A meeting about the status of Emergency Medical Services throughout Chippewa County will be held Wednesday, Jan. 8. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at the Cadott High School Auditorium.
“Staffing for local ambulance services is approaching a crisis level in many communities across the nation and here in Wisconsin. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the status of EMS in Chippewa County. Working in collaboration with the County Administrator’s Office, Emergency Management, the President of the EMS Committee, and UW Extension Researcher Garret Zastoupil, a survey was distributed in November to all EMS services in the county to help us better understand the current challenges and long-term sustainability of our EMS system in Chippewa County. The results of the survey will be discussed,” the meeting announcement states.
Boyd-Edson-Delmar EMS serves the Boyd and Stanley area communities. Clark County service in this area is provided by Thorp Fire & EMS.
“There are a variety of options to address the current EMS challenges. James Small, the Wisconsin Rural EMS Outreach Manager from the Office of Rural Health, will be presenting information on approaches used by other communities and counties to help address the challenges. Small’s 2023 report, ‘The Reliability of Wisconsin’s 911 Ambulance Response,’ highlighted several key issues: 1. EMS reliability is a statewide issue. 2. EMS agencies are struggling to consistently staff services. 3. EMS agencies lack the financial resources to sustain their organizations,” according to the announcement. “Because EMS challenges affect citizens across the county, it is critical that the decision makers, municipal leaders, and County Board Supervisors are aware of the challenges that exist and understand that their role is an important part of the solution. From the participant list you will see there are many stakeholders involved who have a part in making EMS in Chippewa County more reliable and cost effective.”
No decisions will be made at the meeting but attendees will be able to ask questions. Residents, EMS providers and elected leaders are urged to attend the meeting.
Chippewa County Administrator Randy Scholz sent a memo on EMS services to the county board. It reads:
Earlier this year the Hospital Sisters Health Systems (HSHS) decided to close the HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and the HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls along with several of the Prevea Health clinics. Since that time, I have attended several task force meetings, met with individuals in the community, state representatives and staff to discuss the various impacts of these closures to our community. Several organizations have stepped up to address many of the needs, which is wonderful. However, one area that is still struggling is EMS services.
The challenges associated with EMS services is something all counties in the State of Wisconsin are struggling with. The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) has been working with legislators on this issue. The way EMS services are handled vary from county to county. One of the main challenges is how to fund the services. Municipalities are not allowed to tax outside of their levy limits for these services, but Counties can. Ideally, it would be helpful if legislation was passed to allow municipalities to tax outside of their levy limits. That would provide a much more sustainable solution.
We have been working collaboratively with Chief Patten (BED Chief Ron Patten) and others to understand the conversations that have previously been occurring with the Chippewa County
EMS Association regarding EMS services in Chippewa County. We have also met with James Small, Rural Outreach Manager with the Office of Wisconsin Rural Health, to learn more about the options available to address this issue.
In an effort to better understand the needs and challenges specifically in our area, a survey was developed and sent to all transporting and non-transporting EMS agencies in Chippewa County.
It is important for everyone to realize that Chippewa County is NOT taking responsibility for EMS and EMS decisions. Our Emergency Management and Extension staff have offered to help assist with coordination of these meetings and help facilitate the discussions only.”