EMS Week 2015 discussion with Ron Fruit and Darin Gudgeon.

Since 1973, when President Ford established the week to recognize Emergency Medical Services and its workers, communities around the United States have paused to thank those in the community that do so much to keep them healthy and strong. Richland County is no exception, having often proclaimed National Emergency Medical Services Week a week to both celebrate the dedication of this select group of residents and foster conversations regarding health and safety of residents.

Across the country, as EMS faces challenges such as community para-medicine and frequent changes in protocols, EMTs have proven persistent and resilient. Each community is made up of different people going through different struggles. EMTs are some of these people. They are neighbors and friends. They are students praying to survive Finals week. They are parents hoping their kids don’t catch that flu going around at daycare. They are co-workers trying to make deadlines. They are other drivers on the road, other shoppers at the store, other faces on the street. They are human, which means they understand. EMTs have been there. They have watched family members struggle and have struggled themselves with illness or injury. So when their pager goes off, they know the need. Thanks to hours of classes and experiences, they often know the answer.

One of their goals in EMS Week is to raise awareness of the common reasons they are called and how you can reduce your risk. For almost every EMS service, the number one dispatch reason is a fall, which in many cases can be addressed by wearing non-slip shoes and removing rugs or mats that may trip you. Regarding car accidents, never drive distracted, come to a complete stop at stop signs, and check for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. As always, eat healthy and exercise regularly. Try to keep a list of current medications in your wallet or purse as well as information on any allergies or medical conditions that may be important for EMTs to know in the case that you are unable to communicate. Get to know your neighbors and have someone you can call if you just need a hand up or need someone to keep an eye on the house. And if you feel you or someone you love may need an ambulance, just dial 9-1-1. Don’t be surprised if you recognize a few faces when they come to help you onto the road to recovery.

Join WRCO and UW-Richland in welcoming guest panelists Ken Bartz, Chuck Happel, and Josh Kowalke for a conversation about emergency medical services. This Community Education Forum will be held in the Pippin Center at UW-Richland on Monday, December 15, at 6pm.

The panelists will discuss how EMS has changed in Wisconsin since it got its official start in 1968 and what it takes to work in the field. Each of the panelists brings with them a unique perspective and knowledge of Wisconsin EMS. Ken Bartz is the lead instructor of EMS at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, training students across the region on emergency medical care. Chuck Happel is the Wisconsin Department of Health Services EMS Program Coordinator for Advanced Life-Support, working with intermediate-level ambulance squads to grant licensure and ensure compliance. Josh Kowalke is the Board President for the Wisconsin EMS Association, helping to strengthen the emergency care provided in Wisconsin though education, information, and legislative action.

The goal of this event is help the Richland Center community better understand emergency medical services from a grander perspective and answer any questions that may exist. While there have been many discussions recently regarding EMS in the area, this event will focus on EMS at the regional and state level. Potential topics include the differences in education and care from first responder to paramedic and how the introduction of career positions has impacted the original volunteer ambulance model in rural areas.

Dean Patrick Hagen said, “I am delighted that UW-Richland’s Pippin Conference Center can be the site for this very important discussion about EMS issues in Wisconsin. The purpose of the forum is to help educate the public. We’re pleased whenever we can serve the community in that way.”

This community education forum is made possible through partnerships with WRCO, UW-Richland, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Wisconsin Department of Health Services – EMS, and the Wisconsin EMS Association. For more information, please contact Ron Fruit at rfruit@wrco.com.

Download the flyer here.

Local EMT Trainees Reach Halfway Mark In Class

Back on August 19^th, a group of seven Richland Center residents met in Readstown to begin an 18-week journey that would test their courage, perseverance, patience, and dedication. Sponsored by the Richland County Ambulance made possible by special training grants, this year’s group of EMT Trainees includes Richard Brown, Amber Burch, Julie Hendricks, Dolan Hostetler, Cody Layer, Katie Spry, and Connie Studnicka. Now halfway through the course to become Emergency Medical Technician – Basics, these students reflect on what they’ve learned and recognize the amount of work left on the road to an EMT license.

Though the group is united under that common goal, the students come from a variety of backgrounds. Katie Spry is a recent high school graduate and employee at Ed’s Family Foods. Spry said she had always desired a career that would be fast paced and that would benefit humanity in some way. “I pictured myself undertaking an occupation involving international travels, such as bringing clean water to children in Africa. However, I realized I don’t need to go any farther than my own community to help people in a practical way.” Amber Burch, formerly of Hillsboro now employed at Neighborhood Housing Services, grew up with family in emergency services, which led her to pursuing being an EMT. Connie Studnicka decided to take the EMT course after stumbling upon a number of incidents requiring EMS services and one pointed question last spring by fellow classmate Richard Brown, “Have you ever thought of becoming an EMT?” Another classmate, Cody Layer, is an active member of the Richland Center Fire Department. [Read more…]

Take the challenge, donate and help us create a world without ALS!

Experience the #IceBucketChallenge phenomenon that’s spreading ALS Awareness across the country.

Derek Goplen of Richland Center EMS took the #IceBucketChallenge and challenges everyone to donate to ALS or another charity of your choice.

The members of the Richland County Ambulance Service would like to thank all the students, parents and teachers that participated in the coloring contest in honor of National EMS Week. As a token of our appreciation we will be handing out “Dedicated for Life” bracelets to all the children that participated in the contest. The bracelets will be delivered to teacher’s of each class that participated for disbursement. We would also like to thank our Honorary Judges; Sheila McCauley, Loren Abraham, Connie Studnicka, and Lori Post. Loren and Sheila were long time EMT’s of our squad. Lori is a current member and Connie is new to our service as a trainee.

[Read more…]