Dodge County, Wisconsin
November 5, 2026
Dodge County Executive Committee Advances Plan for County-Wide EMS Collaboration
Proposed collaborative committee would support multi-year effort to evaluate and strengthen emergency medical services
JUNEAU — The Dodge County Executive Committee unanimously recommended moving forward with the establishment of a county-wide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Committee at Monday’s meeting, advancing a multi-year initiative to review, assess and strengthen EMS services throughout Dodge County.
“The County recognizes how critical EMS is to the success and well-being of our communities,” Board Chair Dave Frohling said. “Our main goal is to ensure reliable emergency response and positive outcomes for our constituents by supporting the organizations and individuals who provide these essential services.”
In July 2026, Sheriff Dale Schmidt restarted conversations with local fire and EMS providers, municipalities and elected officials to identify challenges facing emergency medical services and explore opportunities for collaboration. Building on the momentum established by the Sheriff with local fire chiefs, the County is reaffirming its commitment to a coordinated, county-wide effort to address EMS challenges and support local providers.
The proposed committee would provide a structured forum for stakeholders to share information, evaluate county-wide needs and work toward sustainable solutions. The collaborative approach is intended to ensure communities and EMS organizations are actively involved in the planning process as the County evaluates opportunities to strengthen emergency medical services.
A study completed in 2020 reviewing Dodge County’s EMS system highlighted the heavy reliance on volunteers among local EMS organizations. The study also identified declining volunteer participation as a growing challenge, contributing to a limited pool of trained individuals available to provide emergency services.
“Our part in this conversation is to provide support for the mission,” Board Vice Chair Andrew Johnson said. “We want to ensure that every community in Dodge County has well-supported emergency services while working collaboratively to address the resource challenges facing so many EMS organizations.”
The challenges facing Dodge County are not unique. Counties throughout Wisconsin have been exploring ways to strengthen EMS systems through increased coordination and regional collaboration. At the state level, UW-Madison employs a Rural EMS Outreach Manager through the UW School of Medicine, and the State Legislature passed the State-Funded EMS Education Reimbursement Program through 2025 Wisconsin Act 35 to assist eligible individuals and employers with EMS education expenses.
Other counties have also pursued collaborative approaches to EMS planning. Chippewa County recently recommended establishing a county-level EMS Coordinator following a lengthy study of its EMS system. Vilas County has moved toward a jointly funded EMS district, an approach that reportedly reduced average response times to approximately 13 minutes from 40 minutes or more in some areas under its previous model.
The proposed Dodge County committee would focus on bringing stakeholders together to evaluate service needs, identify opportunities for improved coordination and develop recommendations to support the long-term sustainability of EMS throughout the County. Additional details regarding the committee’s structure, membership and responsibilities will be developed after the budget process concludes later this month.
The County continues to anticipate bringing an EMS Coordinator onboard in 2027 as part of its broader EMS planning initiative. Establishing a collaborative foundation and ensuring all stakeholders are engaged in the process will be an important step toward advancing that position and the County’s long-term EMS goals.
“Dodge County is committed to working alongside our communities to ensure emergency medical services remain strong and sustainable,” Frohling said. “It’s important that we bring all stakeholders along in the process and ensure their voices are heard as we move forward. By building on the momentum already established and taking a coordinated approach, we can better understand the challenges facing our EMS organizations and work toward solutions that benefit the entire County.”
