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Paramedics at Hennepin EMS are highly experienced and are afforded a high degree of autonomy and aggressive treatment guidelines thanks to rigorous training, a high call volume, and physician support.  More than that, our patient outcomes are exceptional, with cardiac arrest survival rates well beyond the national average. We believe in providing our paramedics with the proper tools and training necessary to provide the highest level of care to our customers. Our paramedics routinely initiate Cath Lab activation from the field; and every ambulance carries a LUCAS3 device, Intra Osseous access equipment, McGRATH video laryngoscopy, Zoll X series, CPAP, electronic patient charting, liquid oxygen, and more.  Our advanced practice paramedics (P3) are trained to perform ultrasound, advanced airway techniques, and other next level skills. We believe strongly in teaching, research, and innovation and are always looking to advance patient care by assessing where we are currently and where we can improve.

Beyond patient care, Hennepin EMS places great emphasis on skill in scene management and the Incident Command System. Through lessons learned during the 35W Bridge collapse, an active shooter response, large commercial fires, and natural disasters, Hennepin EMS trains every paramedic for service in various command roles to ensure effective operations and the rapid transport of victims from large scale operations.

We are committed to the safety of our staff as well as our customers.  This commitment is evidenced by Hennepin EMS being the first large EMS service in the world to install Stryker Power-LOAD® in our entire fleet of ambulances.  It is further evidenced in our continued drive toward innovation and change in both ambulance design, as well as medical equipment and technology. We achieve this by working closely with ambulance and medical equipment manufacturers, to ensure we are always moving forward in the areas of safety and efficiency for the staff and customer experience. Our fleet of Road Rescue ambulances are fully compliant to SAE and CAAS v.1, and we utilize the newest technology to ensure our staff have the tools they need to provide exceptional care to the customers we serve.

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Paramedic Careers

56,259

Patient Transports (2018)

37

ALS Ambulances

173

Paramedics

Charles Sloan III

Charles Sloan III

Deputy Chief of Operations

charles.sloan@hcmed.org
Biography

I started my career in EMS in 1996 with a local ambulance service doing wheelchair and BLS transports. I then transitioned to a Dispatcher role, and eventually dispatched for 911, critical care, and helicopter transports. In 2000, I started working with a local air ambulance provider as an EMT, eventually working my way up to Flight Paramedic. Today I am enrolled at Bethel University and continue to work on my Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development & Leadership. I started working for Hennepin EMS in 2015 and never looked back. I am proud to be associated with such an outstanding team of Leaders, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Dispatchers.

Kent Koelln

Kent Koelln

Battalion Chief of Operations

kent.koelln@hcmed.org
Biography

I started in EMS in 1990 as an EMT on the local ambulance in the small town I grew up in. My parents had served on the fire department and ambulance for many years prior and were Advanced Frist Aid instructors, so it seemed natural to start serving at a young age. Eventually the call of the big city (Hutchinson MN) lured me away. I took An EMT-I course and was hired part time at the Hutchinson Ambulance Service. I became a Paramedic in 1997 and took a full time position.

I was hired here at Hennepin EMS in 2002. During my time at Hennepin EMS I have held the position of HCAPE Chief Paramedic Steward and served on several different committees. I have held my current position as a Battalion Chief of Operations since March of 2018.