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: Allison Mentink •

Education and EMS

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

Chair: Kimberly Strasburg

Injury Prevention

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

Chair: Jennifer Mazur

Performance Improvement

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

Chair: Lee Huber

Calendar

Volunteer Reception Center Exercise
April 24 • 10 - 11:30 AM • United Methodist Church, Shell Lake, WI

St. Luke's Educapizza Event!
April 25 • 5:30 - 8:30 PM • Iron River Community Building

Childhood Trauma Workshop
April 26 • 5 - 9 PM • Hayward High School Auditorium

North Central RTAC Trauma Conference
April 27

Airway Management in Unique Circumstances
April 28 • 9 AM - 2 PM • WITC, Rice Lake

Under One Roof
May 15 - 16 • Duluth, MN

North Memorial Air Care Spring Conference
May 17 • Siren Airport

2018 Advances in Trauma Care
May 18 • Gundersen Health System, La Crosse

Geriatric Trauma Conference
May 18 • Plymouth, MN

WI Stroke Conference
May 18 • Wisconsin Dells

RTAC Regional Trauma Advisory Council Meeting
May 22 • Mosaic Telecom Training Room, Cameron

Eye Heart World: Combatting Human Trafficking in NW Wisconsin
May 31 • 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM • Flat Creek Inn and Suites, Hayward, WI

Intermediate ICS 300
June 5 - 6 • Spooner Fire Hall

Medical Management of CBRNE Events (PER 211)
June 12 - 13 • WITC New Richmond Campus

Emergency Care and Trauma Symposium
June 25 - 27 • Wisconsin Dells

Dementia Awareness Training for WI First Responders
August 9 • 10 AM - 2:30 PM • WITC, Rice Lake

Meeting Minutes

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:

Lacey Huset (MCHS-Northland)
Erica Kurtz (Memorial Medical Center-Ashland)
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.