Weekly EMS Update

Future EMS members and multiple FD members assisted in changing the locks to the ambulance hall and have pressure washed and painted the interior.

E-license account was created by the state, which is the formal creation of the new service. Policies and protocols are being uploaded daily to complete the application.

Dr. P’ng signed on as our medical director. We had originally been looking to implement paramedics with our service as staffing allowed. At Dr. P’ng’s recommendation we are going to focus on getting the basic service operational, and Dr. P’ng said that he would be willing to continue the talks of implementing paramedics down the road. We have a meeting set up in person with Dr. P’ng on January 22nd.

We had a round table meeting of Fire and EMS personnel. Four former members of MAAR were in attendance and will be participating with the new service going forward. There have been many inquiries from community members about joining the new service. Some with substantial experience such as a paramedic, an advanced EMT, multiple nurses and an MD. Not to mention multiple licensed EMT’s and many willing to take the class. There is an expedited EMR class starting tonight at Gogebic with multiple people starting the class. I spoke to Ray from Nicolet who stated that we could host a class if we got eight people committed to taking it.

I have spoken to Oneida County who reiterated that they will respond every time they are paged and are satisfied with the contract in place. I spoke to Park Falls Ambulance who stated they will continue covering the flowage area as long as needed. I spoke to Manitowish Waters who stated they will help as they are able to. Manitowish Waters has sent a first responder multiple times and also emergency credentialed first responders in Mercer. Beacon Ambulance also remains committed to assisting as needed.

Jim will be going within the next week to Iron River to borrow supplies to stock one ambulance. Rick will be going tomorrow to Park Falls who is willing to loan supplies to stock the other ambulance. Deb placed an order for disposable supplies yesterday which should be arriving within the next couple of days.

There has been an outpouring of support and enthusiasm from the community for the new service going forward and I thank everyone who has reached out to assist or become a part of the new service.