A volunteer rescue squad in a tiny southwest Wisconsin village is adding to its quiver of emergency medical equipment thanks to its local electric cooperative and the region’s generation and transmission co-op.
Richland Electric Cooperative, based in Richland Center, and its G&T, La Crosse-based Dairyland Power Cooperative, together gave the Cazenovia Area Rescue Squad $2,000 recently to purchase a second Rad-57 oximeter to monitor carbon monoxide levels in patients. Now, both of the squad’s ambulances will be equipped to detect when people have been exposed to the odorless gas, which can cause illness, loss of consciousness and death.
“[The oximeter] is particularly important for patients with potential carbon monoxide exposure, which can be caused by a malfunctioning furnace, hot water heater, car exhaust and more,” said Jeffrey Even, director of the rescue squad, which has served this rural community of 318 residents for nearly 50 years. “It is a very useful tool for our assessment of firefighters at fire scenes, where exposure to this type of gas is high.”
Richland Electric, which serves Cazenovia within its 3,250-member territory, and Dairyland each donated $1,000 through the Cooperative Contributions Program, started by the G&T to distribute donations aimed at improving quality of life in its four-state service area.
In 2023, Dairyland created the program to donate $1,000 in each of its 24 member co-op service territories toward initiatives that support education, environmental stewardship and community well-being. The member cooperative selects the organization to receive the donation and can choose to match any amount up to Dairyland’s $1,000.
“As an electric cooperative, we are committed to the well-being of our community,” said Richland Electric CEO and General Manager Amy Martin. “Our collaboration with Dairyland allows us to address the needs of our emergency services that are vital in our rural areas.”
Dairyland President and CEO Brent Ridge said supporting the rescue squad is in line with the G&T’s No. 1 priority: safety.
“We are proud to support initiatives that reinforce that commitment and ensure a safer environment for our members and neighbors,” Ridge said.
Cathy Cash is a staff writer for NRECA.