The Wisconsin EMS Association Announces Board of Directors for 2026 Fiscal Year
Wind Lake, WI — The Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA) is pleased to announce its Board of Directors for the 2026 Fiscal Year. We welcome two new board members and congratulate two current WEMSA board members for being re-elected for another term. We extend our sincere gratitude to outgoing Board Members Evelynn Dax and Jay Young for their dedicated service and lasting contributions to our organization.
Evelynn Dax most recently served on the Executive Committee in the role of Vice President, bringing her expertise as a Paramedic and Instructor to advance WEMSA's mission throughout her tenure. Her commitment to EMS education and professional development has been a valuable asset to the organization and the members it serves.
Jay Young served on the Board since 2020 and as Board Treasurer, he has greatly contributed his steady leadership and financial stewardship to the Executive Committee. His dedication to the association and to the EMS community in Wisconsin has been greatly appreciated throughout his time on the board.
We are deeply appreciative of Evelynn and Jay's service, leadership, and tireless efforts on behalf of our members and the EMS community statewide.
Wyatt Sachen re-elected to another board term!
Wyatt Sachen continues his service on the WEMSA Board of Directors, bringing over 12 years of experience in EMS field operations and medical communications. Wyatt currently works full-time in the communications center with Life Link III, coordinating critical care transport operations, and also serves as a part-time AEMT with Emplify EMS and as an active first responder with Hatfield Fire & Rescue and County Line Fire & Rescue.
During his time on the board, Wyatt has served as Chair of the Membership Committee and as a member of the Education Committee. His experience across both field and dispatch environments gives him a well-rounded perspective on the challenges facing EMS providers and systems across Wisconsin. Wyatt is a CPR instructor and a strong advocate for community outreach, membership advocacy, and accessible continuing education. Outside of EMS, he enjoys ski patrolling in the winter and spending time outdoors kayaking and camping. Welcome back, Wyatt!
Adam Robarge re-elected to another board term!
Adam Robarge continues his service on the WEMSA Board of Directors, bringing over 25 years of EMS experience and a deep commitment to advocacy and the financial wellbeing of EMS organizations across Wisconsin. Adam currently serves as Deputy EMS Chief for Tomah Area Ambulance Service and holds a Bachelor's in Emergency Medical Services Administration and an Associate's in Emergency Services Administration.
During his time on the board, Adam has served on the Executive Committee as Secretary and as a member of the Political Action Committee. He has been an active voice for EMS at both the local and state level, including witnessing the signing of Wisconsin Act 145, expanding PTSD Worker's Compensation for EMS providers. Adam's 25 years of rural EMS experience, from volunteer EMT-Basic to leading a career Critical Care Transport service, makes him a strong advocate for the providers and communities WEMSA serves. He is from Tomah, where he lives with his wife Rachel, their four children, and two cats. In their spare time, Adam and Rachel operate an online resale business and compete in Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned competitions. Welcome back, Adam!
Welcome Herfrank Loyo!
Herfrank "Frank" Loyo brings a uniquely broad perspective to the WEMSA Board of Directors, shaped by experience across multiple EMS system models in Wisconsin and a career that began as a trauma surgeon in Venezuela before he rebuilt his professional path in emergency medical services in the United States. His first position in EMS in the United States was with Lifestar Ambulance Service, and over the years he has worked with several Wisconsin agencies including Waterloo Fire and EMS, Divine Savior EMS, and Sun Prairie EMS which is experience that gave him a strong understanding of the variety of models that support EMS across our state and the unique challenges providers face in different communities.
Frank currently serves as EMS Outreach Coordinator for UW Health and as a Senior EMS Instructor at Madison Area Technical College, where he works closely with EMS agencies across the state to strengthen collaboration between prehospital providers and hospital teams. He has been instrumental in expanding the UW Health Emergency Education Night Webinar Series into a statewide learning community that connects providers from across Wisconsin and beyond, supported UW Health in obtaining CAPCE institutional accreditation, and created the Madison College Fire & EMS Career Expo to connect students with agencies and strengthen the future EMS workforce. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Education Committee for the South Central Regional Trauma Advisory Council and previously served as a volunteer firefighter with the Columbus Fire Department which has deepened his appreciation for the fire and EMS partnership that supports emergency care in many Wisconsin communities.
Frank is passionate about EMS education, workforce development, and strengthening collaboration between EMS and hospital systems to improve patient outcomes. He is also committed to supporting EMS providers through initiatives like the ESO Health Data Exchange, which provides patient outcome data back to EMS agencies and supports meaningful quality improvement. Welcome, Frank!
Welcome Alexis Plaski!
Alexis "Lexie" Plaski joins the WEMSA Board of Directors as a Critical Care Paramedic at Mauston Area Ambulance and EMS Adjunct Instructor at Mid-State Technical College. With experience in both prehospital and emergency department settings, Alexis has seen EMS at its best (collaborative, disciplined, and clinically strong) and understands firsthand the cultural and systemic challenges that can push good providers out of the profession. Those experiences are a driving force behind her commitment to strengthening EMS from the inside out.
Alexis is the host of the Pulse of Purpose Podcast, where she leads open, honest conversations about the current state of EMS and how the profession can better support its people. She is deeply passionate about building confident providers through structured education and strong mentorship, shaping a professional culture grounded in accountability and emotional intelligence, and advocating for practical system-level strategies that improve provider wellness and long-term retention. Alexis believes that sustainable EMS systems are built when leaders model professionalism, support their teams mentally, professionally, and clinically, and are willing to step into the rooms where decisions are made.
As a board member, Alexis hopes to help move Wisconsin EMS from reactive problem-solving to proactive system improvement by advocating for stronger educational pathways, leadership development opportunities for emerging providers, and initiatives that address provider wellness without sacrificing clinical excellence. Welcome, Alexis!
The WEMSA Board of Directors consists of the following individuals:
- Chanse Kaczmarski, EMT-P, Board President, Board Term (2024–2027)
- Adam Robarge, EMT-P, Board Secretary, Board Term (2026–2029)
- Shaunna Bryant, EMT-P, Board Term (2024–2027)
- Wyatt Sachen, AEMT, Board Term (2026–2029)
- Becky Smudde, EMT, Board Term (2024–2027)
- Delaney Weiler, EMT-P, Board Term (2024–2027)
- Ryan Huser, EMT-P, Board Term (2025–2028)
- Ashley Carothers, EMR, Board Term (2025–2028)
- Jamie Stephenson, EMT-P, Board Term (2025–2028)
- Tyler Rush, EMT-P, Board Term (2025–2028)
- Herfrank Loyo, EMT-P, Board Term (2026–2029)
- Alexis Plaski, EMT-P, Board Term (2026–2029)
We would like to thank all of the candidates who applied for our Board of Directors who weren't elected this year. We appreciate the continued member engagement and support for the association and its mission. Past candidates and current members interested in serving on the Board of Directors are encouraged to apply again, as four spots are up for election each year.
"We are honored to welcome our newly elected board members, who bring diverse backgrounds and experiences from across the state, which will strengthen WEMSA's mission and impact. This year's strong slate of candidates reflects the deep commitment of EMS professionals across Wisconsin to shape the future of our organization. We always encourage all members to engage with the association and participate in ways that steer the future of EMS in Wisconsin." stated Alan DeYoung, Executive Director of WEMSA.
If you are interested in joining a committee, you can find more information at wisconsinems.com/get-involved! We encourage members to be involved in our committees, attend committee meetings, and provide insights and perspectives into key areas of focus. If you are interested in joining a committee, please complete the WEMSA Committee Interest Form.
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The Wisconsin EMS Association is a nonprofit trade association that represents and supports the views and interests of its membership in Wisconsin communities by promoting education, sharing information, and facilitating legislative action.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Wisconsin EMS Association
Alan DeYoung, Executive Director
(414) 431-8193
alan@wisconsinems.com