Imagine calling 9-1-1 in a desperate situation but no ambulance responds. This exact scenario has already happened in several Wisconsin communities, and almost all services are struggling with a lack of funding and staffing shortages. Small towns and rural areas are particularly hard hit, with the pandemic accelerating the crisis dramatically. Because of this, the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health is committed to assist struggling services and ensure that all citizens have sustainable access to Emergency Medical Services, regardless of their ZIP code.
Certification & Licensure
Administrative Rules
- Chapter DHS 110: EMS Licensing, Certification and Training Requirements
- EMS: Provider Application & Operational Plan
- Wisconsin EMS Forms
Scope of Practice and National EMS Policies and Resources
- National EMS Scope of Practice Model
- National EMS Education Standards
- National EMS Education Agenda for the Future
- National Reregistration and the Continuing Competence of EMT- Paramedics
- Wisconsin EMS Scope of Practice
Applications & Forms
State EMS Forms
Scope of Services / Special Regulations for CAHs
96 Hour Limit on Average Length of Stay & Transfer Agreements
State & Local Oversight
- State of Wiscosnin EMS License and Certification Information
Wisconsin Trauma Care System - Wisconsin Designated Trauma Care Facilities (by county)
State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board
Physician Advisory Committee (PAC)
Wisconsin Emergency Medical Service for Children (EMSC)
About
The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health will host 3 sessions of the Wisconsin EMS Operations Management and Leadership course this year. Over six, two and ¼ hour online sessions, the instructors will dive into management of daily tasks including on-call schedules and budget development; development and revision of policies and procedures; and identifying and filling out of required state forms.
Workshop dates for 2025: All classes are 6:30pm to 8:45pm
- January 8, 15, 29, and February 5, 12, 19
- March 10, 12, 17, 19, 31, and April 2
- April 16, 23, 30, and May 7, 14, 21
Who Should Attend?
The course has been developed for the benefit of those in EMS operations management positions and those aspiring to management positions. Those in leadership interested in guidance or clarification on issues, as well as those interested in becoming a supervisor, manager, or leader in their agency should attend.
Your instructor is Dana Sechler, former State EMS Advanced Life Support Coordinator and EMS Chief / Service Director; partner at Strategic Management & Consulting , LLC.
Details
Registration for this virtual course is $45. Participants will receive a link to the Zoom meetings before each session.
Note: This course is a duplicate of the courses held in the past; it is not a new course, although you are welcome to register and take it again.
Registration
https://charge.wisc.edu/ruralhealth/workshops.aspx
Agenda
Agenda topics will include, in part:
- Attributes of a successful EMS service
- Budget development and sustainability
- Public relations Quality improvement policies
- Creating a useful QA/QI process, and assuring involvement of the Medical Director
- Discussion of Recruitment & Retention tools, Human Resources, and Just Culture principles
- Navigating State administrative rules & regulations, statues, and programs
- Demonstration of the various components of the State e-Licensing system
- Understanding compliance requirements in EMS related to the State EMS Office, CMS/Medicare, HIPPA, and other entities
- Current Grants and other funding sources
Questions?
Contact Kevin Jacobson by email kmjacobson2@wisc.edu or by phone 608-261-1888.
In late 2022, WORH surveyed all ambulance services in the state about their reliability and sustainability. The results were striking. The full report is planned for a February 2023 release, but this is a preview of key themes.
Concerns from WORH survey on EMS reliability and sustainability
EMS Day
Before the pandemic, WORH, along with a coalition of EMS and Fire Associations, organized a yearly EMS Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Personnel from EMS departments across the state came together in Madison to speak with legislative staff.
In 2023, EMS Advocacy Day returns to the Capitol on March 15.
In late 2022, WORH surveyed all ambulance services in the state about their reliability and sustainability. The results were striking. Download the full report here:
In 2016 WORH worked with national experts on developing 20 attributes of an EMS service that were fundamental to their success. That survey was implemented in Wisconsin in 2016 and 2018, as well as several other states nationally. The results of that survey, along with a blank template and a workbook for services to improve on those attributes is located here:
The “Attributes of Success” Statewide Assessment and Workbook