Small Town EMS

     Last month I had the opportunity to ride with Ryan Brothers Ambulance company. Ryan Brothers was founded in 1962 by Pat and Paul Ryan and has been serving Madison, WI, and Southern Wisconsin longer than any other ambulance service. Today, the next generation of Ryan Brothers (Erin and Patrick) run the company and strive to uphold the tradition of integrity started by their uncle and father.

     Currently they have three stations in the Madison area and one station 30 miles away in Fort Atkinson; a fifth station is being built this year in a town between the two cities. They provide interfacility transfers in Madison, 9-1-1 service to Fort Atkinson and De Forest, and interfacility transfers in Jefferson County.

     Ryan Brothers is also part of the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW), which was created to represent the interests of non-profit, third-service, hospital- based and independent ambulance services in the state. The organization is not only focused on revenue shortfalls, but is working to see that the needs of Wisconsin EMS agencies are met with existing statutes and administrative rules, as well as future legislative initiatives. Dan Williams (the immediate past state EMS office director) is the president of this organization and has brought great expertise to the table in the political arena.

     My thanks go to Brian Payne and Steve Zank for allowing me to tag along with them on one of their runs. Thanks for the visit guys!