Sun Prairie Fire & EMS provides outstanding, patient-centered, pre-hospital care.
09/23/2025
🚑🔥 Sun Prairie Fire & EMS at the Medical College of Wisconsin! 📊📚
This week, members of Sun Prairie Fire & EMS are proud to be attending a specialized course hosted by the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The focus? Using data to drive quality improvement in prehospital care.
By learning how to better collect, analyze, and apply data, we're strengthening our ability to deliver safe, effective, and evidence-based care to the Sun Prairie community.
Huge thanks to NAEMSP and MCW for providing this opportunity to grow and lead with purpose. 💪
At Sun Prairie Fire & EMS, service doesn’t stop when the shift ends. On September 10, our firefighters and paramedics proudly took part in the Fairway Games, an event dedicated to raising funds that provide service dogs for veterans. 🇺🇸🐕
These dogs offer life-changing support to those who have served our country, and we’re honored to play even a small role in helping make that possible.
Thanks to Paramedics Tim, Lindsay and Melinda, along with Firefighters John and Evan for making our department and community proud yesterday.
Whether it’s responding to emergencies or showing up for our neighbors in new ways, our team is always here for the community. 💪
09/03/2025
August in a glance....
08/29/2025
On behalf of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Inc. promotes self-discipline, self-confidence, and a spirit of selfless service for humanity through its structured values education program for Hindu children and adults. Currently, HSS operates nearly 250 branches nationwide, including 4 branches in Wisconsin.
Hindus have traditionally observed Rakṣā Bandhana – loosely translated as the “Protection Connection” – as a holiday reaffirming the relationship between sisters and brothers. HSS celebrates this occasion at a societal level to reaffirm our social and civic responsibilities to support and protect the community that they are part of. In this spirit, since 2004, they have used the occasion of a traditional Hindu holiday known as Rakṣā Bandhana (pronounced ruck-SHAH bund-HUN) to meet with civic leaders and public safety officers. Sun Prairie Fire, EMS and Police Department would like to thank the HSS for stopping by and celebrating Rakṣā Bandhana with us.
08/14/2025
☀️🔥 Sweet Corn Festival Heat Safety Reminder 🔥☀️
It’s going to be a hot and humid weekend in Sun Prairie! If you’re heading to the Sweet Corn Festival, we want you to have fun AND stay safe. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can sneak up fast—especially in big crowds.
🌽 Hot Weather Safety Tips:
💧 Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drink water regularly—don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
🧢 Find shade or take breaks in air-conditioned areas when you can.
🕶 Dress for the weather—lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing is your friend.
🛑 Know the signs of heat-related illness: dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion, or rapid pulse. Seek help immediately if they occur.
☀️ Don’t forget sunscreen! Apply before you go and reapply every couple of hours—sunburn can happen quickly, even on cloudy days.
We’ll be out there with you, keeping an eye on everyone’s safety. Let’s make sure the only thing getting roasted this weekend is the corn! 🌽🔥
08/07/2025
July at a glance - Sun Prairie Fire & EMS - EMS Sun Prairie Fire & EMS - Fire Division
07/21/2025
🚨 Extreme Heat Watch in Effect for Sun Prairie 🚨
Sun Prairie is about to roast. We’re under an Extreme Heat Watch starting Wednesday, and it’s no joke — heat index values could reach the upper 90s or more. That kind of heat puts serious stress on your body and can turn dangerous fast.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe (and keep your loved ones safe too):
🔥 What to Expect
Temps in the 90s°F with high humidity will make it feel even hotter
Increased risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke
The most at-risk: young kids, older adults, outdoor workers, people with chronic conditions, and pets
✅ How to Stay Safe
💧 Hydrate: Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks.
🧢 Dress smart: Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
🕶 Plan ahead: Limit outdoor activity to early morning or late evening. Rest often in the shade or air conditioning.
🚿 Cool off: Use cool showers, wet towels, or fans if you feel overheated.
👀 Check on others: Make sure vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family are okay — especially if they don’t have A/C.
🚨 Know the Warning Signs
Heat Exhaustion: heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea — move to a cool place, sip water, and cool the body.
Heat Stroke (this is a 911 emergency): hot, dry skin, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Call 911 and start cooling immediately.
Let’s look out for each other, Sun Prairie. Keep your pets inside, don’t leave anyone in a parked car, and take this heat seriously.
Stay safe, stay cool, and hydrate like your life depends on it — because it just might. 🧊💦
07/10/2025
🚨 July 10: A Day of Remembrance 🚨
Today, we pause to remember July 10, 2018—a day that forever changed the Sun Prairie community.
We honor the life and sacrifice of Captain Cory Barr, who gave everything in service to others. Cory wasn’t just a firefighter—he was a leader, a husband, a father, a friend, and a cornerstone of this city. His dedication to Sun Prairie lives on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege to know him.
We also recognize the strength and resilience of the community that came together in the face of tragedy. As we reflect on this day, we recommit ourselves to the values Cory embodied: courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.
Please take a moment today to remember Captain Barr and all those affected by the events of that day. 🇺🇸❤️
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For much of the City of Sun Prairie’s history, the Police Department was responsible for responding to medical emergencies in the community and providing ambulance transportation for the sick and injured. Then, in the late 1970s, Dane County published its plan for Ambulance Districts, intent on developing the outline by which Emergency Medical Services could be delivered to all residents of Dane County. In June of 1977, then Police Lieutenant Carlyle Wilkinson (who’d been managing the volunteer ambulance service at the time) recommended to the City Council that it develop its own ambulance service. Thus, the Sun Prairie Emergency Medical Services agency began in October of 1977.
By early 1978, there were 34 volunteers on the Sun Prairie EMS roster, including current Alderperson Mary Polenske and current Mayor Paul Esser. In 1985, volunteer EMT Don Wadyka was appointed to be the very first EMS Director. Working limited hours and paid a stipend, he was succeeded by Director Mary Polenske in 1990, who, due to the agency’s growth and increased demand for service, later became the first full-time Director.
Since its inception, Sun Prairie EMS volunteers dedicated themselves to providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured for over 20 years, and relied on nearby City of Madison Fire Department for assistance with more serious incidents when paramedic-level care was necessary. In early 2000s, the City of Madison notified the City of Sun Prairie that it was no longer able to provide paramedic-level care following the current business model; and so on August 9, 2004 the City of Sun Prairie took the bold step of increasing its EMS service delivery to paramedic level and becoming a full-time career agency. Director Polenske led the agency through this transition and was instrumental in positioning Sun Prairie EMS for a healthy and sustainable future.
When Director Polenske retired in 2008, EMS Director James “Kep” Anderson joined the team. At the beginning of the economic recession, demand for EMS services dipped by just over 100 calls annually and the agency was challenged to continue to meet the community’s needs on a tight budget. By 2016, the economy had recovered, the City was growing again, and demand for EMS increased by 15%. In 2017, the City restructured the EMS Department and Training Officer Eric Lang took over day-to-day managment of the Department while a nationwide search was conducted for a new EMS Chief. In January 2018, EMS Chief Brian Goff took the helm and looks forward to the challenges of leading the agency through the City’s continued growth and meeting the ever-changing needs of a dynamic and diverse community.
Since its beginning, the City of Sun Prairie Emergency Medical Services department has adapted to an ever-growing demand for services from both within the City limits, as well as from its neighbors. Today, the Sun Prairie EMS department protects approximately 35,500 citizens in a 46 square mile area. The paramedics at Sun Prairie EMS respond to almost 3,000 calls for service annually in the City of Sun Prairie, the Town of Bristol, and neighboring areas of DeForest, Marshall, and Madison. For many of its neighbors to the north, west, and east, Sun Prairie EMS is the only advanced-life-support provider, and is a critical public safety partner.
