New museum exhibit highlights 50 years of ALERT
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 2 months, 1 week AGO
An orange jumpsuit worn by the Advanced Life-support and Emergency Rescue Team (A.L.E.R.T) in the 1970s is part of a new exhibit at the Northwest Montana History Museum that highlights the program's 50-year history. (Courtesy photo)
Photos of Alvina Hix, one of the first A.L.E.R.T flight nurses, are part of a new exhibit at the Northwest Montana History Museum in Kalispell. (Courtesy photo)
The Northwest Montana History Museum commemorates 50 years of the ALERT program in a new exhibit that opens Sept. 30.
The exhibit titled It’s Go Time: ALERT Marks 50 Years, pays tribute to members of the local logging industry and medical community who recognized the need for an air rescue program similar to the medevac helicopters used during the Vietnam War.
One of the original flight nurses will be present at a free opening reception scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., offering a personal connection to history. Refreshments will be served.
In 1975, the death of a young logger in a remote area of Northwest Montana focused attention on the need to reach victims as quickly as possible. In response, the ALERT (Advanced Life support and Emergency Rescue Team) was formed. It was the second hospital-based advanced life support helicopter system in the U.S. and the first of its kind in rural America.
In 1980, Clyde Smith, owner of Smith Logging Company, offered his business as collateral to help purchase a helicopter to be owned by the hospital to replace the previously leased aircraft. Since then, the program has advanced into an elite lifesaving air rescue system.
Visitors will see artifacts from one of the first flight nurses, Alvina Hix, including an orange jumpsuit worn in the 1970s, a photo of ALERT’s first mascot and original forms, instructions and paperwork issued during the early years of protocol development.
The exhibit contains little-known trivia about the program, such as its rescue of a business tycoon in Glacier National Park. Items on loan from the early days of ALERT are also featured.
The museum is located at 124 Second Ave. East, Kalispell. Regular museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call 756-8381or visit nwmthistory.org.
View the full ALERT 50 Year Anniversary Commemorative Publication here.
Photos of Alvina Hix, one of the first ALERT flight nurses, are part of a new exhibit at the Northwest Montana History Museum in Kalispell. (Courtesy photo)