Milwaukee Launches Community Paramedic Program

MILWAUKEE – A new partnership to train fire department paramedics in community-based health care will kick off with a press conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing, 1921 E. Hartford Ave.

The community-based paramedic pilot program involves the UWM College of Nursing, Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Medical College of Wisconsin. The program will train paramedics to provide follow-up health care to frequent users of emergency medical services. Paramedics will receive training to support these patients with preventive and primary care before they reach a crisis again.

This summer, the UWM College of Nursing will collaborate with the Medical College of Wisconsin to train 30 paramedics from the Milwaukee, North Shore, West Allis, Greenfield and Madison fire departments in the “Community Paramedic Curriculum,” a community-based health care model used nationally. The curriculum will provide enhanced training in health issues such as asthma and infant mortality. That training will be completed in October. The community-based paramedic pilot program will then be implemented in participating communities.

Speakers at the news conference include:

Sally Lundeen – Dean of the UWM College of Nursing
Mark Mone – UWM Chancellor
Daniel Berendt – Assistant Fire Chief, MFD Emergency Medical Services
Dr. Stephen Hargarten – Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin
Dr. Riccardo Colella – Director, Medical College of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County EMS