August 17, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.
Bike medic team provides extra level of care
Bike medic team provides extra level of care
During large community gatherings, getting paramedics where they are needed can be especially challenging as each event is unique with varying activities and people serving as potential roadblocks to life saving care. Large scale events in the Lakeland community now have access to a new level of care thanks to the launch of the Northwoods Regional EMS Special Event Bike Medic Team, according to an Ascension Wisconsin press release. This bicycle-based Advanced Life Support team responds to 911 emergencies, the release states.
Staffed by Oneida County EMS paramedics at Howard Young Medical Center, part of Ascension, the seven-member team will deploy two medic teams at various large-scale events.
"Our teams have equipment to handle trauma and medical emergencies," said paramedic Jennifer Gitzlaff, one of the members of the Bike Medic Team. "This includes an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with cardiac rhythm interpretation, advanced airway supplies, traction splints, and medications."
Gitzlaff says that the long-term goal is to expand to a countywide special event unit, but for this summer they have targeted 10 events to provide coverage in the Lakeland area and Eagle River, including the Fourth of July Parade, Dragon Boat Festival, Beef-A-Rama and Cranberry Fest.
"The Northwoods is a continuously growing tourist community and we have many outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy," said Gitzlaff. "The utilization of a Bike Medic Team will allow us to respond quickly and efficiently to these events and other remote access areas."
Funding for the bicycles and necessary equipment were provided by the Howard Young Foundation.
"This is another example of our associates developing innovative care and we are grateful to the Howard Young Foundation for their support of this project for the benefit of our community," said Sandy Anderson, president of Howard Young Medical Center.
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