Women-led directors in EMS are few and far between in the public safety industry. For Nora Helfrich, RN, EMT-P, recently retired EMS director for Tri-Community South EMS, she worked her way up to become a leader in her organization, the state of Pennsylvania, and beyond.
Tri-Community South EMS was established in 1977 as the result of an effort to improve medical care in the communities of Bethel Park, South Park and Upper St. Clair in Pennsylvania.
Helfrich joined Tri-Community South EMS in 1980 and became the director in 2000. After a nearly 42-year colorful, stepping-stone EMS career, she retired in October 2021.
Early in her career, she started as a volunteer with Tri-Community South EMS and worked her way up until she held every position within the organization in the beginning as a part-time EMT to full-time EMT. From there, she attended a paramedic program at community college, graduated, and earned her command. In pursuing continued education, she attended the Center for Emergency Medicine’s program with nursing school to boot. While being a full-time paramedic, she was made supervisor of support services, an assistant director position within the organization. Because of her colorful career and those that depended on her resulted in her director’s role for the next 21 years.
While in her director role Helfrich says, “I had a good staff and worked very hard.”
Helfrich doesn’t take no for an answer and changed the landscape of the organization without receiving extra funds from the three municipal governments, designed as an administrative compact.
“Prior to me taking the position, they funded Tri-Community out of their budgets. We turned the system around and paid cash for everything,” Helfrich continues. “When I walked out of the door into retirement, we still remain debt free after 21 years and are well off in financial stability. It’s unheard of in our industry.”
Her empathetic, reasonable, and determined leadership style helps to push forward in confidence for a bright future with Tri-Community South EMS as its first male takes the role as director for the organization. Prior to Helfrich was Mary Ann Scott, who retired from the system in October 2000.
Tri-Community EMS is unusual than most organizations’ histories. The organization has the largest training heart association and built its center from the ground up while paying the building off 10 years ahead of time. Helfrich trailblazed the success for Tri-Community South EMS when making a positive leadership impact for her staff, organization, and community.
“Helfrich says, “In order to be a successful leader, you must have determination while caring about your employees. Take the time to listen to them.”
She adds, “Train everybody how to do everything. Everyone now knows how to do billing, order ambulances, order everything, and so on. Keep everyone included in all of the meetings, so that if I drop dead tomorrow, this place wouldn’t miss a beat because they all know how to do everything.”
Her unique leadership practices helped propel the organization forward with the flow of constant changing times. In addition, Helfrich tackled every challenge as a female leader by overcoming individual challenges and discriminatorily biases in a male-dominated industry.
She has received awards and accolades over the span of her career and still receives letters from other females in the field who are empowered from Helfrich’s leadership style, expertise, and story.
Helfrich notes, “Have respect for the job your team does. As a leader, it’s not just about you. It’s about the whole organization.”
In the past year, The Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC) presented Helfrich with the 2021 Dr. George Moerkirk Memorial Contribution to EMS Award.
Each year the PEHSC, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, recognizes individuals, groups and organizations who comprise the commonwealth’s emergency medical services system for their commitment and dedication to delivering high quality prehospital medical care.
“I was totally shocked and honored by this high achievement,” adds Helfrich.
Helfrich’s legacy is nothing short of a trailblazing victory for females jumping into the public safety field, her team, and Tri-Community South EMS. Through her career, she has listened, taken accountability, and brushed off scrutiny along the way to accomplish impactful and actionable solutions in EMS and her organization.