La Crosse firefighters can now work for Tri-State ambulance as paramedics

More cooperation between La Crosse’s fire department and the Tri-State Ambulance Service, as a result of an agreement announced Thursday.

It allows La Crosse firefighters to work as paramedics for Gundersen Tri-State, which will give the ambulances access to more responders.

City fire chief Ken Gilliam says this arrangement should help La Crosse avoid shortages in emergency care.

“Across the nation there’s been somewhat of a shortage of paramedic staffing,” Gilliam said during a press conference Thursday announcing the deal. “We’ve got a group of paramedics in the midst that are going to kind of go in both directions and help tri-state out with some of their casual part-time staffing and, at the same time, get some great experience on the street.”

Leadership with the city and Gundersen Health System say they have overcome differences, which caused problems between Tri-State and the fire department for many years.

Tri-State has about 60 paramedics on staff. The fire department has nine, who can now use experience with Tri-State to improve their emergency response skills.

“The La Crosse fire paramedics will be allowed to work on our ambulances,” Tri-State director Tom Tornstrom said. “So, not on duty but off duty they can do that — kind of moonlighting if you will.

“We’ll have plenty of staff that will definitely help us. By doing that they’ll keep up their skills. We’ll have a lot of proficient paramedics, that’s what’s important.”

Up to 10 paramedic positions will be offered to firemen during the first year of the pact.