Stockbridge-Munsee Community
Public Safety
Staff
Before an EMS first responder service was available, Health Providers through the Stockbridge-Munsee Health and Wellness Center responded to medical emergencies until an ambulance arrived. The need for EMS personnel was first initiated for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community through the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Health Representatives (CHR) program. CHR responsibilities were best described as an advocate between the patient and the health care center. They would assist the community members with their medication needs, transportation and anything else that might create a barrier for patients to get their health taken care of. Because of their trusted outreach work and connection with the community, the Stockbridge-Munsee Health Board required the CHRs to become our first trained EMT’s in 1974-75.
In 1979 the Stockbridge-Munsee Community hired an EMS Coordinator to put a program together for emergency services. As people took an interest in taking the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, it wasn’t long before a good number of trained EMTs were available.
Fully staffed by EMTs, the Stockbridge-Munsee Ambulance Service became available in the early 1980’s. Between 1983-84 Emergency Medical First Responders were also recruited to work with the EMTs.
As time went on ambulance personnel could not be retained in order to keep the ambulance service available and licensed. The Stockbridge-Munsee ambulance service was discontinued in 1987. A new strategy followed to recruit EMS personnel. The new focus would be to coordinate an EMS first responder program made up of both EMTs and First Responders without the Stockbridge-Munsee Ambulance. Tigerton Area Ambulance would be the primary responding area ambulance service.
Due to a limited number of EMS 1st Responders available only (1) Responder at a time could be scheduled daily for responding to emergencies. The EMS Coordinator decided to move on and resigned from his position in October of 1992. Rehiring for the position was postponed.
Coordination responsibilities of the Stockbridge-Munsee EMS continued to be carried out by the Stockbridge-Munsee Health Center Facility Safety Coordinator under the guidance of the Stockbridge-Munsee EMS Medical Advisor. Later recruitment efforts resulted in an increase of 1st Responders, which allowed Stockbridge-Munsee EMS to schedule (2) responders at one time, rather than (1).
In 1998 the Tribe decided to post a position to hire a full-time Coordinator that would coordinate the EMS part-time and Volunteer Fire Department part-time. In July of 1999 this position was filled.
In October of 2001 the Stockbridge-Munsee EMS services was separated from the fire department responsibilities. The Coordinator’s positions would now focus more on emergency medical services and injury prevention for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community.
In October of 2002 the full time EMS Coordinator moved on and the Coordinator position was again vacant. Until the position could be filled, the Stockbridge-Munsee Health and Wellness Center Safety Director would again carry out the Coordination responsibilities for the Stockbridge-Munsee EMS Services.
In August of 2003 the full time EMS Coordinator position was filled.
Today the Stockbridge-Munsee EMS 1st Responder Service is staffed by (6) active responders made up of both EMTs and Emergency 1st Responders. In an effort to assure that someone is available at all times to respond to an emergency, stand by coverage is scheduled on a 24 hour basis, seven days a week, weekends and holidays. The service is very important to the Community and is supported well by the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Government. The service has also been enhanced with good team support received from the Tigerton Area Ambulance Service.
The mission of the Office of Emergency Management is to provide an integrated, comprehensive emergency management program for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. The office is responsible for the preparedness, training, and coordination of emergency response and recovery efforts. The Office of Emergency Management plans for natural, manmade, or technological hazards that could adversely affect all members and sustainable operations of this community.
I support the community in an effort to reduce loss of life and property, to protect the environment through collaboration, improve our capabilities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. I will provide assistance coordinating resources, expertise, leadership, and advocacy through a comprehensive risk-based emergency preparedness program.
Basic Emergency Supply Kit –
Prescription’s, Pills, Purses, Food for at least 3 days of non-perishable food. Water for drinking and sanitation, Battery powered or hand cranked radio or NOAA weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries, whistle to signal for help, flash light with extra batteries, first aid kit and pets and pet supplies
The Emergency Preparedness Manager conducts hazard mitigation planning for the Stockbridge Munsee Tribe. These plans are nested within FEMA guidelines and are coordinated with the surrounding counties and the Wisconsin Emergency Management Team. The Emergency Preparedness Manager also serves as Primary Incident Commander during Tribal Council declared emergencies.
The Emergency Preparedness Manager reports to the Executive Director during normal operations; however, during declared emergencies, the Incident Commander reports directly to Tribal Council. The Emergency Preparedness Manager coordinates across the enterprise to ensure emergency mitigation and response needs are met and budgeted.
Public Safety is also home to the Stockbridge-Munsee Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, which has 9 active members. The Fire Department is trained to deal with any type of structural fire, auto crashes or auto fires or wildfires within the boundaries of the Stockbridge-Munsee area.
Each FF must attend the 96-hours Certified Entry Level FF class to join the Fire Department. They also must attend a minimal of 24-hours in-house training yearly along with continuing education class offered by the Technical Colleges once certified. The FF are paged through the dispatch center located at the Shawano County Sheriff’s office. The volunteers carry a radio as well as a pager so they can be reached in case of a fire. IamResponding is another type of notification for the FD members through an ap on their phones. The fire department fleet includes two Engines, Tender, Equipment Van that also serves as a mobile Command Post, and Brush truck and trailer to haul their six-wheeler for brush fire.
Our Fire Department is part of Shawano County’s Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS 133), this allows for assistance from neighboring Fire Departments to provide manpower and equipment needed to protect the community.
The Fire Department also has a sign mutual aid agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with wildland fire. Public Safety works with the Emergency Manager when needed (see Emergency Management section under services).
The Stockbridge Munsee Law Enforcement Division strives to deliver professional and timely services to the members of the community. We continue to seek ways to enhance our bond with the community and to reduce criminal activity in our patrol area through problem oriented and community-oriented policing efforts and by encouraging residents to seek out the police and wardens to discuss their concerns. The law enforcement division is made up of the police department and the conservation department. Both have overlapping duties, work closely with one and another and rely on each other for assistance when need be.
The Stockbridge-Munsee Indian Tribe has a Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement with Shawano County. The Stockbridge-Munsee also has contracts with the neighboring village of Gresham to provide Law Enforcement services. The officers are deputized by Shawano County and are Wisconsin State Certified Law Enforcement Officers.