WISCONSIN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
PO Box 2659
Madison, WI 53701-2659
Click here for the State EMS Office website.
Click here for the staff directory and contact information.
September 7, 2012
PAAW President and Lobbyists Meet with DWD to Clarify Wisconsin EMT Wage and Labor
On Thursday, September 6th PAAW President Patrick Ryan and Midwest Strategy Group (MSG) lobbyists Brian Schimming and Mike Brozch met with several officials from the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). The meeting was arranged by MSG at the request of PAAW.
Based on a recent DWD investigation at Berlin EMS and Federal investigation at River Falls Ambulance, both regarding volunteer EMT wage and labor and on-call response time restrictions, questions began to surface regarding common volunteer EMT pay models, compliance with compensation laws and the perceived threat of investigations elsewhere. This is a big deal when you consider sixty-four percent of Wisconsin's ambulance services are staffed by volunteers.
According to PAAW President Ryan, "The conversation with DWD was extremely productive, and they have no intention of investigating ambulance services unless a complaint is filed with their office".
As part of the meeting, DWD Director John Chiolino presented to PAAW an interoffice memo he authored in June 2012 that specifically addressed "volunteer", nominal wage and on call response time restrictions. This statement offers clarifying language that many ambulance service chiefs and directors will find useful to make sure their organization's are in compliance with Wisconsin's wage and labor laws, especially as they relate to "volunteers".
DWD has given PAAW permission to post to its website and make available the interoffice memo. Click here to download. EMS providers may also contact DWD Director Chiolino directly with any questions at 608-266-3345.
August 17, 2012
NHTSA Final Report Released on State of Wisconsin EMS
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its final report regarding the state of Wisconsin EMS following a three-day visit in late June. The NHTSA technical assistance assessment team, comprised of national and state EMS officials and medical professionals, developed a series of recommendations based on core areas, which is disclosed in the 48-page document.
In general, the NHTSA Reassessment report offers recommendations and encouragement in state office staffing, funding, and data collection and protection.
To review the complete report, click here.
December 21, 2011
EMS Section Issues Draft of State's Two-Year Plan
Wisconsin EMS Section Chief Brian Litza today released a draft of the state’s EMS Plan for 2012 to 2014. Under state Statute 256.08, the Department of Health Services is to complete a state EMS plan every two years. The purpose is to lay out the strategic initiatives for the next two years and be used as a road map for the direction of the EMS system in Wisconsin. To download the plan, click here.
