Local Club Involvement

Sample Call to EMS / Fire Department 

Good morning.  (Smile, they can hear it.)  My name is __________ _____________.  I am with the _____________________ club.  Our club is working on a state project to provide pediatric jump kit bags for all ambulances.  Would I speak to the EMS captain or someone else?

(You are referred to the EMS Chief, EMS Captain, Fire Chief, etc.)

Good morning.  (Smile, they can hear it.)  My name is __________ _____________.  I am with the _____________________ club.  Our club is working on a state project to provide pediatric jump kit bags for all ambulances.  Do you have 10 minutes or should I call back at a better time?

This ped bag has been approved by Wisconsin’s Emergency Medical Services for Children Advisory Board and is carried on every ambulance in Waukesha County and several others in the State.

The _______________________ club would like our ambulances to carry the EMSC approved ped bag too.  We would like to purchase it for the _____________ EMS / Fire Department.  Be clear when you can fund the ped bag; if it’s months away the department needs to know this.

I’d like to email / mail / bring you the ped bag supply list spreadsheet and a picture of the ped bag.  Is your EMS EMT level or ?  (There are several levels of EMS.  EMT is the BLS ped bag list.  Paramedic is the ALS ped bag list.  There are several levels in between EMT and paramedic; these departments would need to see both lists and choose which ped bag best suits their needs.)

Get his / her contact information and tell them you’ll contact them in a week (two?) to follow up and see if they have any questions.

If they need further convincing, you can offer to get them a phone number of an EMS / Fire department using the ped bags.  I have two exceptional contacts but want to use this option sparingly – imagine taking 50 calls when you are already over worked.  Contact one of the EMSC committee if you need this option.

Do not be surprised if you are told they are “covered”.  Wisconsin requires pediatric equipment on ambulances.  It may be in a “junk drawer”, a tackle box, or 16 different locations in the ambulance.

Not all EMS / Fire departments will be willing to accept the ped bags.  Do not lose hope!  Franklin Juniors had this issue and can advise you.  Or you may need to supply another department for now.  Oconomowoc Juniors supplied every ambulance in Waukesha County with ped bags.  Some departments immediately said yes.  One took over three years to say yes.  Most were in between.  Keep in mind, we are trying to provide these ped bags before summer 2008.

Purchasing the ped bag:  The EMS / Fire department orders the equipment needed from the spreadsheet (remember, they already have some of it) and then your club reimburses them when the ped bag is ready to go in service.  Please be prompt in paying them.  The department may need something in writing on your club letterhead stating your intentions. 

Also, EMSC-WI may require something regarding training the EMS department to use the ped bag.  I will keep abreast of this and update the District EMSC Contacts and update the website.

Please report all ped bag donations intended and made by your club to your District EMSC chairperson and Elizabeth Davy.  We need to track this – your club name, EMS / Fire department name and location, BLS or ALS, date of donation.