WISCONSIN (WTAQ-WRN) — The shortage of Emergency Medical Service providers is reaching a crisis stage across the state of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health reports nearly 41% of EMS units in the state have a staff of six or less, and 21% have only two to three on hand.
41% of ambulance services also reported periods where they were unavailable to respond to a 911 call.
In addition to staffing, funding is also a challenge, with one-third of EMS services in the state projected to run out of money this year.
In addition, 78% of ambulance services were forced to call on neighboring communities’ EMS units for help because their community was understaffed.
