WTC gifted ambulance from Tri-State for new EMT “classroom”

There’s the classroom and there’s being in the back of a moving ambulance, trying to perform under pressure.

Students at Western Technical College will now get to experience both, after Tri-State Ambulance in La Crosse gave the school one of its vehicles.

“We teach the students their skills, while they’re in the classroom, in a well lit, temperature-controlled environment,” WTC instructor Kevin Dean said. “Most of our EMTs and paramedics, that is not where they end up doing most of their work. They need to be able to perform their skills, start IVs, while moving.”

The ambulance has 275,000 miles on it and there isn’t much equipment inside at this point. Dean said, for Tri-State, it had gone past its life expectancy, but is perfect for WTC’s needs.

“To buy a brand new ambulance, we’re talking, at least, over $200,000,” Dean said, adding he has been in talks with Tri-State for a year about some of the program’s needs.

On top of that, the industry itself, is in need.

“There is a shortage,” Dean said. “It’s something that is a needed commodity in our communities. Responders have to be made. That’s our part here, to make those responders, and get them out, so they can help others.”