By Chris Vetter

The Leader-Telegram

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. — Fifteen years ago, the Boyd-Edson-Delmar EMS Department received 327 calls for service. This year, the agency has fielded 750 calls, says Chief Ron Patten.

“It’s more than double,” Patten said Monday. “There’s more of a need. A lot of people stay at home longer, which is better for everybody. But it means more calls for service.”

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Patten, who also is county coroner and Chippewa County EMS Association chairman, is set to join the Chippewa County Ad Hoc EMS Study Committee. The Chippewa County Board will officially create the committee at their meeting tonight.

Patten said when he joined the EMS agency 46 years ago, it

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