026, from 10am-7:30pm, we’ll be participating in national Save a Life Day and providing free naloxone (an easy-to-use nasal spray that reverses an opioid overdose) to anyone who comes by. It takes just 5 minutes to learn how to save a life- hope to see you there!

09/11/2026

"The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbors... These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. We responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors..." G.W. Bush

08/13/2026

Since 1904 the Crow Fair has become one of the largest gatherings of Northern Native Americans, bringing their heritage, culture, dancing, and celebration to the Apsáalooke Nation and Big Horn County.

Crow leaders and S.C. Reynolds, a US government Indian Agent proposed the event "as an agricultural exhibition to encourage the nomadic tribe to farm, but it quickly transformed into a vibrant celebration of Native American culture".

Since its inception, Crow Fair has also been titled the Teepee Capital of the world with over 1,500 traditional teepees pitched along the Little Bighorn River.

We welcome all visitors to the 107th annual Crow Fair! Please be safe and have an enjoyable celebration. If you need emergency medical care - call 911.





📸 EMT Nikki L

08/01/2026

Happy August 1st!

Last month Big Horn County Ambulance's rescue instructor Travis Bruce taught low angle rope rescue for employees. Big Horn County Ambulance provides rope rescue, vehicle extrication, along with BLS, ALS, and Critical Care prehospital care.

📸 CC-Paramedic Lisa

07/04/2026

"Red, White and Blue
I am for you
Honest, you're a grand old flag
You're a grand old flag
You're a high-flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave
You're the emblem of
The land I love
The home of the free and the brave"
G.M. Cohan 1906

Happy 4th of July! We hope everyone has a safe and memorable celebration on this Independence Day!

📸 Nikki L.