What is EMS?

Emergency Medical Services, more commonly known as EMS, is a system that provides emergency medical care. Once it is activated by an incident that causes serious illness or injury, the focus of EMS is emergency medical care of the patient(s).

EMS is most easily recognized when emergency vehicles or helicopters are seen responding to emergency incidents. But EMS is much more than a ride to the hospital. It is a system of coordinated response and emergency medical care, involving multiple people and agencies. A comprehensive EMS system is ready every day for every kind of emergency.

EMS is an intricate system, and each component of this system has an essential role to perform as part of a coordinated and seamless system of emergency medical care. An EMS system comprises all of the following components:

  • Agencies and organizations (both private and public)

  • Communications and transportation networks

  • Trauma systems, hospitals, trauma centers, and specialty care centers

  • Rehabilitation facilities

  • Highly trained professionals

    • Volunteer and career prehospital personnel

    • Physicians, nurses, and therapists

    • Administrators and government officials

  • An informed public that knows what to do in a medical emergency

Levels of Emergency Medical Service

There are 5 Levels of EMT that operate in Wisconsin.  All of those levels are also practiced throughout Waukesha County as well.  Western Lakes does not have any First Responder, or Internediate levels in our district.  However, we do offer the other three levels: EMT Basic, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic.  We have also began to offer Critical Care Paramedic Services as well.  

What you will receive when calling 911

Each of our four stations house personnel 24 Hours a day, 7 Days a week, 365 Days a year, without interruption.  For any calls for service, WLFD will be sending at least one (1) Paramedic, as well as at least two (2) EMTs of any level to a call.  This is to provide the best level of service to our community.  

Western Lakes Fire District is passionate about helping our community, regardless of the situation at hand.  We believe you will find each one of our employees to be kind, considerate, and helpful in any situation. 

WLFD will always come to help any of our community members.