By Heather McDonald

Portage County will negotiate directly with the village of Plover to expand its Emergency Management Services (EMS) system south, and a two-paramedic model will be among the options.

The county EMS Negotiations Group Thursday, July 20, unanimously voted to negotiate directly with Plover officials for a contract establishing an EMS unit in the village. In the past, the concern about expansion has surrounded a two-paramedic versus a one-paramedic/one emergency medical technician (EMT) model.

Group member Phil Idsvoog said last week the two-paramedic paradigm should be looked at as well.

“Plover is now a community of over 12,000, there’s absolutely no reason why there shouldn’t be an ambulance 24/7 out there,” he said. “I’m asking that part of the discussion with Plover be a two-paramedic system.”

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