Pre-Hospital Readiness

Though pediatric ambulance runs are infrequent for most Wisconsin EMS agencies, they often are very critical situations. Children are not tiny adults. That’s why it’s important for your EMS agency to be pediatric ready.

In 2021, pediatrics accounted for 6% of EMS runs. Of those, the leading primary impressions included:

  1. Injury
  2. Pain issues
  3. Circulatory Issues
  4. Respiratory Issues
  5. Infections

Use these pre-hospital pediatric resources to make sure your EMS agency is ready for children, no matter the call.

Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators (PECCs)

PECCs are EMS team members who ensure the pediatric perspective is included at their agencies. PECCs communicate with emergency departments and coordinate pediatric injury prevention activities and education. Wisconsin EMSC is committed to increasing the number of PECCs in the state.

Learn More

Pre-Hospital Resources from Wisconsin EMSC

Pediatric Comfort Kit

The Pediatric Comfort Kit contains items to soothe, comfort and distract kids during an emergency. Every emergency response team and emergency department should have a pediatric comfort kit on hand.

Pediatric Pre-Hospital Reference Guide

Children need specialized assessment, equipment and medication dosages. Use the Pediatric Pre-Hospital Reference Guide for fast facts during pediatric emergencies.

Pediatric Safe Transport Handout

Children aren’t just small adults, and they require specialized equipment to be safely transported in an ambulance. This handout will guide EMS providers to safely transport children in ambulances.

MIS-C and EMS

MIS-C impacts multiple organs and is associated with COVID-19. Signs can seem mild or vague but the illness can progress rapidly. This document will guide you through what MIS-C is, signs and symptoms of MIS-C and how to treat it.

Pre-Hospital Pediatric Readiness Resources

Equipment for Ground Ambulances
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of State EMS Officials, EMSC and other partners have developed this list of essential pediatric equipment for ground ambulances.

Medical Direction Toolbox
This toolkit provides guidance for physician medical directors and EMS administrators on the roles and responsibilities of the EMS medical director and the incorporation of pediatrics into EMS medical oversight.

Patient- and Family-Centered Care Toolbox
Use these resources to ensure that patient and family perspectives, choices, knowledge, values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care.

Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Toolbox
In a disaster, it’s important to have appropriate pediatric equipment and supplies, medical oversight, protocols and guidelines, and training in the care of children.

Pediatric Equipment Toolbox
This toolbox provides the most recent guidelines, resources, position papers and journal articles on pediatric equipment guidelines.

Pediatric Pain Management Toolbox
The assessment and management of pediatric pain can be a real challenge for health care providers. Learn how to better understand, assess and relieve children’s pain in pre-hospital settings.

Pediatric Pre-Hospital Education Toolbox
Identify educational needs, develop curricula and establish standards to ensure pre-hospital professionals have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe, effective, family-centered emergency care for children.

Contact Our Staff

Brittany Farrell, MS
Project Manager
Emergency Care
(414) 337-4570
bfarrell@childrenswi.org

 Erica Kane
Program Leader
Emergency Care
(414) 337-4572
ekane@childrenswi.org

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Emergency Medical Services for Children is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, through the National Emergency Medical Services for Children program, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

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