By BRIAN LEAHY
of The Gazette
Large gatherings, like the Riverfront Rendezvous this weekend, are supposed to be fun, but sometimes medical emergencies can happen that require prompt attention.
To provide a quicker response, the Portage County Ambulance Service will have paramedics on bicycles at Riverfront Rendezvous. Those paramedics will provide full-level paramedic service, on scene, while any needed ambulance is in route, said Stevens Point Fire Chief Mark Barnes. The department operates and staffs the Ambulance Service.
"Basically we can provide advanced life support to anyone who needs it in the community," said one of the biking paramedics, firefighter/paramedic Dennis Zvara.
Between the two bikes of the two-person team, the paramedics will be able to carry all the required equipment, albeit downscaled, that is found on an ambulance. First-line cardiac drugs, basic bandaging material and drugs to treat allergic or diabetic reactions will be available, said firefighter/paramedic Ron Heibler.
Dr. Michael D. Curtis, emergency room physician and Emergency Medical Services system coordinator for St. Michael's Hospital, came up with the idea for trying paramedics on bicycles, Barnes said.
Other municipalities, like Green Bay, have paramedics on bicycles, Curtis said. At large events, ambulances can't always quickly get through the crowds to the victims.
"These guys can respond quickly and navigate through the crowd," said Curtis.
While the biking paramedics will be operating in a crowded area, EMS personnel think bikes have potential to provide service to more remote areas, like the Green Circle Trail.
"If someone gets hurt on the Green Circle, how do we get to them quickly?" Curtis asked.
During one ambulance call to an injury on the Green Circle Trail, Zvara had to commandeer a bicycle from a trail user to get to the scene.
Paramedics on bikes could also respond to hunters hurt in the woods, Curtis said.
Because the paramedics on bikes program is in its trial phase, the department has not asked for any capital funding, Barnes said. Instead, members of the department have sought donations to equip the program.
"The challenge was laid down and they answered the call," Barnes said.
Campus Cycle and Sport Shop have donated the use of two Trek 4900 model mountain bikes for this weekend. The Portage County Child Passenger Safety Association has donated two bike helmets for paramedics to wear.
"It truly does make sense and I'm happy we can be a part of it," said Carl Knuese of Campus Cycle.
Unlike the subdued-colored bikes the store has supplied to area law enforcement agencies, the bikes used by the paramedics are colorful and will give them increased visibility, he said.
The Ambulance Service will provide the mobile paramedic service at Riverfront Rendezvous from 9 p.m. to midnight Friday, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and from noon to 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
The mobile medic program may be expanded and available for other large special events in the county, Barnes said.