Tri-State Ambulance and the La Crosse Fire Department

Since 2002, the City of La Crosse Fire Department has been looking at entering the ambulance transport business. The issue has recently gained much more public attention as the City requested that Tri-State Ambulance enter into "mediation" with the city regarding ambulance service shortly after Tri-State and it's parent organization, Gundersen Lutheran Healthcare, offered to provide free Emergency Medical Dispatch services to La Crosse County.

Tri-State's current high performance delivery model assures clinical proficiency, operational efficiency and financial stability for the 2,200 square mile service area covered by Tri-State Ambulance.

The possibility of the City of La Crosse Fire Department entering the ambulance business would negatively impact that high performance system, not only for the estimated 35,000 La Crosse residential taxpayers, but for all people served by Tri-State Ambulance throughout the Coulee Region.

This page and supporting documents are dedicated to providing the public with specific, factual information regarding this issue, as well as to allow the public the ability to speak out and have their views heard on this issue. If you would like to send a comment for posting regarding your views on a City-run ambulance service for La Crosse, please click on this link: Comments

Additionally, we have created an e-mail list where parties interested in becoming a member of Advocates for Coulee Region Emergency Medical Services can submit their e-mail contact information. This information will be used solely by TSA to keep Advocacy members updated on important area EMS related issues. Please click here to submit your information and become part of this patient focused advocacy group.

Documents, Links, and Letters

Click here.

EMS Forum Materials

During the EMS Forum, Tri-State provided a "briefing packet" handout to all attendees. An electronic copy of the handout is posted here for your review.

Part 1 contains the program agenda, Tri-State performance reports and letters regarding the Mediation request by the City of La Crosse. Download .pdf file here (5 MB, high speed internet recommended).
Part 2 contains copies of the site visit reports generated from the site visits to the EMS systems in Manitowoc, Oshkosh and Two Rivers, including the information contained from our public records request to the La Crosse Fire Department; the 2007 City of La Crosse Fire Department budget; a copy of the 1986 Jack Stout EMS Study here in La Crosse and news clippings from the City of Lincoln EMS system issues. Download .pdf file here (12.5 MB, high speed internet recommended).

If you are having trouble viewing the documents and would prefer they be delivered to you, please feel free to let me know by e-mail to MZavadsky@tristateambulance.org.

If you would like to have a Tri-State Ambulance representative come meet with you, or speak to your organization, please feel free to contact Matt Zavadsky at 608-782-2282 or by e-mail at MZavadsky@tristateambulance.org.