WAUPACA – “Ambulance calls for babies and children are some of the most stressful emergencies we deal with,” according to Annalisha Shaw, paramedic with the Waupaca Area Ambulance Service (WAAS).

Because even minutes can make a difference in these stressful calls, the Waupaca Kiwanis Club recently donated two pediatric bags to help local emergency personnel perform their jobs better and quicker.

Kiwanis Clubs across the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan District have been contacting their local emergency services departments to see if they possess equipment that is appropriately sized for infants and young children. Pediatric Jump Kit bags are easy to carry and stow, and include equipment such as airways, IVs, oxygen tubing, catheters and other items that are organized according to a child’s size. Shaw and paramedic Ben Gordon recently demonstrated the newly purchased pediatric bags to the Kiwanis, showing how smaller color-coded packs fit in a duffle. Emergency Medical Service providers can quickly refer to a chart to determine what color pack to choose for an infant or child, and all the appropriately sized equipment is contained inside.

“We can grab the right color pack and go to work,” Shaw said.

Packs have been provided to WAAS by the Waupaca Kiwanis Club to supply two ambulances. Some areas of the state without their own Kiwanis Clubs are receiving donations from other clubs so pediatric bags can be provided there, too.

Waupaca Kiwanis Club meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Maple Crest Funeral Home, and on the third Tuesday at Courtside on Apple Tree Lane, across U.S. Highway 10 from Fleet Farm in Waupaca. Kiwanis funds local projects benefiting children, youths and families through fundraising activities such as the Kiwanis popcorn wagon. New members are welcome.

 top of page