A new concept for the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) -- paramedics treating patients before they call 911. They'll start this week, and this will help cut down on the number of emergency calls MFD gets from the same home each month.

They're called community paramedics, and they'll specialize in treating chronic conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

"The issue with asthma is you can get the air in, but you can't necessarily squeeze it out," said Sarah Brundidge, manager of lung health services with the American Lung Association in Wisconsin.

These paramedics are training with the American Lung Association, thanks to a grant from the United Health Foundation.

"Milwaukee has some of the highest rates of asthma in the country," said Brundidge.

MFD dispatch records show 24% of calls are from individuals with 'difficulty breathing.' The same patient could call as many as 40 times in six months.

Source:  Fox 6 News, Milwaukee

Photo Credit:  Logan Sechler of Sechler Photography, LLC

>> Click to download the 2015 Wisconsin Stars of Life program booklet, which includes information on each honoree.

Words of congratulations and thank you, smiles, handshakes, hugs, and so much more were abundant at this year's Wisconsin Stars of Life, which recognized twenty-six honorees nominated by their respective ambulance service or an organization.  The two-day event was held in Green Bay on September 23 and 24.

The celebration began at Lambeau Field with a Welcome Reception that was kicked off by VP of Marketing Gabrielle Dow, followed by a welcome message by Director of Sports Medicine Pepper Burruss, both of them with the Green Bay Packers.  Wisconsin Star of Life introductions came next that included personal stories and accolades by the Stars' respective employer, co-worker or family member, to include presentation of a commemorative Star of Life lapel pin for each.

The following day the Paramedic Systems of Wisconsin Conference provided for the formal dinner and awards program, where each Star was formally introduced and inducted as a Wisconsin Star of Life honoree, and presented with a gold medallion and signed certificate of appreciation from Governor Scott Walker.

The program concluded with the announcement Fire and EMS Chief Deonne Eske with Ashippun Fire Department was chosen as Wisconsin's representative to attend the National Stars of Life program next year in Washington, D.C.  National Stars of Life is produced by the American Ambulance Association.  

During the past thirty-two years, Eske has been a volunteer EMT/firefighter, lieutenant, captain, and is currently chief at the department. In 2014, she attended 100% of fire and EMS meetings and over 90% of fire and rescue calls as a volunteer. In addition, Eske presents an annual fire safety program to the elderly, including calling 911 and how to prepare for the ambulance arriving.  Her department's nomination also included how she follows up on patients who were recently transported by the ambulance - even cleaning and changing bed sheets before they came back home.

Wisconsin Stars of Life honorees have been invited to a one-day event at the State Capitol on Tuesday, October 27, for recognition before the Senate and Assembly in their respective chambers, as well as meet with their local legislators.

2015 Wisconsin Stars of Life honorees included:

The past two weeks have seen swift action to make population and waiver amendments to first responder legislation now making its way through the bill writing process. The Senate version, first passed on June 9, was changed to closely mirror the Assembly's Health Committee version.  

According to the amendments, population less than 10,000 can automatically staff a first responder as a legal crew member, and doesn't require a staffing plan waiver.  More than 20,000 population can't use first responders as a legal crew staffing option.  Population is defined by the single largest municipality in the ambulance service's coverage area.

Population 10,000 or more but not more than 20,000 may apply to the Department of Health for a staffing plan waiver; however, certain conditions must be demonstrated to include all of the following:

• The ambulance service provider has undertaken efforts to recruit and train emergency medical technicians capable of being licensed under this section.
• Despite efforts under subd. 2. a., licensed emergency medical technicians are not available in sufficient numbers for staffing for the ambulance services provider.
• Without a waiver under subd. 1., the municipality that the ambulance service provider serves is unable to meet staffing requirements for ambulances that require 2 emergency medical technicians on every service call.
• The department shall provide a written staffing waiver to any ambulance service provider it approves under subd. 2.
• A waiver under subd. 1. is valid for 48 months after the date of issuance, and an ambulance service provider may apply to renew the waiver.
• An ambulance service provider with a waiver under subd. 1. shall attempt to staff an ambulance with 2 licensed emergency medical technicians whenever possible.

A legislative bill allowing one first responder to be part of a two-person legal ambulance crew in municipalities of less than 10,000 population passed the Assembly's Health Committee this past week and is now headed to the full Assembly for a hearing - possibly as early as next week.  The Senate passed its version back in June.

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin, along with North Memorial Medical Center, sponsored last week a two-day Community Paramedicine Study Tour to Minneapolis.

A post review discussion of items learned during the recent Tour took place September 18.  The conversation lasted 60 minutes, and brought out important items from all perspectives with creating a community paramedicine program.

To listen to the on-demand playback, click this link:  http://tobtr.com/7928901

Green Bay Packers Vice President of Marketing and Fan Engagement, Gabrielle Dow, announced on September 16, team Director of Sports Medicine Administration, Pepper Burruss, will deliver the welcome reception message at next week's Wisconsin Stars of Life event.  Dow is also participating in the event by providing opening remarks.

Twenty-six Wisconsin Stars of Life honorees, each nominated by their respective ambulance service, will be recognized in a series of events in Green Bay on September 23 and 24.  The first is a kickoff Welcome Reception at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, on Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  The second event on Thursday is a formal awards and dinner banquet during the Paramedic Systems of Wisconsin Conference at Tundra Lodge and Conference Center.

About Pepper Burruss
One of the more visible people in the organization, Pepper Burruss embarks upon his 23rd season with the Packers and his 39th in the NFL overall. Burruss, a certified athletic trainer and physical therapist, enters his first season as director of sports medicine administration after 22 years as the head athletic trainer. He joined the Green Bay Packers in 1993 following 16 seasons with the New York Jets as an assistant athletic trainer.

Burruss has won several awards during his NFL tenure. Most recently, he earned the NFL Physicians Society’s Outstanding NFL Athletic Trainer award for the 2012 season at the annual NFL Scouting Combine.

The Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program (CCEMTP) course will meet every Thursday and Friday, 8 am – 5pm, beginning April 7, 2016 through May 27, 2016.

A nationally recognized training program Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program (CCEMTP®) offers experienced paramedics and nurses a foundation that will prepare you to become a critical care transport specialist. This intense 100-plus hour course, presented at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI was developed by the Department of Emergency Health Services at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); The curriculum has such an excellent reputation that it is accepted as the base course for many other state and national level certification training.

>> Click for course brochure containing further information and registration form.

For more information contact, Rick Barton in the EMS Education Department at Gundersen Health System, rkbarton@gundersenhealth.org. or by phone at (608) 775-6315.

This continuing education activity is approved by UMBC, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS).

Based on member interest, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin completed a conference call on September 15 with Wisconsin Department of Revenue TRIP Administrator Joseph Mugenga.  TRIP, which stands for Tax Refund Interception Program, is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR).  >> Click here for the DOR TRIP website.

>> To listen to the conference call playback on-demand, click this link:  http://tobtr.com/7892733

The call lasted 50 minutes with several important points highlighted and questions answered.

>> Click to read Act 59 (2015 Senate Bill 40 - TRIP) signed into law by Governor Scott Walker

>> To listen to the conference call playback on-demand, click this link:  http://tobtr.com/7892733

>> Click here for the Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue TRIP website.

A former paramedic convicted of endangering patients by stealing pain meds and swapping them out with other substances will spend five months in jail and four years on probation.

During a sentencing hearing Wednesday, September 9, in Sauk County Circuit Court, 40-year-old Jason M. Ramker, formerly of Portage, was convicted of misconduct in office and possession of narcotic drugs.

Eleven other felony and misdemeanor charges against Ramker were dismissed as part of a plea agreement with the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office.

>> Click to read more.

Based on member interest, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin has arranged a conference call with two representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) who are in charge of administering TRIP.  The conference call is open to those interested and is dedicated to discussing TRIP and answering questions.

The DOR/TRIP conference call is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, starting at 2:00 p.m.  Listen or participate by either phoning in at 646-929-1081 (Blog Talk Radio) or via any internet connected device at this link:  http://tobtr.com/7892733

TRIP is another means to collect on past due accounts; however, the process can't be used for Medicare or Medicaid (i.e., BadgerCare) claims.

>> Click to read Act 59 (2015 Senate Bill 40 - TRIP) signed into law by Governor Scott Walker