The La Crosse Fire Department (LCFD) began providing emergency medical services (EMS) to the City of La Crosse in 1975. The strategic locations of fire stations throughout the city made it ideal for firefighters to respond to the sick and injured and provide care until the arrival of an ambulance. Initially, firefighters were trained to Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) level and could provide basic assessment, CPR, basic airway support, and injury stabilization such as hemorrhage control and splinting. In the middle 1990s, most of LCFD's firefighters were trained to the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level of care. Defibrillators and a limited amount of medications were added to the LCFD scope of care. In 2018, LCFD met a milestone and began providing Paramedic scope of care to the community within its first responder role in partnership with Gundersen Lutheran Health System and Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance (GTSA). Advanced Life Support personnel and equipment are now deployed out of each of our four fire stations providing service to the City of La Crosse and Town of Medary.

LCFD automatically responds to all medical requests origination through the La Crosse County 911 center. The 911 calls are then transferred to an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) at Gundersen's dispatch center. The closest GTSA ambulance is then assigned to the call. LCFD EMTs and Paramedics work collaboratively with GTSA EMTs and Paramedics to provide excellent care. Joint Paramedic training shared Medical Direction, and regionally shared patient care guidelines have provided strength to the working relationship between LCFD and GTSA and results in seamless care. LCFD responded to approximately 4,838 medical incidents in 2023.

LCFD Paramedics are held to a very high standard. In April of 2020, an agreement was reached between LCFD and GTSA which allows LCFD Paramedics to work with GTSA ambulances for additional clinical experience. LCFD Paramedics complete the multi-phase field training program facilitated by GTSA. Following the completion of the two field training phases, LCFD Paramedics must work twelve hours on a GTSA ambulance each month as a clinical requirement to function as non-transport paramedics. This additional clinical experience has bolstered skill proficiency and strengthened the working relationship that LCFD and GTSA have.

Response numbers continue to grow each year and 2023 was no exception with fire-related calls increasing by 6% from the previous year. We confined fires to the room-of-origin 98% of the time after our arrival. We have been able to achieve this success by responding with the right amount of well- trained firefighters within minutes of the call for help. 

The La Crosse Regional Hazardous Materials Team (HAZMAT) is a 23-member unit that specializes in responses to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive related incidents. The team was formally established under the direction of WI Emergency Management (WEM) in July 2000. The department has been designated by WEM as a National Incident Management System (NIMS) “Type 2” asset for the state, and we have achieved “Type 1” capabilities for our local area responses. Our team currently provides hazardous materials response for nine counties in West Central Wisconsin. Within this area, we protect 90-miles of the Mississippi River, 287-miles of rail lines, and 121-miles of interstate. Every team member is required to attend at least 48-hours of Hazmat Team drills per year, along with standard competency-based exercises designed to maintain technician-level skills.

Our team also operates as a Radiological Field Team for the WI Department of Health Radiation Protection Section. The team trains and prepares for response to radiological/nuclear incidents that could require rescue, reconnaissance,
mitigation, and sampling operations. The state provides 100% of the funding for Radiological and HazMat teams. The funding includes worker’s compensation and reimbursement for costs incurred during responses with no responsible party.

The department’s six-person Tactical Emergency Medical Services Team (TEMS) continues to grow and develop into a cohesive team while serving and positively contributing to the City of La Crosse. The team participates in a significant amount of training hours related to tactics, maintaining various medical skills and certifications, and responding to high-threat situations in partnership with the La Crosse Police Department Emergency Response Team (ERT).

The La Crosse Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue team is made up of 18 members who are trained to respond to emergencies involving structural collapse, confined spaces, rope rescue, trench rescue, tower rescue, swift water, and major extrication or disentanglement. Ten of the members are also a part of Wisconsin Task Force 1, a State asset. The mission of the USAR team is to prepare for and respond to technical rescue emergencies both within the City and regionally in surrounding communities if called upon.

USAR members train regularly on duty and meet every other month for a large-scale training which involves rescue skill development and scenarios. Over 1,500 hours of training were completed in 2023; encompassing USAR core team drills, WI-TF1, and non-team member cross training.

The mission of our Water Rescue Team is to provide the community with rescue and recovery capabilities in all water environments. Our team consists of 18 people who dedicate time specifically to Water Rescue. All members of the team are trained in ice rescue, sonar use, boat operations, underwater camera work, and water-based EMS.

The La Crosse Fire Department participated in 1,506 hours of water related training in 2023, including cross training non-team members of the department. This cross training allows for rapid response to safely rescue and render aid to victims involved in any and all water related emergencies. During the monthly training exercises, the teammates completed a 40-hour Swiftwater course and a 24-hour boat ops course which includes passing a written and practical test prior to receiving certification. This certification is valuable and will assist with the growing need for flood response in the area.