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The Wisconsin EMS

Association Foundation

Enhancing health and safety in our communities.

Key Initiatives

Foundation Scholarship

The Foundation provides one Scholarship a year to support EMS education in Wisconsin.

Helping Hand of Heart Donor for Patient in Heart Disease. Man Gi

Donate Life Grant

Donate Life Wisconsin partners with the Foundation to educate EMS providers on organ and tissue donation viability and their scope.

Pediatric Equipment

Thanks to generous donations from Cars Curing Kids, the Foundations has provided hundreds of providers with FREE pediatric equipment bags.

Fire & EMS Memorial

The Foundation aims to build a monument to the dedication of all EMS providers in the state.

Community Work

Inspired by the original “We Back the Blue” movement to support police,

We Back The Dedicated is a way to show your local support of EMS.

WEMSA Foundation Scholarship

The WEMSA Foundation Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that is available to Wisconsin residents who are intending to or currently attending an EMS Program through an approved Wisconsin training center. This scholarship is provided on an annual basis each academic year in collaboration with national, local, and community donors. Applicants will be required to submit the following information for consideration:


  1. Resume or CV
  2. Technical College Enrollment Information
  3. Letter of Recommendation
  4. Explanation of Need
  5. Personal Statement



Click here to apply!

The application portal for the WEMSA Foundation Scholarship is NOW OPEN.

The deadline for application submissions is July 1st, 2024.

Please send any application questions to Foundation@WisconsinEMS.com

Previous Awardees

Alexis Plaski, 2023

Mid-State Technical College

Victoria Obst, 2022

Lakeshore Technical College

Attention

The Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA) Foundation, a 501c3 charitable foundation, is currently seeking national, local, and community donors in an effort to provide academic scholarships to future EMS students in the amount of $1,000 per student scholarship to cover the cost of a program tuition, books, and related testing fees. The scholarships would be available to WI residents in an effort to improve recruitment for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in our communities. If you are interested in sponsoring a scholarship, please contact Foundation@WisconsinEMS.com

DONATE lIFE gRANT

In partnership with Donate Life Wisconsin, the WEMSA Foundation is launching "Rescue to Recovery," a pivotal initiative aimed at boosting organ donation awareness among EMS professionals and the wider community. This program seeks to bridge the knowledge gap in organ, tissue, and ligament donation through comprehensive educational resources, establishing statewide standardized protocols, and engaging community outreach efforts. By empowering our EMS professionals with the right tools and knowledge, we aim to enhance the organ donation process, making a meaningful impact on lives across Wisconsin.

PEDIATRIC EQUIPMENT

Thanks to generous donations from Cars Curing Kids, a Wisconsin based organization devoted to supporting improved health outcomes in the lives of children, the Wisconsin EMS Association Foundation has been providing free pediatric equipment to departments across the state for the past 2 years. By ensuring emergency responders have the specialized equipment needed for pediatric care, the Foundation highlights the ongoing needs of EMS departments and fosters a safer community for our youngest patients.

If your department is an active Service Member of WEMSA, and is interested in obtaining a pediatric bag, please contact WEMSA@wisconsinems.com to learn how to get yours today!

EMS Memorial Fund

In Wisconsin there has been no central location to honor those in our industry. Whether honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others, or honoring those continuing to provide these invaluable services within their communities, there was not a location to do so. This also meant there was no place for the public to recognize our line of duty deaths or those individuals whose daily actions have made our chosen vocation or avocation one of importance and endeared by the communities we serve.

Thankfully, that all changed in 2023 when the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial was officially reorganized and became the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial (WFEM). With a beautiful 7.5 acre park located along the West bank of the Wisconsin River within the city of Wisconsin Rapids, the park will now be a centrally located site within the State memorializing our industry and those that have given their lives while in the service of EMS. If you are interested in supporting the park, please reach out to Ron Naab to donate your time to this dedication to EMS.

The WEMSA Foundation serves as a primary funding source for this new EMS Memorial,

including the construction and upkeep of the park.

EMS Monument Project

In order to create a dedicated portion of the park towards the EMS Community and their efforts, the WEMSA Foundation intends on creating a new EMS Monument. The monument will stand over 11.5 feet tall, representing the Star of Life from an initial glance as well as from an aerial view. The EMS Monument will serve as a lasting symbol of appreciation and respect for their tireless efforts in keeping our communities safe and healthy.

The proposed project plan was created by a local architect creating a unique experience for those who visit the memorial, exemplifying EMS and memorializing those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The architect's vision for the memorial encompasses more than just a physical structure; it represents a tribute to the selfless dedication and bravery of emergency medical service providers.

Testimonials

"I can't thank WEMSA and Kids Health Vista Foundation enough for the generous gifts of pediatric equipment. I would have been happy just to get the child transport restraint system. These items were in the budget for three years but removed to help keep costs to the towns in line. Everyone hopes we won't need this, but the reality is we will need and in the past really could have used the equipment. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!"

Lynn Verhagen, Pickerel Fire & Rescue Squad

“I am extremely thankful to the WEMSA Foundation for the generous scholarship they have awarded me, which will allow me to continue my education so that I may obtain my long term goals!”

Victoria Obst, 2022-2023 WEMSA Foundation Scholarship Recipient

About Us

The WEMSA Foundation is now one of the few charitable emergency medical services organizations in Wisconsin fundraising to provide Education and EMS Equipment to local communities. With their commitment to the community in which they live and work, the dedicated WEMSA Foundation Board took the initiative to design and launch programs utilizing the funding support of the foundation. With a vision for the future, this team is working to expand the funding support available through the WEMSA Foundation in order to continually advance the level of care a business can provide.


Their efforts have resulted in innovative programs that have impacted all ages and levels of healthcare provided. They have reached out in to Wisconsin communities beyond urgent medical care to create services which educate the young and the elderly - taking a preventative approach to health.


Just as hospitals raise funds for advanced equipment and procedures, the WEMSA Foundation also wants to raise funds for state of the art equipment - to improve the patient care and support the four pillars of its mission; education, research, equipment and prevention.


The WEMSA Foundation is committed to actions that will ensure long term stability and growth for the organization. This includes developing a community based fundraising strategy to provide the financial requirements for programs and operations and the ongoing development and election of a community centered board of directors.



What We Do

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Our Mission

Our values

Our Vision

The Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA) Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to education, research, equipment purchases and prevention programs in our communities.

Enhancing health and safety in our communities.

We treat all stakeholders with dignity and respect. We are ethical, accountable and transparent. We embrace diversity and innovation. We make a difference through collaboration. We are committed to sustainable programs.

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Board of Directors

Alan DeYoung

Wisconsin EMS Association

Executive Director

Tony Lash

Joe Abruzzo

Josh Yamat

Commercial Banking

Spring Bank

Senior Vice President

Jim Colegrove

Lake Mills EMS

Retired AEMT

Tirri Goodrich

Are you looking to make a meaningful contribution to the support and development of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Wisconsin? The Wisconsin EMS Association Foundation is actively seeking individuals to join our Foundation Board. This distinct opportunity is ideal for those passionate about funding educational opportunities, supporting grant projects, and advancing the EMS profession through strategic financial support and scholarships.


The Foundation Board operates with a focus on overseeing and facilitating initiatives that directly impact the quality and accessibility of EMS education and resources. As a board member, your role would be instrumental in shaping the direction of initiatives that directly impact the quality and accessibility of EMS education and resources. We are interested in candidates from diverse backgrounds who bring a mix of skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table.


If you're motivated by the prospect of supporting the growth and excellence of EMS in Wisconsin, we encourage you to reach out. If you are interested, please email us with an introduction, your professional background, and why you're interested in contributing to the Foundation Board's efforts.


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Phone

(414) 431 - 8193

Address

26422 Oakridge Dr

Wind Lake, WI 53185

United States

Email

Foundation@wisconsinems.com