The Northwest Wisconsin Regional Trauma Advisory Council (NWWIRTAC) is the largest of seven designated trauma regions in Wisconsin.

With a focus of improving the trauma care delivery system in northwest Wisconsin, NWWIRTAC is a key stakeholder in our coalition.

Our Three AREAS

The Regional Trauma Advisory Council of Northwest Wisconsin is comprised of all entities that are involved in the care, treatment, and transportation of trauma patients within the 15 counties that makeup our service area.

The mission of the NWWIRTAC is to ensure open communication and cooperation along the vital chain of survival for the citizens who live, work, and play in Northwest Wisconsin.

RTAC Co-Chairs:
Wayne Street •
Susan Ehman •

Data Keeper: Alana Schutts •

Education and EMS

Identifies, advocates for, and supports trauma related training in the region for EMS, trauma committees, and hospitals.

Chair: Lee Huber

Injury Prevention

Evaluates data from the Wisconsin Trauma Registry to identify and fund injury prevention projects throughout the region.

Chair: Kimberly Strasburg

Performance Improvement

Evaluates trauma related data and processes to improve the quality of trauma care within the region.

Chair: Jennifer Mazur

Calendar

Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RTAC) Meeting
January 28 • 1 - 3 PM • Mosaic Telecom Training Room, Cameron, WI

Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
February 22 • Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire

Preparedness Practicum 2020
February 25 • 8 AM - 4:30 PM • Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN

EMS Operations Management and Leadership
February 28 - 29 • Rice Lake, WI

Ice Rescue Trainer
February 28 - March 1 • Ashland Fire Department, Ashland, WI

Long Hot Summer Trauma Conference 2020
March 5 - 3

WI Governor's Conference on Emergency Management
March 10 - 11 • Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI

PHTLS Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
April 4 • 8 AM - 4:30 PM • Cumberland Healthcare

Wilderness First Aid
April 18 - 19 • Beaver Creek Reserve, Eau Claire, WI

The NWWIRTAC is committed to improving trauma care in northwest Wisconsin. This past year we worked toward this goal by providing educational scholarships to EMS personnel and hospital staff for classes such as Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support, Car Seat Passenger Safety Technician Course, and the UW Hospital Emergency and Trauma Care Conference.

We review the trauma data and statistics for our region and strive to prevent injury by providing equipment and supplies to the community such as:

Stop the Bleed Campaign
Stop the Bleed Campaign is a grass roots effort to encourage bystanders to respond quickly and effectively to bleeding emergencies. Many members of the RTAC are trained to educate public on how to respond quickly in such an emergency. Three Stop the Bleed Training kits are available to borrow for local training. For more information, please contact:

Lisa Anderson (Hayward Area Memorial Hospital)
Dominic Ehman (Westfields Hospital and Clinic)
Rebecca Ekenstedt (Cumberland Healthcare)
Lacey Huset (MCHS-Northland)
Erica Kurtz (Memorial Medical Center-Ashland)
Courtney Meyer (Marshfield Medical Center- Ladysmith)
Kim Strasburg (MCHS-Eau Claire)

Life Vest Loaner Boards
As part of the Kids Don't Float campaign, four DNR life vest loaner boards were completed in 2015 by Eagle Scout candidate Sam Reams and two in 2014 by Eagle Scout candidate Will Blake. Both Scouts belong to Troop 77 in Chippewa Falls. The loaner boards can be found at Altoona Beach, Ray's Beach on Lake Wissota, Riverview Park, Lake Holcombe, Coon Fork, and Half-moon Beach.

Replacement Car Seats for Emergency Departments
We equipped emergency departments in our regions with replacement car seats to give families in the event of a car crash.

Helmet Giveaway
We purchase and distribute bike helmets to local law enforcement and emergency departments to be given away at their discretion to patients, children, etc.

Reflectors for Amish Buggies
We purchase and distribute reflective harnesses and leg bands for horses to Amish communities to increase visibility of Amish buggies.

Increasing Awareness About the Risk of Falls in Senior Communities
We printed placemats to educate about the risk of falls and prevention for Senior Centers and Faith Communities.