(The Center Square) – A bill requiring Wisconsin technical colleges to fund Emergency Medical Services training was passed by the state Senate and is set to be voted on by the full Assembly, but some argue its lack of actual funding makes it problematic.
If signed into law, Senate Bill 182 would establish a grant program to reimburse tuition or materials for EMS responders, practitioners and employers who paid for their employees’ training.
The bill also creates a “Live 911 Pilot Program,” allowing 911 callers and dispatchers to communicate using real-time video or other multimedia communication to improve response times, accuracy and situational awareness.
“Many prospective EMS professionals are deterred by the cost of training,” Wisconsin EMS Association, which has endorsed the bill, said in a statement. “This bill supports longer sustainability of an EMS workforce and supports individuals to get licensed as an EMS professional.”
Co-author Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said the bill was written to address the shortage of EMS volunteers and units in the state.
“Our tech colleges are the primary source of training for our EMRs and EMTs, but the problem is that there are not enough people enrolled in a training class to fill it up,” Marklein said.
Because technical colleges regularly have to cancel EMS training courses due to low enrollment, the grant program would reimburse tuition for the unfilled seats, according to Marklein.
This would potentially allow the college to still train that class even if it doesn’t meet the usual enrollment numbers.
However, Sen. Brad, Pfaff, D-Onalaska, criticized the bill for not appropriating any funds for the grant programs it authorizes.
“This is a good bill, and that’s why money should be in the bill right now,” Pfaff said. “Let’s not play any games. Let’s not wait.”
Pfaff added that if money were attached, the Senate would have been able to pass it on a “unanimous vote.”
“This literally is life or death when it comes to rural areas making sure we have EMS assistance and the technicians and the volunteers that dedicate countless hours to make sure that their community members can continue to stay safe,” Pfaff said.
He concluded that leaving the funds up to the Joint Finance Committee and not legislation would be a “tough sell” to EMS personnel who rely on them.
However, Marklein, who co-chairs the Joint Finance Committee, only said “I look forward to funding the bill after the governor signs it.”
The bill awaits a floor vote by the full Assembly.
