The Capital Times
By Bill Novak
MADISON, Wis. — Emergency medical care is getting a boost on Monday on Madison’s southwest side.
Medic 7, the newest ambulance for the Madison Fire Department, will be put into service Monday morning following “gauze-snipping” ceremonies at Fire Station No. 7, 1810 McKenna Blvd.
The ambulance is the first full-time addition to the city’s paramedic staffing since 2004.
“The department is pleased to add a new link to the system of emergency medical care in our community,” said Fire Chief Debra Amesqua. “This additional advanced life support (ALS) unit makes our already-strong system stronger still.”
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Amesqua cut the gauze at 10:30 a.m. Monday to welcome the new ambulance and crew to Station No. 7 and the large area in southwest and west Madison covered by the firefighters and paramedics based at the station.
“The new ambulance crew at Station No. 7 will markedly improve response times to emergency medical calls on the city’s west side,” said officer Lori Wirth. “The department responded to more than 18,000 EMS calls in 2009.”
Madison Fire Department has an interoperability agreement with neighboring municipalities to provide ALS response regardless of municipal boundaries.
The plan allows for crews from Madison, the town of Madison, Middleton, Fitch-Rona (Fitchburg and Verona) and Sun Prairie to cross over into the respective areas to provide help as quickly as possible.
Copyright 2010 Madison Newspapers, Inc.