Currently, the Milwaukee Fire Department provides basic and advanced life support with over 900 Emergency Medical Technicians-Basic (EMT-B), and over 130 EMT-Paramedics. These EMT-Bs and paramedics staff the department’s 30 Engine Companies, 8 Ladder Companies, and 12 Mobile Emergency Department (MED) Units that respond to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) incidents for the City of Milwaukee. Over 80% of all MFD responses are now EMS-related.
The EMS system is established in the City of Milwaukee to safeguard against the loss of life, disability, and unnecessary pain and suffering. The MFD EMS system provides special event standby for over 25 events annually within the City. An integral part of the MFD special event coverage is the Paramedic Bicycle Response (PBR) program. The PBR program provides rapid response to crowd-congested events as well as public relations and education to event attendees.
The MFD, in conjunction with the Milwaukee Police Department, supports a Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) program to enhance response capabilities to incidents involving special weapons and tactics operations. This program will provide EMS support within the perimeter of tactical situations for victims, as well as law enforcement officers.
In 2003, USA Today placed Milwaukee in the top three EMS systems in the country. This can be attributed to the MFD response times, resuscitation of cardiac arrest patients, and international recognition for participation in pre-hospital studies.
