Paramedic protocol, Milwaukee Common Council approves change

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Common Council voted Tuesday, Feb. 27 to enact new protocols, requiring paramedics to get out of their vehicle and look for a patient after a 911 call.

The new guidelines, which passed 15-0, are meant for situations when the patient is not immediately visible or when weather poses a threat to visibility.

"It’s fog, it’s poor lighting, it’s obstruction," said Ald. Lamont Westmoreland, who introduced the resolution. "Basically, what you’re doing is you’re going out, getting out of the vehicle, and you’re just looking past those obstructions."

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The change comes after a woman died at a bus stop during bitter cold temperatures in January.

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.

Jolene Waldref 

The Common Council's action Tuesday also supported extensions of the city's agreements with private ambulance companies – which had been withheld amid the push for policy change. The resolution passed after reassurances from those companies and the Milwaukee Fire Department that policies are changing after Waldref's death.

"It’s unfortunate that it took a tragedy for change to be made," said Westmoreland. "I thought was a unique opportunity to hold them to that and have them expedite it and not drag their feet."

The resolution now heads to Mayor Cavalier Johnson's desk for his signature of approval.