Gov. Gianforte Sends National Guard to Aid Four More Hospitals

• September 24 2021

HELENA, Mont. – After receiving four formal requests this morning, Governor Greg Gianforte today announced he is sending Montana National Guardsmen to hospitals in Livingston, Kalispell, Whitefish, and Plains.

“To ease the load our civilian soldiers and airmen carry as they support the state, we’re fulfilling formal requests for Guard resources with Guardsmen residing in or near their communities, so they can sleep in their own beds at night as they assist hospitals in their COVID response,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Our entire state thanks them for their continued service and sacrifice.”

The four requests received today, as well as all formal requests received and being fulfilled by the state since last week, are below:

• On September 15, St. Peter’s Health in Helena submitted a formal request for 10 Guard. This request was fulfilled on September 24 with 10 Guard.
• On September 15, Billings Clinic in Billings submitted a second formal request for 10 additional Guard. This request was fulfilled on September 24 with 10 Guard.
• On September 15, St. James Healthcare in Butte submitted a formal request for six Guard. This request will be fulfilled with six Guard.
• On September 17, St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings submitted a formal request for 10 Guard. This request was fulfilled on September 22 with 10 Guard. 
• On September 17, Missoula County submitted a formal request for 24 Guard. This request was fulfilled on September 24 with 24 Guard.
• On September 20, Bozeman Health in Bozeman submitted a formal request for 10 Guard. This request will be fulfilled with 10 Guard.
• On September 22, Benefis Health System in Great Falls submitted a formal request for 20 Guard. This request will be fulfilled with 20 Guard.
• On September 24, Livingston HealthCare in Livingston submitted a formal request for six Guard. This request will be fulfilled with six Guard.
• On September 24, Logan Health in Kalispell submitted a formal request for 25 Guard. This request will be fulfilled with 25 Guard.
• On September 24, Logan Health Whitefish submitted a formal request for two Guard. This request will be fulfilled with two Guard.
• On September 24, Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains submitted a formal request for four Guard. This request will be fulfilled with four Guard.

The state is working directly with and anticipates additional formal requests for Guard resources from other hospitals. At the direction of the governor, all hospitals have received a COVID-19 response resource guide, which includes step-by-step instructions on how to submit a formal request for Guard resources.

The governor’s office will continue to provide resources to hospitals to help them secure necessary staffing and proactively and directly collaborate with hospitals to help address needs as they arise.

At the governor’s direction, Montana Disaster and Emergency Services is assisting hospitals in the process of securing full reimbursements from FEMA for eligible COVID-19 staffing needs.

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