Appleton's EMS Evolution : From Horses to Helicopters

by Jon Hagen

This book is a detailed history of the evolution of emergency medical services in Appleton, WI. EMS history is traced from a horse-drawn ambulance in the early 1900s, the development of a helicopter service in 1986, and to the present-day EMS service in the area. A large portion of the book details the elimination of the Appleton Fire Department paramedic ambulance service in the mid-80s. Mayor Dorothy Johnson (who was initially elected with the strong support of the firefighters union), appointed a task force to study the issue of dual ambulance response involving the fire department and a private service, Gold Cross Ambulance. The task force voted to take the fire department ambulance out of service, which led to the formation of a citizen's group supporting reinstatement of the service. This led to a referendum vote on April 1, 1986. The issue, which initially was a "paramedic issue" became a "right to vote" issue, as citizens were frustrated at the way things unfolded. The Appleton Post-Crescent called it "the most hotly contested political issue in years" for the Fox Valley area.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2025