July 13, 2012  E-Update    

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Governor Walker Declares Drought Emergency

State Representative Joan Ballweg (R- Markesan) is hoping farmers will report drought conditions. During a state emergency the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) can expedite requests from farmers and help farmers with sources of assistance.

There are several places you can go to receive information, including the DATCP website at http://datcp.wi.gov/Farms/Drought_2012 and UW Extension website at http://fyi.counties.uwex.edu/drought 2012 or contact your local county office.

Gathering information on crop conditions and reporting to your local US Farm Service Agency will help provide the basis for the Governor to request a disaster declaration by the US Secretary of Agriculture if necessary. This could make low cost emergency loans and other assistance available to farmers.

“I encourage farmers in these counties to use the above information to make informed decisions about your farm and to help out neighboring farmers,” states Ballweg.

Special Committee on 911 Communications

State Representative Joan Ballweg (R- Markesan) will chair the Committee to review 911 Public Safety Communications in Wisconsin. The committee is comprised of four legislators and twelve public members, ranging from Chiefs of Police to Communication Center Directors to General Managers of telephone companies.

The committee will study the creation of a statewide entity to provide organization and long-term planning for the system, the training curriculum and requirements for 911 dispatch personnel, and the establishment of a minimum 911 service standards. Other topics will be methods to upgrade technology to enable responders to locate calls originating from large or multi-location facilities, existing funding sources and projected costs of the system, and to look at best practices around the country for potential implementation in Wisconsin.

“I look forward to working with a diverse collection of members that have knowledge in every facet of the 911 system,” states Ballweg. “This is a great opportunity to strengthen and improve our 911 system and to develop new legislation as needed.”

The first meeting will be July 19th in Madison.

Department of Health release a memo this week regarding WI EMS First Responders

During this recent 2012-2014 renewal cycle, we have discovered that many first responders have never applied for a certificate or have let it lapse. Under DHS 113 published in 2005 and under current rule DHS 110, all first responder personnel must be certified to perform duties as a first responder. In an effort to retain as many first responders as possible, we are offering a one-time waiver for licensure.

If you had initial training and never applied for a certificate:

1. Complete a waiver request form stating why you did not obtain your certificate and request the limited waiver for first responder certification. The form can be found at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/F0/F00569.doc

2. Complete the “EMS Personnel Initial License Application” in E-Licensing . Account set-up instructions and applications instructions can be found at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/License_certification/elicensing/index.htm

3. Upload to your application the documentation of your initial first responder training and biennial first responder refreshers up to the current renewal period.

4. Provide your current CPR expiration date on the application.

5. Once we review the above information, we will send you an authorization letter to take the written National Registry first responder assessment exam.

6. Schedule and complete your exam.

7. Submit your results to our office. There is no fee because this is considered your initial license.

If you have held a certificate that expired BEFORE June 30, 2010 and was not renewed:

1. Complete a waiver request form stating why you did not renew your certificate and request the limited waiver for first responder certification. The form can be found at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/F0/F00569.doc

2. Complete the “06-2011 Provider Reinstatement License Application” in E-Licensing. Application instructions can be found at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/License_certification/elicensing/index.htm

3. Pay the associated $75 reinstatement fee. This fee may be paid on-line after completing the application or may be sent via cashier’s check or money order to our office.

4. Upload to your application the documentation of your initial first responder training and biennial first responder refreshers up to the current renewal period.

5. Provide your current CPR expiration date on the application.

6. Once we review the above information, we will send you an authorization letter to take the written National Registry first responder assessment exam.

7. Schedule and complete your exam.

8. Submit your results to our office.

If you have held a certificate that expired on June 30, 2012 and was not renewed:

1. Complete the “07-2012 Late Renewal Application” in E-Licensing. Application instructions can be found at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/License_certification/elicensing/index.htm

2. Pay the associated $50 late renewal fee. This fee may be paid on-line after completing the application or may be sent via cashier’s check or money order to our office.

3. Upload to your application the documentation of your formal first responder refresher course completed after July 1, 2010 and before December 31, 2012.

4. Provide your current CPR expiration date on the application.

We have worked diligently to get everyone properly certified since it became required in 2005. This is the final opportunity for first responder personnel who have never obtained certification, or who let their certification lapse, to obtain the certification without repeating the initial training. If you are aware of anyone that falls within these circumstances, please forward this information to them for their consideration.

REMINDER: This accommodation expires on December 31, 2012

 


 

State Capitol - Room 210 North | Post Office Box 8952 | Madison, Wisconsin 53708
(608) 266-8077 | Rep.Ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov