Medina forms paramedic unit
BY KATE DANNA
Wednesday, April 27, 2026



Mike Maak calls his men warriors.

As director of operations for the newly formed Medina Paramedic Department, Maak is proud of the fact that himself, Brian Kwiatkowski and Jeff Tuohey, whoÕs in training, now have formed a certified paramedic department.

ÒThere isnÕt too much we canÕt do,Ó Maak said. ÒWe bring the ER to the patient instead of bringing the patient to the E.R.Ó

Maak, who became certified in 1999 and Kwiatkowski, who became certified in 2001, were both Medina firefighters who took it upon themselves to go through the necessary training to become paramedics.

First there was the EMT training. Ten years ago, Kwiatkowski said, thatÕs all Medina had, which meant as responders to an emergency situation, one could basically only take vital signs and apply bandages.

Six years ago the department went to intermediate, which meant Medina responders could administer IVs and do intubation, which involves a pipe administered through the trachea creating a seal for the lungs and protecting the airway from any fluids.

About a month ago the department started responding as paramedics, taking on about a fifth of the Rural Metro ambulances duties.

ÒWe do the best we can for the size that we are,Ó Maak said.

As certified paramedics, the department can do a lot more when responding to a call.

They can administer drugs and soon will even be able to administer narcotics to help with pain and seizures.

With the help of a state grant the department acquired two new defibrillators last year at a cost of $20,000 each. The machines are necessary for a person in cardiac arrest.

The sooner a person gets on a defibrillator, Kwiatkowski said, the better their chances.

ÒWhen it comes to a heart attack, itÕs golden minutes,Ó Kwiatkowski said.

The paramedics can perform cardioversion, a shock to slow the heart beat, or pacing, a shock to speed it up. The machines also has features to take oneÕs blood pressure and pulse.

Within the next three years, as certified paramedics, the department will be able to administer 12 lead ecocardiograms, which shows different views of the heart and then send the results to the hospital.

Basically, Maak said, paramedics are able to act as a doctor until the person gets to a hospital.

Maak said the men decided to get certified in order to be able to respond to more situations and help more people.

ÒWeÕre doing it for the betterment of the community,Ó Maak said. ÒItÕs where you make a difference.Ó

Firefighter Jeff Tuohey is at the intermediate level of training and will finish his year-long paramedic training in August. Like Maak and Kwiatkowski, he wants to reach the highest level of training to be able to help more people.

So whatÕs next for the paramedics?

The department has made clear to village government in the past their desire to be the main emergency responders unit, instead of the Rural Metro services.

It wouldnÕt take much to start up, Kwiatkowski said. Medina already has its own ambulances but more staff would have to be hired. Last year local paramedics made about $100,000 from their services, Kwiatkowski said.

If Medina were to become the main provider, a lot more money would come into the village.

ÒWeÕre local and weÕd like to keep the money staying local,Ó Maak said.

Maybe the extra money from the ambulance service would help keep the tax rate down, Kwiatkowski said.

The paramedic department will continue to try to become the primary provider for ambulance services.

Contact Kate Danna at (585) 798-1400, Ext. 2225.
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