Letter to the Editor: Gardner First Responders Misrepresented by ‘Advocate’

The Door County Advocate published a recent article by Peter J. Devlin. The article title regarding the status of the Gardner First Responder squad is not only misleading but is inaccurate. And it did a great injustice to a dedicated group of emergency medical responders (EMRs). Devlin’s title caused the key fact that he presented at the end of his article to likely be missed:  “… Gardner First Responders, which, according to (Attorney) Nesbitt, has always had a valid license from the state and an agreement with the Door County Emergency Services Department.”

Whether it was a lack of research on the part of the writer or an attempt to sensationalize the story, I am not sure.

What I do know to be true is that after extensive initial and ongoing training, each Gardner First Responder is licensed by the state to provide EMR services as part of the state-licensed Gardner First Responder squad. The squad’s permission to operate and insurance coverage through the town of Gardner, was never in question.

A separate nonprofit entity for the purposes of collecting donations for squad equipment and training was authorized by the town board in 2009 and incorporation paperwork was completed by a Sturgeon Bay attorney. The failure of the chief financial officer of the nonprofit to complete annual reporting resulted in the dissolution of the nonprofit corporation. Oversight by the town board was obviously missing even though for many years a town board member was either on the squad or assigned as the board’s liaison.

Squad members were unaware of the dissolution and acted in good faith to hold fundraisers. The proceeds were used to purchase training equipment, uniforms, and to send squad members to state trainings.

Gardner residents can rest assured that the same quality of emergency medical services will continue to be provided while the town board seeks new leadership for the squad.

Dean Hoegger, Gardner first responder and state-licensed EMS provider  

Gardner, Wis.