Cross Plains Area EMS is proud to partner with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Center for Pre-Health Advising as a host department for the EMT Experience Program (EMTEP). Through this two-year program, UW–Madison undergraduates receive EMT certification, transportation, and structured, mentored field experience with rural EMS agencies, including CPEMS. As part of EMTEP, students serve regular volunteer shifts on our ambulances, participate in monthly department training, and receive ongoing professional development designed to prepare them for future careers in healthcare while strengthening EMS coverage in our community.

From a practical standpoint, we gain a small but steady pipeline of EMT‑certified students who are committed to a two‑year service relationship, including regular shifts and monthly department trainings. That helps us stabilize staffing, especially for a rural/volunteer-heavy service like ours, without the same level of turnover you might see with casual student volunteers. Because transportation is built into the program, students can reliably reach Cross Plains even if they don’t have their own vehicle, which removes a common barrier for UW students and makes scheduling smoother on our end.

The program is intentionally designed around mentorship and professional development, so EMTEP students arrive expecting coaching, feedback, and progressive responsibility—not just “riding along.” That pushes our staff to lean into teaching and leadership, which strengthens our internal culture. Over the two years, students learn our equipment, protocols, and rural response environment, and they are positioned to take on more meaningful roles in patient care and even leadership, which adds depth to our crew mix. Long-term, EMTEP also builds a network of future physicians, PAs, nurses, and other professionals who understand rural EMS and know CPEMS by name—people who may later advocate for us, partner with us, or even return as employees or medical directors.