Greenfield Prepared for Changes to Paramedic Program

The Milwaukee County paramedic program , with Greenfield prepared to be a major player in just how drastic those changes are.

But no matter what happens, Greenfield residents should expect it to be business as usual.

All the pieces are in place to continue providing the service in the event Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele’s budget is approved, as expected, paid out to local municipalities to help fund paramedic services.

“The biggest part about paramedic programs is the paramedics themselves, and we have them,” Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke said. “We have the infrastructure within the community to continue to have a paramedic program. …. We think that if we had to go it alone or partner with adjacent communities, we can make sure the program is not interrupted.”

Neitzke has gone so far as to set aside $250,000, the same amount the city expects to lose from the county, in the 2012 budget to make sure, at least for a year, costs are covered internally.

He said there are potential issues in regards to education and training of paramedics and communication among communities, but feels those can be addressed.

Of course, Abele could reverse course and decide not to strip the money for the program, but if the money does in fact disappear, Neitzke said Greenfield will not hesitate to leave the program, should that be the best option available. Neitzke said that appeared to be the consensus among most municipal leaders at Monday’s Intergovernmental Cooperation Council meeting.

“Without the financial component from the county, there would certainly be an impetus to leave the program,” he said. “Everyone agreed that having paramedics is important. How that service is delivered is the next big question.”

According to Greenfield Interim Fire Chief Jon Cohn, Milwaukee-area municipalities have been more of the exception rather than the norm by participating in the county’s program. Municipalities like New Berlin and Brookfield run their paramedic programs independently of each other and provide another model for communities such as Greenfield to look at, he said.

Cohn added the timing of Abele’s proposed cuts has been less than ideal.

“It’s hard right now, but we see the value in the future,” he said. “The timing, it’s a very short phase out. That’s what’s difficult.”

Neitzke agreed: “We understand where we need to go if they’re not around, but like with everything, it takes a lot of time to get the details worked out. Having a year or so to work out the details would be beneficial.”