On Monday, June 29, Jennifer Ullsvik, Director for the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Health Care at the State of Wisconsin Division of Public Health, shared two personnel announcements in hiring an EMS Section Chief and EMS/Trauma Medical Director. A third staffing change was also announced separately by a third party.
EMS Section Chief
Mr. James Newlun was named the new Wisconsin EMS Section Chief with a start date of July 13. The position has been vacant since April 2014 and was posted three separate times during the past twelve months.
Since 2002, Mr. Newlun has been an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with Camp Douglas Rescue. As EMT President, he was responsible for all operations, coordination of meetings, and employee/employer relations. Since 2008, Mr. Newlun has been employed as a full-time firefighter at the Volk Field Fire Department in Camp Douglas. While acting in the capacity of Captain he was responsible for completion of daily assignments, and responses to emergencies.
From 2000 – 2011, Mr. Newlun was a member of the Camp Douglas Fire Department and Chief of the Department from 2008 – 2011. He was responsible for managing and directing scenes as an Incident Commander, developing and maintaining the annual budget, and making all fire department purchases. In addition, he managed up to 25 fire department personnel.
From 2001 – 2010, Mr. Newlun was a Hazmat Technician and Safety Officer with the Juneau County Hazmat team, where he directed and coordinated functions of a comprehensive health and safety program.
In addition, Mr. Newlun has experience working with diverse community partners and grant writing. He has also served on the SCRTAC Executive Council for the past two years as the Rural Representative.
EMS/Trauma Medical Director
Ms. Ullsvik also named Dr. Suzanne Martens as the new Wisconsin EMS/Trauma Medical Director beginning July 1, 2015. She replaces Dr. Charles Cady who served as state EMS Medical Director since 2008. Dr. Cady's contract expires June 30, 2015.
Dr. Martens received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, where she also completed Residency. A Fellowship in Emergency Medical Services was completed at Carolinas Medical Center in North Carolina. Dr. Martens also has a Master of Public Health degree, and has been a licensed EMT for over 27 years.
Dr. Martens is currently the EMS and Trauma Program Medical Director at a Level III trauma facility. For 15 years, Dr. Martens has served as the medical director for several local agencies and has the opportunity to work with all levels of EMS providers, career and volunteer, fire-based and private agencies.
EMS education is important to Dr. Martens. She is actively involved in the education of current and new EMTs. She visits new classes at the local technical college, serves as an adjunct instructor, and regularly sponsors education evenings for the EMS personnel in her area.
Dr. Martens has been a member of the EMS Physician Advisory Committee (PAC) since 2001 and the committee’s chair since 2008. She has been involved in the trauma system since 2003, is an active member of the Southeast Regional Trauma Advisory Council (SERTAC), and served as its chair from 2008-2010.
Fred Hornby leaving State's EMS Section in July
In a separate, but somewhat related announcement, the Wisconsin EMS Association wrote on June 29, Mr. Fred Hornby, the state's Paramedic and EMS Education Coordinator, will be leaving his position next month. The announcement by WEMSA indicated Mr. Hornby will serve as their association's Sales and Conference Manager. His duties begin in mid-July and he will manage all aspects of the annual conference and sales operations, as well as the public relations and outreach program.According to PAAW Executive Director Joe Covelli, "Fred is one of the most passionate and dedicated EMS professionals we've had the opportunity to work with. His presence at the EMS office will be missed by us and many others as we could always count on him, his involvement, and professional guidance".
