Wisconsin EMS Director James Newlun announced today Mark Mandler and Rick Stenson were hired as regional EMS coordinators.  They began their duties on January 9.

According to Mr. Newlun, "The EMS Section is now fully staffed, and includes three EMS regional coordinators, one data manager, one licensing coordinator, and one office assistant".

Mark Mandler came to the EMS Section as a limited term employee in 2016. He has assisted with operational plan and protocol reviews.  In the released announcement, Mr. Newlun wrote, "Mark has proven his ability to assist services, EMS directors and medical directors. He has been directly involved in the review of community paramedic programs".

Prior to coming to the EMS Section, Mark volunteered as both a firefighter and an EMT.  Mark holds a paramedic license, various fire service certifications, and is currently completing his law degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School. Mark will be the EMS regional coordinator for Regions 6, and 7.

Rick Stenson has served as an EMS professional for the past 13 years in both the municipal and private sectors, working in both urban and rural settings. Rick has worked as a licensed EMT since 2004, a Critical Care Paramedic since 2008, and has served as a BLS, ACLS, or PALS Instructor for most of his career. Rick will be the EMS regional coordinator for Regions 4, and 5.

With this change, current EMS staff member Ray Lemke moved from First Responder/BLS/Education Coordinator into the Coordinator spot for Regions 1, 2, and 3. 

According to the announcement, Mark, Rick and Ray's responsibilities will be within the seven Healthcare Coalition Regions.  >> Click for Healthcare Coalitions Regions map.  This is a departure from past practice whereby coordinators were assigned by level of licensed provider, i.e., paramedic, intermediate, advanced EMT, basic, first responder, etc.

Coordinators will work with all EMS professionals, Training Centers, Technical Colleges, and agencies within their regions.  The Wisconsin EMS statewide system is comprised of over 600 ambulance services, emergency first responders, and training centers, and 16,500 individual licensed providers.