WIWA Supports Pediatric Bags

	The Wisconsin Wireless Association supports the EMSC Pediatric Bags for Wisconsin Ambulances (the "ped bag" project).
		"WiWA donations have funded Ped Bags in several EMS departments throughout Wisconsin, making a significant difference to so many. Recently the Dickeyville Rescue Squad in Grant County received a WiWA funded Ped Bag."
	WiWA Board Member, Sharon Templeton, presents a donation check to Missy McCoy and Elizabeth Davy of GFWC-WI Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) and the Pediatric Bags project.
	What is a pediatric bag? It is a specialized collection of critical emergency equipment and supplies sized for infants and children in one organized, easily accessible, bag. With a pediatric bag, an EMS provider has ready access to everything needed to provide emergency medical services to young patients. A “pediatric patient” is not simply a “small adult.” The treatment of an adult patient is vastly different from the treatment of an infant or child. A “pediatric” call could mean a premature infant, a 7 year old, or a 15 year old - their size and needs are completely different. The current standard of EMS sifting through a drawer or tackle box or pulling supplies from 16 different locations in the ambulance to find the correct sized equipment is simply not acceptable for our children, or for our dedicated (primarily volunteer) EMS providers. Fortunately, the solution is relatively simple: pediatric bags for Wisconsin's ambulances. The cost of providing one EMT level ambulance with a critical, life-saving ped bag is less than $500, but the payoff is priceless. Over time, many children will be helped by just one ped bag!