Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Medical Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Horicon council approves two-year plan to upgrade EMS to Advanced Life Support
Summary
The Horicon Common Council approved an EMS upgrade from Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support, a process EMS Coordinator Woock said will take about two years and will require training, personnel adjustments and a rate study for billing other municipalities.
The Horicon Common Council on May 26 approved a plan to upgrade the city’s emergency medical services from Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support.
The motion, made by Alderperson Frami and seconded by Alderperson Olbinski, carried unanimously. EMS Coordinator Woock told the council the upgrade would take approximately two years and described personnel implications, expected costs, new treatments and medications that would be available under Advanced Life Support, and potential medication cost savings.
Mayor Maas asked whether Horicon would bill neighboring municipalities for ALS calls. Woock said he would complete a rate study to align Horicon’s charges with surrounding municipalities. Alderperson Schmitz asked whether recently received grant funds could be used for the upgrade; Woock responded that the grant dollars are earmarked for supplies and education, including training if EMS members pursue Advanced Life Support certification.
The council did not set a detailed implementation timeline beyond the two-year estimate during the meeting. Council members combined the policy approval with other budget and staffing actions considered in the same session. The council did not vote on a specific budget line for the upgrade during the May 26 meeting; related grant and budget items were considered elsewhere on the agenda.
