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From the Wisconsin Department of Public Health:
Responding to an emergency situation can be both rewarding and taxing on individuals. First responders coming back from a prolonged deployment may face challenges adjusting to their normal routine. People may display symptoms and reactions such as:
Self-Care Pocket Reference Guide for Emergency Response Deployment P-01435 (PDF, 256 KB) - A guide for volunteer responders that includes pre- and post- deployment checklists and self-reflection activities. This resource was originally created for the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health, and reprinted with their permission.
VIDEO RELEASE EVENT: Fentanyl: The Real Deal
The video is designed for roll call training and reinforces key messages from Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for First Responders.
Join us for the launch of the video on livestream August 30 at 2:00 pm ET
Senior Federal Officials
Representatives from National Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS Associations
By Samantha Hilker
“It was the most humbling and exciting experience of my life…”
Dave Mike was selected as the Professional Ambulance Association’s Star of Stars at the 2017 Wisconsin Star of Life Awards. Dave was selected from 29 of his peers who were also honored at the event held in conjunction with the Paramedic Systems of Wisconsin Conference in Green Bay. Although all 30 stars had amazing stories, something about Dave stood out. 22 somethings, actually…
About 14 years ago Dave and his wife decided to give foster care a try, and in early 2004 they took in their first foster child. Since then, they have fostered 22 children. TWENTY TWO. They also lead and facilitate a foster and adoptive parent support group through their church in Whitefish Bay.
As the Star of Stars, Dave was able to attend the American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life event this past June in Washington D.C. which included Capitol Hill visits with elected officials, a luncheon at the National Press Club, and sightseeing with his wife and two of his daughters. “Being selected as the Wisconsin Star of Stars was the most humbling and exciting experience of my life. I cannot thank Paratech, PAAW, and the American Ambulance Association enough for the experience” shared Dave.
As a 45-year veteran in EMS, Dave has seen a lot of changes to our profession. His smile is contagious and his attitude inspiring; he offered some advice for those just starting out, or wondering if a long and successful EMS career is really in the cards for them…
“You have to be in it for the people. If you care about the people you are taking care of, you will be happy. I tell foster families the same thing – you have to be in it for the people. You also need to find something away from work (EMS) that makes you happy. You need that time away from all of the stress and terrible things we see to rest and recharge.”
A big part of the Stars event is learning about how government relations and advocacy effects EMS, and how important it is to get out there on a local, state, regional and national level to share our story with elected officials. Dave would love to see all of us in EMS getting more involved as a “newbie” or a veteran of the profession and suggests city council meetings as a great place to start.
PAAW appreciates all EMS providers in the State of Wisconsin and across the nation. The Stars events are a great opportunity to recognize and honor the amazing work you do on a daily basis, and we look forward to another Wisconsin banquet in 2019!
From the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services Section:
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Riccardo Colella has been named State Emergency Medical Services Medical Director, effective immediately. Dr. Colella succeeds Dr. Susan Martens whose term ended June 30, 2018.
Register Now! Wisconsin EMS
WARDS Elite Training Courses
The Wisconsin EMS Section is happy to announce multiple opportunities to participate in the WARDS Elite Training Course. The purpose of the course is to educate users on the function and options of the WARDS Elite program with emphasis on the CQI and Report Writer modules. Successful completion of this course will provide eight hours of continuing education for attending both nights.
The classes will run for from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with registration starting at 5:30 p.m.
The courses dates and locations are as follows:
Please register for Course #1049572 through WI Train. Specific location information will be provided when registered for one of the sessions.
Over the next several months, the PAAW board of directors will appoint a new director to fill a vacancy in the MUNICIPAL SERVICE (ex: municipal, county owned, etc) category. Please submit nominations of self or others via our convenient online form.
SUBMIT A NOMINATION>
Thank you for your support and participation.
Happy 4th of July from PAAW!
by Samantha Hilker
Elizabeth "Ela" Rybczyk (pronounced rib-chick) is the new Region 4 & 5 Coordinator for the Wisconsin EMS Office. She officially started the role on May 14th, 2018, and has been hard at work learning the EMS system, building relationships and responding to questions. I had the opportunity to speak with her over the phone about her history in EMS and her vision for EMS in Wisconsin.
S: Ela, can you share a bit about your history in EMS?
E: I started in EMS in 2008 as an EMT Basic for an urban commercial agency in Rochester, New York, and became a paramedic in 2010. I have worked in a variety of different settings including both urban and rural I have had the opportunity to treat a diverse population of patients. In 2012I became a critical care paramedic and began to focus on inter-facility transports. I have also worked as a training director for my agency.
S: What brought you to make a move to Wisconsin?
E: I was looking around at different job opportunities when I found the job posting for this role. Honestly, it just felt right. I have always loved Madison, and everyone in Wisconsin is so outdoorsy; I enjoy being outdoors, too. The EMS system in Wisconsin is quite progressive, and I enjoy that as well. EMS is my passion, and I feel lucky to have the opportunity to come here and work in a different arena of EMS.
S: What are your goals for EMS in Wisconsin?
E: My immediate goal is to learn the region, state, and EMS system as a whole. There are a lot of similarities between New York State and Wisconsin, but a lot of differences as well. My long-term goal is to be supportive of the EMS community and to see the system succeed. I’m going to do my best to be here to answer questions and support services and providers as best as I can. I am still learning, but Ray and Mark have been great at leading me through the process and getting me trained up.
I have to say that Ela’s energy and excitement for EMS came through even on the phone. PAAW looks forward to working with her over the years to come. She also shared that she loves mountain climbing and, with Wisconsin being quite flat, she’s open to suggestions on great climbing spots. If you have any recommendations (or questions) for Ela, you can find her at Elizabeth.Rybczyk@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Jonathan “Mark” Lockhart started as the EMS Section Chief on May 29, 2018. I had the opportunity to speak with him about his history in EMS, and his hopes for Wisconsin.
S: Mark, we saw the short bio and description come out from the state when your acceptance of the position was announced, but can you share a little bit more with us about your history in EMS?
M: Well, I initially got my start with EMS as a Boy Scout explorer in high school. My 36 year EMS career jumped off in 1982 when I started as a volunteer EMT with a service outside of St. Louis, MO. From there, I was hired by a fire department in 1983, about six months after I had finished paramedic school. I stayed with that fire district for eight years. I also flew with the air medical service during that time (for about 1.5 years) then started teaching and doing some quality assurance in St. Louis County. Working with QA and teaching led me to a full-time position within the hospital full time as the Director of EMS Education. As part of this role, I worked very closely with Medical Control which included writing policy, procedure, and protocol. After some time, the fire department I had previously spent eight years with asked me to come back as their EMS Chief, and I did for the next 12 years. The Chief retired and, after acting as interim Chief, I was appointed as Fire Chief. I began thinking about how I had been in the same area for my entire life, and it was time for a change of scenery. That is what led me to the for Stafford County, VA, where I have been for the past five years as Fire and EMS Chief and two years as an Assistant Chief before that.
S: What made you want to come to Wisconsin?
M: My passion has always been EMS, so after 36 years in the fire service, and some soul searching, I had a bit of an epiphany and decided to refocus on that passion and get back to what I genuinely love doing. I saw the position posted for Wisconsin and thought it seemed like a natural fit. I had heard and read a lot of great things about the EMS system in Wisconsin regarding how progressive it is, including the legislative changes that went through last year, and the community EMS initiative that is taking root. I’m excited to be here and be a part of it.
S: Now that you’ve been in Wisconsin and the role for a few weeks, what are your initial thoughts and goals for EMS in Wisconsin?
M: I had the opportunity to attend my first round of EMS meetings at the beginning of June, and I’ve already learned a lot. I enjoyed the opportunity to listen, learn and get a feel for the perspectives represented. I look forward to working with everyone to move EMS in Wisconsin forward.
S: What do the EMS providers in Wisconsin need to know about you, and your plans for us?
M: I come from a really broad background in that I’ve worked for rural, volunteer, career fire, air medical and hospital services. I have also been involved with professional associations at a local, state and national level. I am very blessed to have seen EMS in many different settings and from many different perspectives, and I want to be able to leverage that experience here so we can build on what is already a very solid foundation. I believe there are significant opportunities for further growth and development. I am excited about what I am hearing discussed in meetings and around WI, and happy to have met everyone so far. I look forward to meeting more EMS providers from around the state and working with the local trauma advisory councils as well.
While it was a short conversation with Mark, his energy and excitement were apparent. He brings a diverse history and perspective to the table, and I believe he wants to make a positive impact on Wisconsin EMS. PAAW looks forward to working with him in the years to come.
If you have questions for Mark, you can contact him at Jonathan.Lockhart@wisconsin.gov
by Samantha Hilker Gold Cross Ambulance Service, Inc., a longstanding member of PAAW, is doing some great things in their corner of the world, so we’re shining the spotlight on them!
The team at Gold Cross is taking community involvement and public outreach to heart, and it is making a difference for the community as well as the EMTs and paramedics on staff.
“Gold Cross Ambulance believes that to be truly involved in pre-hospital healthcare you must educate the public to help improve patient outcomes. At Gold Cross, there are many areas of public education and community outreach that help engage and educate our community. We partner with the local healthcare systems, Ascension, and ThedaCare, to help provide many of these educations. Our public education and community outreach initiatives include our HeartStart Foundation public AED placement, PulsePoint, Stop the Bleed training, Hands-Only CPR education, and participation in Stroke education. We hope that with education and engagement we create a healthier community” explains Nick Romenesko, Clinical & Quality Manager for Gold Cross.
Gold Cross’ flagship event for the last several years has been the CPR at the Park Night, a collaborative event planned by representatives of Gold Cross, Ascension, American Heart Association, ThedaCare and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The event starts with free HOCPR, and AED awareness demos and participants are encouraged to download the PulsePoint Respond app. In June of 2017 Gold Cross launched the Pulse Point Respond app through their dispatch center. The app alerts CPR trained citizens to a cardiac arrest in a public location and tells them the location of the nearest public access AED, so they may respond, initiate CPR, and apply the AED when they are within 0.25 miles of that patient’s location. The Timber Rattlers include in-game messaging about cardiovascular disease, healthy choices, symptoms of acute coronary syndrome, and several survivors take to the field along with their family, bystander rescuers, pre-hospital and in-hospital care teams to highlight the import role each of them plays in the chain of survival.
The main goal of the CPR at the Park event was to educate the public on the importance of bystander action in the chain of survival through highlighting survivors and their rescuers willing to share their stories. This event also provides an opportunity for survivors and their families to reconnect with the responding EMTs and paramedics – an opportunity that makes a difference in the lives of those responders.
"It is incredibly humbling to know that I was part of a team that contributed so profoundly to the positive outcome another person's most perilous moment. Meeting someone, and their family members, face to face after having witnessed them so close to death was extremely inspiring. So far in my career, this success has been the ultimate expression of why we do what we do in EMS. In particular, it was amazing to have the opportunity to meet our young patient's father. He was present during a portion of the resuscitation attempt, and I remember feeling guilty that in the midst of the resuscitation efforts I couldn't give him more detailed information about what was happening to his daughter. I recall that as we left the scene, the only thing I was able to tell him was "she has a pulse again." So, to later shake that man's hand and see him standing alongside his healthy and happy young daughter was something I will remember for the rest of my career" shared John Drees, paramedic with Gold Cross.
I had the privilege of speaking with Don, one of the cardiac arrest survivors that participated in the 2017 CPR at the Park game. Don ran one of the local 5k’s in May 2017; after completing the race, he didn’t feel well and found a shady place to rest near the finish line. A few friends and medical volunteers recognized the warning signs and flagged down the paramedics from the staged ambulance for further evaluation and treatment. Don was having a STEMI, went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance, was resuscitated and transported to a local hospital for definitive treatment. Don ran the same 5k this year, on the one-year anniversary of his arrest. Gold Cross arranged for the treating crew and the bike team to support Don through the 5k and meet him at the finish line. Don shared what it meant for his heroes, as he calls them, to be there to support him:
“I am so very thankful for those who helped not only me but all the others who need the emergency help. The people were very professional and friendly. I enjoyed talking to them after the Sole Burner Run. I appreciated the gal who joined in with me up the Hill of Hope! It gave me a boost! You certainly have a great team! I know that many times there are people who are not as lucky as I am. It must be hard on one’s mind to go through that. My father passed away from heart disease when he was only 50. I never knew his parents, my grandparents, because of the same. I thank God and your team at Gold Cross Ambulance.”
Gold Cross has a busy summer ahead of them with public education and outreach events to include hands-only CPR, AED and Stop the Bleed. They are also in the process of rolling out PulsePoint Verified Responder; they will be joining five other agencies in the country in alerting their off-duty EMTs and paramedics to a cardiac arrest in private residences, so they can respond and administer CPR. This program is completely voluntary for employees and is in addition to the existing PulsePoint Respond app. They will be sharing more about their community outreach program, and PulsePoint, at the Paramedic Systems of Wisconsin conference this September.
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