Students at WEMSA Student Day learn how to take someone's blood pressure. The event is meant to introduce the next generation to careers in EMS. PC: Fox 11 Online
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Police, fire and EMS play a vital role in the public’s safety. The Wisconsin EMS Association is working to ensure the next generation is thinking about entering the field.
EMTs and paramedics from across the state are in Ashwaubenon this week for the Wisconsin EMS Association conference. There’s equipment and vehicles, demonstrations and seminars on everything from pediatric to geriatric care.
But as WEMSA looks to the future, it knows it needs to attract the next generation.
“As you can imagine 911 calls have increased every single year and continue to increase and we’ve seen obviously a shortage of EMS providers We have a lot of people retiring out of the industry,” said WEMSA’s Executive Director Alan DeYoung.
In an effort to introduce students to careers in the EMS field, “Student Day” at the conference was created.
What started as just 80 students four years ago has grown to more than 300.
They’re learning everything from how to use an epi pen and take a blood pressure to splinting a compound fracture.
“We’re seeing more people interested in emergency medical services and health careers than we’ve seen the last couple of years,” added Chanse Kaczmarski, a paramedic.
While the majority of students participating already have an interest, seeing it and trying in on their own is only solidifying it.
Winnie Palma a student at Brown Deer High School said, “I really want to be a dietician when I grow up and I know one of the most important parts of being in the health care field in general is just learning how to do emergency services like this so that really prompted me to want to come here and learn new stuff.”
“I think it’s given me a lot more confidence in the way I can help people so I think it’s just a great opportunity,” added Carter Wojes from Jefferson High School.
Even if the students don’t go into a healthcare career, the skills they’re learning today could still help them save a life in the future.
De Young said, “The essential skills of just that recognition knowing how to respond that’s key. You know when you see somebody have an emergency that most people freeze up. They’re unsure what you know. What do they do? Giving them just those essential skills to know okay, I have to react I need to do something here are the steps that I need to do.”
And the hope is one day they’ll use that knowledge in the EMS field.
Comments