Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal presents Jana E. Bishop's family with a plaque commemorating her service. Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal presents Jana E. Bishop's family with a plaque commemorating her service.[/caption]

A number of city and county officials as well as first responders gathered Aug. 12 for the dedication and opening ceremony of the new Jana E. Bishop Emergency Medical Services Station No. 40 in Magnolia.

“She was a role model to each and every one of us,” state Rep. Cecil Bell Jr., R-Magnolia, said. “It’s an honor to be here today. I am grateful and thankful that we have folks like Jana who put themselves in harm’s way to take care of those they might not even know.”

Bishop served as a paramedic for the Montgomery County Hospital District from 2000 to 2006 and worked as a PHI Air Medical employee before her death in a helicopter incident in June 2008.

The station, which is located at 14583 FM 1488 near Magnolia High School, is the newest of the hospital district’s 23 EMS stations. MCHD officials respond to about 50,000 service calls each year and serve an estimated 500,000 people located on 1,100 square miles throughout the county, according to the MCHD website.

“This is the first Montgomery County Hospital District EMS station dedicated in Magnolia,” Judge Craig Doyal said. “This young lady [Bishop], although I didn’t get a chance to know her, dedicated herself, her career and gave her life in service. I think it’s important that we remember the fire department, EMS and all of those who provide that service to us.”

Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley said the new station will help meet the area’s growing health care needs. Montgomery County is projected to triple in size and reach a projected 1.5 million people in 40 years, he said.

Montgomery County commissioners are committed to increasing funds for first responders in the 2015-16 county budget, which is set for approval on Sept. 2, Riley said.

“This facility represents so many things,” Riley said. “It represents our commitment to all those who have fallen in service to our community, it represents our commitment to respond to the needs of our community today and our commitment to recognize the growth that our county is experiencing.”

During the ceremony, Bishop’s mother was presented with a copy of her daughter’s plaque, which is now placed in front of the EMS station. The Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce also carried out a ribbon cutting for the new facility to close the ceremony.

“As I'm traveling, Magnolia is one of those areas across the county that’s amazing for me to see,” Doyal said. “It’s amazing to see how the community comes together to help anyone in need.”