VILLAGE
OF PLOVER EMS
The
Village of Plover EMT Department was initiated in September of
1984. Twenty members from the Plover Fire Department and the community
were trained in the forty-hour Department of Transportation First
Responder Program.
Strictly
a volunteer effort in 1984, First Responders were on call for
twelve-hour shifts with 24-hour coverage each day. With only a
few dozen calls during that first year, the Responders expanded
emergency care to include auto accidents, seizures, heart attacks-strokes,
and assisted patients when the Portage County Ambulance was called
to our area. The number of calls increased to 85 for the year
1985. The number of calls has increased to 668 calls for 2006.
In
2002, the unit upgraded its skill level to become EMT-Basics.
With this step up the EMT's can deliver glucagon, epinepherine,
aspirin and albuterol. EMT's can also insert combi-tubes and assist
with prescription nitroglucerin.
New
since 1994 is Defibrillation training and certification. This
allows the EMTs to shock a patient whose heart has stopped. Nationwide
this has revived many patients who might not have had a chance
to live. The EMTs are required to keep all certifications current.
The EMT's are required to maintain their State of Wisconsin License
by a 30 hour refresher course and continuing education credits.
