Gold Cross Ambulance Brochure

Expert, life-saving care

“Gold Cross is an awesome company.

There’s no other place I’d rather work.

It’s the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had

because I’m helping people. I work with

compassionate, well-trained,

professional people. We all share the

same passion for our jobs. We have

all earned the title ‘paramedic,’ and

we’re proud of it.”

– Deb Mosier, Gold Cross paramedic (pictured on the front cover)

‘To be the best in EMS’

Throughout our more than forty years of service, Gold Cross has remained true to our mission — to expertly

respond to our communities’ healthcare and specialized transportation needs.

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Fast, Reliable ResponseTo best meet the needs of our patients, Gold Cross staffs nine EMS units during the day and five at night. Five of those units work a 24-hour shift so they’re ready to respond anytime, day or night. Our other four units work twelve hours—and nine hours during peak call times.

We also rely on the strength of our partnerships with first responders in each community we serve—almost 400 first responders and more than 80 paramedics in all. Gold Cross provides a paramedic liaison to each first responder group. This helps us ensure that on-site processes and communications work smoothly and are accurate. In addition, all first responders are invited to quarterly training sessions sponsored by Gold Cross.

Our partnership with local hospitals also enhances our pre-hospital care. Our joint ownership by Affinity Health System and ThedaCare provides a continuum of care from the first 911 call to hospital discharge. We are proud to be part of the region’s healthcare family.

“Gold Cross works very well with local hospitals. They provide a seamless transition from ground transport to air transport when needed. They’re really my eyes and ears in the field. I can’t be there so I depend on their assessment of what type of response we need to give. We rely on their accuracy.” – Ray Georgen, M.D., Director of Trauma Services,

Theda Clark Medical Center, Neenah

“In 2000, Gold Cross was selected as the best ambulance service in the state by the Wisconsin EMS Association. Gold Cross continues to live up to that honor. Every single person works at being the best every day, and demonstrates that every single minute—because every minute counts. In life and death situations, patients need our best. And we’re proud that our Emergency Medical System, which is on a par with the best systems in the nation, uses Emergency Medical Dispatch and provides the right resources at the right time. A leg injury, while serious and important, is not the same as a heart attack. We don’t run lights and sirens if we don’t need to. We have excellent response times, and our expertise includes being safe, appropriate and professional.”

– Mark Westfall, D.O., Gold Cross Medical Director

“Gold Cross called from the field to alert us about a heart attack patient. Even though it was 2 a.m., we were able to get the cath lab up and running by the time the patient arrived, thanks to their communication with us.”

Mark Westfall, D.O.

Dennis Laundrie, M.D.

Ray Georgen, M.D. – Dennis Laundrie, M.D.,Director of Emergency Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, Oshkosh

Back in rhythm

GOlD CrOSS AMbulAnCE SErvICE

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“When I tipped over, one of my playing partners, dentist Tony Kranner, started CPr,” recalled Tom Prosser, a retired neenah businessman. “Without that, the rest would have been unimportant. Within minutes, the well-trained staff at the YMCA applied an AED and got my heart back in rhythm.

“In only a few minutes, Gold Cross arrived and took over resuscitation efforts,” he recalled. “Then, they transported me to the hospital.”

Prosser doesn’t remember the events that occurred after he collapsed on the racquetball court at the neenah-Menasha YMCA that March day. His recollections come from stories told by his playing partners, YMCA staff, Gold Cross paramedics, and the emergency room physicians at Theda Clark Medical Center. Those people and their life-saving skills and equipment saved a life that quickly became motivated to save others.

“based on my experience, everyone who touched me did an excellent job,” Prosser said.

The AED, or automated external defibrillator, that sent waves of life to Prosser’s heart, is a device that Prosser and his longtime friend, John bergstrom of bergstrom Auto-motive, want to see placed throughout the Fox valley.

Since his heart attack, Prosser has been instrumental in raising private funds for the placement of AEDs in public places in neenah and Menasha. Working with Gold Cross Ambulance’s HeartStart Fund, Prosser has helped raise funds needed to purchase and place AEDs in schools, churches and other locations with limited resources.

Downtown Appleton also placed AEDs up and down its entertainment district on well-traveled College Ave. bergstrom took notice. He placed AEDs in all 29 of bergstrom Automotive’s business locations, including one in the corporate airplane and one that accompanies groups of bergstrom employees on business trips. Many other private businesses now have AEDs readily available as part of their safety programs.

“Tom is one of my favorite people and he is a critically important person in our community,” bergstrom said.

“He works hard and really makes a positive difference in this area. We almost lost him, and the AED was the reason we didn’t.

“Tom’s experience was the reason for putting one in each of our businesses. To see him literally as good as he was before, as your friend and then part of the community, knowing that piece of equipment made the difference, that’s a pretty compelling motivation to me,” he said.

“We have great health care in this community, and Gold Cross plays a key role in that.

Many organizations have to work together if a life is going to be saved and Gold Cross certainly does its part.”

– Tom Prosser, Local Businessman and Community Leader

ExPErT, lIFE-SAvInG CArE

John Bergstrom and Tom Prosser

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June 16, 2008 was a routine day for Sandra Mills. She attended her regular morning class at the Appleton YMCA, and later worked on her many projects.

After dinner, she experienced difficulty breathing. “I was home alone, and I felt helpless. I dialed 911,” she said. “I was breathless and could not speak well, but the dispatcher understood and said an ambulance was on its way. Then, I realized the front gate was closed.”

Mills’ lovely home is set back from the street and accessed through a wrought-iron security gate set at the end of the driveway. Although the dispatcher had asked her to remain on the line until help arrived, Mills knew that unless the ambulance could gain entry to the driveway, she would not receive the help she desperately needed.

Without thinking, she set the phone down, and pressed the button on a nearby control panel to open the gate. Mills was experiencing an intensifying asthma attack, and her breathing was significantly impaired. In what seemed like seconds, she saw paramedics outside her window, seeking entrance to her locked house.

“I motioned feebly that I would meet them at the door,” she remembered. “I stumbled out and collapsed into their arms.”

During the ride to Theda Clark Medical Center, Mills suffered respiratory arrest. “I learned afterward that I came very close to dying,” she said. “One of the paramedics came to the hospital the next day to see me and return my house key, which had fallen out of my clothes. He told me that if I hadn’t called for help, I would have died.”

Today, Mills is fully recovered and under the care of her pulmonologist. The details of that day in June are prominent in her memory, including the outstanding care she received in the hospital and the names of the Gold Cross paramedics who came to her rescue.

She approaches each day with thankfulness and energy, glad for the continued support of family and friends. She has launched a line of tee shirts and sweatshirts for Fleet boutique that she founded at Mills Fleet Farm, is writing her dissertation for her Ph.D. and is actively engaged in educational issues, the arts and politics.

“I am very grateful that I am able to continue my contributions to society in a meaningful way, thanks to Gold Cross,” she exclaimed. “Gold Cross has my deepest respect and gratitude.”

“If it weren’t for Gold Cross, I would not be accomplishing all the things I love today. The paramedics used outstanding judgment

and they were extremely expert. I can’t believe I survived – it’s all because of Gold Cross! It is truly a fabulous rescue service.”

– Sandra Mills, Co-Owner, Mills Fleet Farm


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An expert call


“It was Aug. 8, 2003,” recalled Menasha Police Chief bob Stanke. “I was at home and I had a heart attack.”

Stanke, who has served as the head of the Menasha police department since 1990, knows from experience that this terrifying situation is not uncommon. It happens to people in his community each day. He knows, too, the critical role of the responders who restarted his own dying heart.

Stanke saw this situation play out many times as a patrol officer. now, it hit close to home—too close.

“Gold Cross arrived along with the fire department, and the Gold Cross paramedic crew shocked my heart,” he said. “Fortunately for me, due to the quick response of these emergency personnel and the medical staffs at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Appleton Medical Center, I was revived and treated, and I live today to talk about it.

“My case is not unique. It’s an every day occurrence to them. As a patient directly involved, it is unique to me because it allowed me to go on and see the birth of two

grandchildren. If not for the high-quality level of service that I received from Gold Cross and others, I would not have the great memories of all the events that occurred in my life over the past five years.”

The team effort provided by Gold Cross, fire and police departments, and area hospitals is saving lives. That pleases Stanke both professionally and personally. He asserts that from the first 911 call to arrival at the hospital, emergency response in the Fox valley is thriving.

He should know. He’s been on both sides of the trauma.

“Gold Cross is a vital link in the emergency team,” he said. “They bring the emergency room to your home, the streets, a playground or wherever, and function in partnership with the hospitals’ emergency room staff. My experience with them is they are caring, professional, highly-trained individuals who do their job well.

“I’m very thankful for what they did for me and how they helped me. I’m sure without them, along with the hospital staff and others, I wouldn’t be here today.”

“Gold Cross is absolutely critical. Without them, it’s safe to say I wouldn’t be here. I didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I was well on my way. Having quality, trained people like those at

Gold Cross, is essential to the well being of the Fox valley.”– Robert Stanke, Chief of Police, City of Menasha


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Personal and professional


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In 1991, Gold Cross became a joint venture between Affinity Health System and ThedaCare. Through this innovative ownership structure, Gold Cross provides exceptional access to emergency and trauma care by serving Appleton Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, St. Elizabeth Hospital and Theda Clark Medical Center.

“In an emergency, corporate logos begin to pale in the face of the need for care. by working together on Gold Cross, Affinity and ThedaCare have a better EMS service than either of us could achieve alone. The provision of EMS services is an important part of the overall healthcare system. Affinity’s and ThedaCare’s

ownership in Gold Cross recognizes that, as well as the understanding that these services must be well-integrated into our systems and the community. We know that Gold Cross staff are aligned with hospital clinical procedures and the most recent care advancements.” – Dan Neufelder, President and CEO,

Affinity Health System

“Gold Cross combines highly-qualified, well-trained people with rapid response times. They have the ability to work and interface well with both the ThedaCare and Affinitysystems. That ability has ac-celerated ThedaCare’s oppor-tunities to treat heart attack patients, for example. When paramedics can interface with

local Er docs, the benefit is that people get the care they need—whether it’s for heart attack or trauma or stroke. That first hour is the key. That requires a smoothly-oiled machine, and real team work.” – Dean Gruner, President and CEO, ThedaCare

Service beyond EMSWe know that being “the best in EMS” requires more than just our response to emergency situations. It re-quires an overall commitment to the community. Our crews attend many community events each year—most at no charge. We staff many of these events with on-duty ambulances if our emergency medical system allows, and often provide tours and information about our services.

Non-urgent TransportIn addition to our EMS services, Gold Cross provides medical assessment and non-urgent transport for busi-nesses, organizations and clubs. using our ambulances for transportation means customers:

n Save time and money on cost-effective transportn Minimize the risk of blood borne pathogens or

OSHA fines n Determine their preferred hospital destination


Strength through partnership… from 911 to dischargeGold Cross has been a staple in the Fox valley since 1967. Though it began as a privately owned company, Gold Cross is now jointly owned by two key hospital systems—and that gives patients continuity of care from the 911 call to hospital discharge.

Dean Gruner, M.D.

Dan Neufelder

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Strength through partnership… from 911 to discharge

“Hospital personnel know our paramedics. Together, we deliver exceptional care because we are all operating as part of the same family, so to speak. Our relationships with

the hospitals give us the understanding and knowledge that results in superior patient care.”

– Jack Hill, Gold Cross Ambulance Executive Director

Jack Hill

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Our training classes for businesses and the community equip “regular” folks to offer real help in emergencies. Our powerful reality video series is particularly effective in demonstrating the importance of capable, immediate assistance, quick EMS response times and the value of emergency-readiness. Knowledge, training and respon-siveness are often the difference between life and death.

The boldt Company has engaged Gold Cross for its OSHA-mandated First Aid/CPr training since the late 1990s. The company has found the training so valuable that it also offers AED instruction in addition to First Aid and CPr. And, boldt has been so pleased with the training that it flies Gold Cross instructors to Oklahoma City to train its workforce there.

“Some of our employees have used CPr on the job site. because they were trained, they could help,” said Jeff Schilleman, corporate safety director.

HeartStartThanks to the HeartStart pro-gram, lay rescuers—who are often the first on the scene—can help save lives of cardiac arrest victims. The American Heart Association strongly encourages public access defibrillation (PAD) programs.

These programs use Automated External Defibrillators, or AEDs, that can be used by lay rescuers.

The AED is a simple device that delivers an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. As a key supporter of the HeartStart program in the Fox Cities, Gold Cross offers reasonably priced AEDs to local businesses and community organizations.

“While at the Appleton north football field, I realized that if we had a cardiac situation with a player or a coach, I

would need at least three minutes to retrieve the AED from the school—that’s too long!” exclaimed Tracy McCormick, a licensed athletic trainer with ThedaCare’s Orthopedics Plus. “We worked with Gold Cross to purchase portable AEDs that we carry with us.”

Thanks to the HeartStart effort and its widespread community support, the Fox Cities area has the most AEDs per capita in Wisconsin.

Emergency PreparednessIn business, it’s not enough to have a quick response after the fact. Experts recommend that companies with 10 or more employees have a written, practiced plan for both natural and “unnatural” disasters, including fire, explosions and hazardous materials spills. Additionally, research has shown that trained employees respond more effectively in a crisis than those who are unprepared.

Gold Cross offers a variety of emergency preparedness training programs, and also works with customers to develop custom programs that meet their unique needs.

For a detailed list of our class and training programs, emergency preparedness plans and information about AED purchases, visit www.goldcross.org.


Train with experts“Our employees tell us that Gold Cross provides the best CPr/AED training they have ever received. Even our folks in Oklahoma City prefer Gold Cross’s instruction to what they have received there.” – Jeff Schilleman, Corporate Safety Director, The Boldt Company

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CIRC TrialSince October 2007, Gold Cross has participated in an international clinical research trial called CIrC™ (Circulation Improving resuscitation Care). The study aims to find ways to improve the survival rate of victims suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the leading cause of unexpected death in the world.

During the trial period, SCA victims who receive care from Gold Cross are given either traditional, manual CPr done with a rescuer’s hands, or chest compressions provided by the AutoPulse®, an FDA-approved medical device that replaces human hands. both are accepted treatments used by EMS organizations worldwide.

“Gold Cross is proud and honored to be participating in ZOll Medical Corporation’s CIrC trial,” said Steve Krantz, site coordinator for the trial. “This clinical research trial is just another example of our commitment to staying current with the latest in EMS care.”

Disaster Preparedness To help the Fox valley become better prepared for a widespread disaster, Gold Cross has proactively pursued disaster preparedness. In 2001, we purchased a trailer to store extra supplies such as disposable backboards. This trailer provides first responders and paramedics with needed resources in case of crisis. We also have participated in a three-county mass casualty drill.

File of Life Gold Cross joined Winnebago, Outagamie, Calumet and Waupaca counties to launch a File of life program. The File of life is a card detailing a patient’s medical information. It provides EMS responders with important information, allowing seniors and those with special needs to live independently. Families know that EMS providers can access the information they need in case of emergency.


A community resource

Jessica Suprise and Tracy McCormick, athletic trainers who work for ThedaCare’s Orthopedics Plus, talk with Gold Cross paramedic Chris Neumeyer at the Appleton North football field.

Rep. Dean Kaufert observes Gold Cross paramedics demonstrate the AutoPulse®, a device that delivers lifesaving chest compressions.

“ The Gold Cross team only hires the best. They are professional and dedicated. They keep up with the technology and use it—that’s what saves lives. And, they are willing to invest in the newest, best equipment.”

– Rep. Dean Kaufert, 55th Assembly District

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Gold Cross traces its roots to 1967, when Jim Welch purchased and renamed the company Gold Cross Ambulance. by 1972, twelve Gold Cross employees had passed the national registry of EMTs exam, and by 1974, Gold Cross staff included the first and best trained paramedics in Wisconsin. That tradition of expertise and service continues today.

“I have the privilege of visiting Gold Cross periodically, and each time I am amazed at the advancements. I am impressed with what the current management has done to improve the level of care and commitment to our communities and the region. They brought in new people and new ideas. It has been most reassuring to

see the ‘new’ become a real improvement,” Welch said.

The Best at What We DoWe are driven to be the best in EMS. From our rapid response to our superior training, equipment and medications, to our class programs, we offer quality, efficiency and dedication.

We are proud to be a leader in pre-hospital care and to partner with Appleton Medical Center, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Mercy Medical Center and Theda Clark Medical Center. These relationships enable a continuum of care not replicated elsewhere.

And, we are proud to serve our communities by sharing our expertise and empowering lay rescuers to respond to the unexpected. Our paramedics and administrators are top-notch, passionate and professional.

Visit www.goldcross.org to learn more about us.


Strong foundation, promising future

“I always entertained dreams of a service that could reach across political boundaries and serve many hospitals.

not only has this been done, but Gold Cross also is now owned and governed by four hospitals!”

– James Welch, Gold Cross Founder

James Welch

“At Gold Cross we have the highest level of training

available for pre-hospital care. We trust each other.

If something happened to me or my family, I would

want Gold Cross paramedics on the scene.”

– Deb Mosier, Gold Cross paramedic

1055 Wittmann DriveMenasha, Wisconsin 54952

We provide 911 ambulance service to more than 240,000 people in 950 square miles of portions of Outagamie, Winnebago and Calumet counties.

Each year, our crews respond to more than 14,000 calls. We also bring our EMS expertise to the larger region through our management services, making us the only

not-for-profit, regional ambulance service in the state.

In northeastern Wisconsin, we are the experts in the business of saving lives.

www.goldcross.org

Gold Cross Ambulance proudly provides management expertise

to local ambulance services, including Brillion Ambulance

Service in Brillion, Calumet Medical Center Ambulance in

Chilton, New London Family Medical Center Ambulance in

New London, and N.E.W. Para-Medic Rescue, Inc., in Pulaski.

Emergency: 911Non-emergency dispatch: (920) 727-3034

Office: (920) 727-3020 Toll free: (888) 888-3838Fax: (920) 727-3033

Documents

Gold Cross Ambulance Brochure