Greendale Fire Department Gains Additional EMS Skills

The Greendale Fire Department has internally trained some firefighters to provide advanced paramedic services, something they previously relied on Greenfield and Franklin.

The department has always provided basic Emergency Medical Service care, but until recently would always rely on Franklin and Greenfield to provide paramedic services. Greendale EMS would arrive at the scene first, but would have to wait for Franklin or Greenfield to arrive to provide the advanced paramedic services.

Four Greendale firefighters, have gone through months of training to become certified paramedics. The are firefighters are Kurt Risberg, Lt. Brian Peterson, Lt. Kyle Kierzek, and Jeremy Childers.

Over 80% of the calls to the Greendale Fire Department are EMS related.

“Overtime Greendale realized that we should be providing our community with the highest level of EMS care,” Kierzek said. “We weren’t offering the best level of care as fast as possible. We recognized at times there might be delay and felt it was necessary. We already had the equipment and willingness for the guys to do it.”

As part of the program certified paramedic firefighters are able to stabilize and transport patients faster, start IV lines, administer drugs, provide advance medical treatment, advanced cardiac monitoring, and transmit 12 Lead EKG to the hospital.

Fire Chief Tim Saidler said that the department is now creating revenue because they are able to transport patients.

The Village and Union agreed to work to together to help fund the program. The Union agreed to cover the overtime, according to Kierzek.

The Saidler said that he plans to eventually have 10 to 12 certified paramedics firefighters. Three firefighters are starting training soon and another class will start next year.

The training program is ran by Milwaukee County EMS and trained by Froedtert Hospital. The firefighters go through an online program, classroom time, clinicals, and work with other paramedic units.

Childers is new to the department. He was hired last year and had already been a paramedic firefighter in Pleasant Prairie.

“I love the Greendale Fire Department, great atmosphere, great village,” Childers said. “The public is very appreciative and the fire department has a good reputation in this community.”

The fire department plans to start fundraising to support the program and help pay for over $20,000 worth of additional equipment and upgrades.

The Village bought a $25,000 EKG monitor for the department, but the department hopes to raise enough money by July of next year to buy an additional one.

“We do everything,” Saidler said. “We ride ambulances, ride on the ladder truck, ride the fire truck. We cross train everyone.”