We strive to provide high-quality, evidence-based medical care supported by reliable equipment, ongoing training, and consistent clinical standards. Our goal is to ensure every patient receives the same level of care, no matter when or where we respond.
We strive to create a positive experience for every patient, family, community member and partner agency by being attentive, respectful, and responsive. Our crews are committed to showing up with professionalism and compassion, ensuring people feel supported throughout every interaction.
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Our commitment extends beyond emergency calls. We engage in outreach, education, and local partnerships because we don’t see ourselves as an ambulance service that exists within the community—we see ourselves as a community organization that happens to respond to ambulance calls.
We work to remain financially stable and self-sufficient so we can support the other pillars of our mission. We charge the lowest taxes allowable—0% where permitted—and make careful, responsible decisions that allow us to invest in our people, equipment, and programs.
Darin Wendel is an experienced EMS and healthcare executive with more than 33 years of experience in emergency medical services, healthcare operations, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions with multiple healthcare organizations, leading organizational development, operational transformation, clinical advancement, and strategic growth. Darin has a proven ability to translate ideas and strategic vision into practical programs, sustainable systems, and measurable organizational improvements. His experience includes developing new service lines, strengthening organizational culture, improving workforce retention, and advancing operational and financial performance. His leadership approach combines strategic vision and business acumen with a hands-on understanding of the challenges facing today's EMS professionals. He is passionate about developing strong teams, empowering people, and building organizations that deliver exceptional care while remaining operationally and financially sustainable. Darin holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and maintains Nationally Registered Paramedic credentials, bringing together more than three decades of healthcare experience with a broad background in executive leadership and organizational management.
Aarron has become nationally known as a leader, master teacher and expert in management, leadership, system design and applied best practices in rural and small town emergency medical services systems. Aarron has been involved in emergency medical services for more than 30 years and is well known for asking tough questions and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking. Using such tools as the Balanced Scorecard, Aarron helps organizations recognize the necessary balance between finance, customer service, employee satisfaction and community awareness. Aarron’s recognized understanding of current emergency services issues led to him serving on numerous national boards and projects and to an appointment as chairperson of the National EMS Advisory Council by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
Operations
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Clinical
Admin
The evolution of Lakes Region EMS from rural roots to high-performance critical care.
Three separate organizations started as volunteer-run operations.
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The three organizations formally united under one mission.
Lakes Region EMS added whole blood to its clinical capabilities, marking an important advancement in the treatment of patients experiencing life-threatening hemorrhage.
Five stations and twelve ambulances delivering high-quality care.
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/ ANNUAL REPORTS
A look back at the care, progress, and communities that shaped our year.
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