Public Policy Forum Awards
2004 Salute to Local Government: North Shore Firefighter and EMS Cadet Program
It is a common assumption that children growing up in Milwaukee County's northern suburbs will go to college upon graduation from high school. But this isn't always the case, and the North Shore Fire Department recognized that there were many high school students who want to do something with their lives that doesn't necessarily lead them to college. That was the genesis of the department's cadet program for high school students. In 1996, the fire department and several high schools started what has become what may be the most extensive firefighter internship program in Wisconsin. Participants spend part of their junior and/or senior years reporting to the fire department instead of high school. They earn credit for participation and have the option of taking evening courses to attain certification as firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
As of 2004, 34 cadets have been trained, two former graduates are currently on the department's payroll and six others are currently paid-on-call firefighters serving the north shore suburbs. Says one current firefighter who started as an intern: "This internship was the best thing for helping me plan my future. I am so lucky to have a real focus."
The program passes the test of innovation in local government because it is significant, creative, effective, efficient and customer-focused.
return to top2001 Salute to Local Government: Child Passenger Safety Program and Home Alone
“Home Alone” is aimed at helping working families with latchkey children, ages 8-12, teaching both parents and children how to deal with safety concerns. Programs offered in the fall and spring throughout the North Shore teach children home along how to deal with emergencies. The courses encourage using 911 as a backstop when they are scared or don’t know how to cope with a situation. The same program helps working parents deal with the issue of potential neglect, not well defined under Wisconsin law, and how to set rules for their children based on their maturity. The program has attracted full enrollments.
The Child Passenger Safety Program focuses on the correct installation of child safety seats in automobiles, since national figures indicate more than 96% of all seats are installed incorrectly. The North Shore Fire Department has five members who are certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and AAA to install these seats. Adults can make appointments with the department to have their child seats checked or installed.
1999 Salute to Local Government: Improved Advanced Life Support Care and Project Reassurance
The North Shore Fire Department was born out of an innovative arrangement among seven North Shore suburbs. However, the department itself has proved to be an innovator on its own, being honored for two programs.
The first program addressed the difficulty of reaching parts of the district within the required nine-minute standard established by Milwaukee County. To solve the problem, the Department asked the Milwaukee County Medical Services Council to allow it to staff its sole paramedic unit with two rather than three paramedics. This allowed the “third” paramedics to be assigned to emergency response units with firefighter/emergency medical technicians that provide intermediate care rather than advanced life support services. By first sending out the more numerous and geographically dispersed emergency response units with a paramedic on board, the paramedic can ascertain the need for a paramedic unit and cancel it if none is needed. This is not more efficient but concentrates paramedic skills where they are required. It also has allowed the response time standard to be met.
The second program services the aging population of the North Shore suburbs where 17% or about 11,000 of the total population are 65 and older. This is almost four percentage points higher than the state average. The program’s aim is to help the elderly remain independent and live in their own home and apartments. The Department has established a public/private partnership with the Laurel Oaks Retirement Community to create a “check-in” service for elderly, Project Reassurance. The Department is responsible for marketing the program, enrolling participants and administering the overall program. Laurel Oaks personnel operate the telephone/voice mail system and check on participants. Participants phone the voice mail system each day before 10 a.m. If they do not, program staff phones them. If they do not answer, the staff notifies the Department, which responds to provide whatever assistance is needed. The whole program provides peace of mind to the participants and their families while promoting independent living for the elderly.
1995 Salute to Local Government: Shared Service Innovation Award
This is an example of how shared services and political collaboration among seven municipalities can produce improved fire protection for all of their residents. Until January 1, 1995, history and tradition meant that the seven North Shore suburbs delivered fire protection services on an individual basis. Some had full-time fire departments, others had volunteer. But all needed mutual aid agreements to provide insurance that fires could be adequately handled. Today, one well-equipped, well-trained, full-time department serves all seven. It is the result of at least four years of analysis, discussion and political compromise among the participating suburbs. It is a model for others to follow.
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