This year in Wisconsin, we have seen a spike in Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certifications compared to past years. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) there were 442 EMRs initially certified in Wisconsin in 2023. Through November 20, 2024 we had already seen 882 EMRs initially certified this year! These numbers are great as each certification awarded is another volunteer helping our local EMS departments. But what caused this change?

This is the fifth installment of a series of columns called “Whatever Happened To…”? My goal is to provide a recap and update on an idea, bill, or project that I worked on in the past. The nature of the legislative cycle often encourages us to finish working on ideas and move on. But I like to follow-up and confirm that the projects, bills, and ideas I advance are accomplishing our goals. This column is one way to share this follow-up with you.

Local volunteer EMS departments are one of the most important institutions in our rural communities. That is why I have hosted EMS Summits around southwestern Wisconsin during the past few legislative sessions. At these events I always ask attendees what state government can do to help EMS departments recruit and retain volunteers. Every year I heard complaints that one of the top obstacles for volunteers was the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. The NREMT exam has been required by DHS to become certified for any initial EMS license in Wisconsin since 2011 and is taken upon completion of EMS coursework.

Many of our local departments complained that they were losing two, three, or even more potential volunteers due to the NREMT requirement for EMRs. I had consistently heard that the NREMT exam was difficult, expensive, and in many cases irrelevant to the work that our volunteers would be doing. This unnecessary barrier was causing great, well-trained volunteers across the state to give up on becoming certified, all while our rural EMS departments were struggling to find volunteers.

Representative Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) and I had spent the last three sessions working on a bill that would waive the requirement for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) to take the NREMT exam. This past session this change was included in 2023 Wisconsin Act 12, the Shared Revenue law. As of January 1, 2024 local departments can now decide for themselves whether they want to require their EMRs to pass this exam in addition to the required EMR coursework.

In addition to seeing positive data on the increase in initial certifications this year, we are also seeing results firsthand in our communities. Earlier this year Jessie Gavinski, from the Potosi Rescue Squad took advantage of the exam waiver that Representative Tranel and I fought for. I have heard similar stories from across the 17th Senate District since the law was changed.

I am so proud to see our hard work paying off and look forward to making more steps in the right direction. I am always looking for additional ideas to support our local EMS departments. If you have any ideas for more ways to improve rural EMS as we head into the next legislative session, please let me know.

As always, if you need assistance with any state-related matters, please call our team at the State Capitol – 608-266-0703 – or email me – Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. My team is ready, and willing, to help navigate your state government, clear obstacles, and receive your input.