Aspirus Health and Wausau Fire Department’s Community Paramedic Program

Monday, June 9th, 2025 -- 8:01 AM

A proactive care model supported by Aspirus and the Wausau Fire Department is helping reduce unnecessary 911 calls by connecting patients with the long-term support they need before emergencies occur.

The Community Paramedic Program, which began in late 2024, focuses on identifying individuals who frequently use emergency services and helping them manage the underlying causes of their medical issues.

The initiative emphasizes prevention by working directly with patients in their homes to navigate chronic conditions, access community resources, and overcome barriers such as lack of transportation, insurance complications, or limited access to technology.

“The goal is to reach people who are falling through the cracks,” said Matt Kozlowski, Community Paramedic with the Wausau Fire Department. “We’re helping patients navigate things like housing, behavioral health, transportation, or just understanding how to take their medication. These may seem small, but they’re often the real reasons someone ends up calling 911.”

Since the program began, it has served a small but high-need group of patients. Among the first 14 participants, 911 calls decreased by more than 50 percent. “We are not only improving individual health outcomes,” said Dr. Michael Clark, Aspirus MedEvac EMS Medical Director. “We are also reducing strain on emergency departments and ambulances by addressing issues that do not always require emergency care.”

Aspirus provided initial funding and continues to support the program through regular collaboration, oversight, and integration with clinical teams. The Wausau Fire Department leads daily operations, staffing the dedicated paramedic position and conducting patient outreach.

The two organizations meet monthly to review data, discuss patient cases, and refine the program’s structure. The program replaces short-term, reactive care with longer-term, coordinated support that helps patients stay healthier and avoid preventable hospital visits.

Patients enrolled in the program have shown better adherence to treatment plans, improved access to services, and greater stability in their overall health. “The results are real,” said Kozlowski. “We are making people safer, healthier, and more connected to care. And this is only the beginning.”

Additional communities are already expressing interest in adopting similar models, and planning discussions are underway. The continued evolution of this program reflects a growing shift toward practical, community-based strategies that reduce pressure on emergency services and improve quality of care systemwide.

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