1) Why is the ambulance building located where it is?
The building just turned 10 years old. This location was chosen because it is in the middle of town and easy to get to.
2) What is the worst call you've been to?
That was my first call. I started out in Osceola 16 years ago, and my first call was a plane crash where two planes crashed in the air. Seven people died in the crash.
3) What was the most unusual call you've had?
It was another plane accident where a man literally "broke his face". He thought he was ok and was talking but when he talked, his face moved in a really strange way. It turned out that he had broken the front of his skull all around his face, so it moved like a halloween mask.
4) What time of day do you get most of your calls?
Between 7am and 10am and between 1pm and 6pm. Some of that is because of traffic, but the morning calls are often people that wake up not feeling well and need help.
5) What are some of the most unusual tools that you use?
One is called an I-O Device that is like a drill that is used to give IV drugs if your veins are collapsed and they can't use a regular needle. It drills into your leg bone and drugs are put right into your bone marrow. Another is the Hare Traction Device that is used if you have a broken femur. It is a brace that goes on your leg and then has a winch that is used to pull your leg straight. Mr. Rixmann demonstrated both of these for us when we went inside one of the ambulances.
6) Can you drive as fast as you want in the ambulance?
No - we have to drive safely like everyone else. We can go up to 10 miles over the speed limit.
7) Do you have a GPS in the ambulance?
The new ambulance has it built in. We are going to have it put into the other ones.
8) Would you have to go on a call if one came in in the middle of a meeting?
It would depend on how many ambulances are out and if I'm on-call. If I was on-call, yes, I'd have to go.
9) Why did you choose to live in River Falls?
I went to college in River Falls and met my wife here. I joined the Ambulance Service in 1994 and just really liked the community.
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Jeff Rixmann, Director of the River Falls Ambulance Service, sat down with an interview with the Web Team.
This is the I-O Device that is used to give drugs
when your veins are collapsed. The drill goes
right into your bone below your knee.
 Checking out the interior of the brand-new
ambulance! |
