Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Safety
Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are closely integrated with the Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program (WHEPP) and Public Health Emergency Preparedness.
The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program supports hospital emergency preparedness planning and response to mass casualty incidents or pandemic events.
Wisconsin's Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program supports and enhances the capacity of the state, local health departments, tribes, and the health care system to prepare for public health threats and emergencies through planning, exercising, responding, and training. Public health is better equipped, has improved its response plans, is planning regionally as well as locally, is training staff, and has exercised public health response plans across the state.
In a public health emergency, it is frequently EMS that has first contact with those affected. In hospital disaster response, EMS is called upon to assist within the hospital as well as transporting patients to other facilities away from the disaster.
Below you will find guidance and planning documents to assist in your service's preparedness, prevention, and safety efforts.
General
- Needlestick Prevention Act: EpiPen use
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan
- High Visibility Clothing
- Infection prevention guidelines
- TB testing and guidelines for EMS personnel
- Best Practices for Protecting EMS Responders during Treatment and Transport of Victims of Hazardous Substance Releases (PDF, 1.5 MB)