Milwaukee first responder policy resolution adopted after woman's death
MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Common Council adopted a resolution Tuesday that will change practices for first responders – seeking greater accountability from those dispatched for medical support.
The change comes after a woman died at a bus stop during bitter cold temperatures in January. Now, the fire department and private ambulance services are feeling the heat.
Jolene Waldref had called 911 for help after she fell on the ice and possibly hit her head near 76th and Congress. She was not found by the responding Curtis Ambulance crew. After a second 911 call came in to dispatch and a Milwaukee fire crew showed up on the scene, Waldref was found – but pronounced dead despite life-saving attempts.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Curtis, the private ambulance company contracted by the city, was called out for what was considered a low priority call. The crew did not get out of the ambulance to look for the 49-year-old in the subzero temperatures; she was hidden from view by snowbanks and other objects. Around 20 minutes after an ambulance drove by, a bystander spotted Waldref’s body.
"We need to protect everybody that’s calling for help if they’re falling down, if they’re on the ground, if they can’t be seen," said Ald. Lamont Westmoreland.
Woman slips on ice, dies in bitter cold; internal review complete
The public heard from the Milwaukee Fire Department and Curtis Ambulance, which responded to the emergency calls after Jolene Waldref slipped and fell on ice near 76th and Congress and later died
Tuesday's resolution urges the Milwaukee Fire Department and certified ambulance service crews to get out of their vehicles to search for people in such situations.
"We need to take an extra close look when you’re talking about people’s lives," Westmoreland said.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Following Waldref’s death, the CEO of Curtis Ambulance will reportedly take a look at its policies. To add pressure, members of the Common Council voted to delay new contracts with private ambulance services. The new contract delay does not affect current services.
"It’s clear the current contract is not in the best interest of the community," said Ald. Russell Stamper.
"It’s playing with dynamite to mess around with contracts," Ald. Mark Borkowski said.
Milwaukee City Hall
"The time is ticking. Seven days they’re going to come back to us, say this is what we have, this is our new policy or this is what we’re progressing to," said Westmoreland.
MFD Chief Aaron Lipski would not comment on the situation, and FOX6 News did not hear back from Curtis Ambulance for comment by Tuesday's deadline for this story. However, there is a meeting with the fire department and private ambulance services happening tomorrow.
Resolution details
A news release from Westmoreland, who introduced the resolution, says the "adopted resolution has three key pillars."
First, the file urges the the Milwaukee Fire Department and all certified ambulance service providers operating within the city of Milwaukee 911 system to require responders to exit their vehicles and search for those requiring assistance at and beyond the location or landmark to which responders were dispatched, predicated upon the responders’ ability to visually and with certainty clear a reasonable area of any victims who may have fallen down.
Second, the resolution urges the Milwaukee Fire Department to conduct an analysis of existing and future technological capabilities to improve the potential for responders to locate cellular telephone 911 callers.
Lastly, the resolution urges Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski to review existing 911 dispatch protocols and to enhance such responses that occur for patients who are identified as being outdoors in extreme weather conditions.