Emergency Medical Services
With the Ambulance Service Acquisition of January 1, 1990, the City of Chippewa Falls Fire Department began providing Ambulance Services to the city of Chippewa Falls and townships of Eagle Point, Tilden and Anson. At the heart of our operation is the dedication of caring people, who are provided with the best training nationally available. 25 department personnel maintain certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Our skills are honed with the devotion of hundreds of hours annually to training and continuing education, improving knowledge and maintaining skills. The quality of our care is ensured by Physician Dr. Erik Dickson, of Marshfield Clinic, who serves as our medical control director/advisor. In addition to rigorous training programs we provide our staff with state of the art equipment, which is a requirement when dealing with emergencies in a pre-hospital setting. The training and equipment are enhanced by the bedside manner our EMTs provide in meeting human needs beyond illness or injury.
On July 1, 2009 the State of Wisconsin approved our planned upgrade to provide Paramedic Service.
The Chippewa Falls Fire and Emergency Services Department will now be providing Paramedic Service to our coverage areas.
Certification Levels of Our Staff
EMT-Paramedic
Technicians at this level have completed the requirements for all other EMT levels. The education of Paramedic personnel includes an additional 1,100 hours. 500 hours of classroom instruction, 300 hours of hospital skill application and 300 hours of field training with a paramedic ambulance provider. Paramedic certification fortifies our Advanced Life Support service with the performance of cardiac pacing, synchronized cardio version, surgical airway placement and rapid sequence intubations. Paramedics are proficient in the administration of numerous additional drug treatments for cardiac emergencies, substance overdoses and varied traumatic injuries
EMT Intermediate Enhanced
Technicians at this level must have completed the requirements for Basic EMT and IV Technician. Education of Enhanced personnel includes an additional 400 hours of classroom lecture, emergency room application and field training. Enhanced certification strengthens our Advanced Life Support service with the capability of the administration of Epinephrine, Lidocaine, Adenosine and Atropine for cardiac emergencies, Valium for seizure control, Morphine for pain intervention, Needle Decompression for chest injuries, Endotracheal Intubation for airway management and intraosseous infusion for pediatric care.
I.V. Technician
Training includes completion of the Basic EMT certification and an additional 100 hours of advanced skills development. This discipline includes competence in IV therapy, administration of Nitroglycerin for chest pain, D50 for diabetic emergencies and Albuterol and Atrovent for patients with respiratory distress.
Basic EMT
Training includes 130 hours of classroom lecture, field study and emergency room participation. Students are certified in the treatment of a vast array of medical emergencies, trauma care, advanced airway intervention and defibrillation. EMTs at this level have the skill to administer basic drugs to combat the effects of allergic reactions, diabetic emergencies and chest pains.