BELLEVILLE, Wis. — The Wisconsin EMS Association recently announced nearly a dozen awards for EMTs and paramedics across the state of Wisconsin.

Patrick McDonnell, a Belleville paramedic, was awarded the 2024 Paramedic of the Year award for his excellence in service.


What You Need To Know

  • A Belleville paramedic was awarded the 2024 Paramedic of the Year award for his excellence in service

  • Patrick McDonnell has been a paramedic for nearly 20 years 

  • McDonnell is a paramedic at Belleville Area EMS and is also currently serving or has served at the Town of Madison, Deer Grove, Monona, and Oregon.

  • McDonnell is typically more reserved, but he shines while helping others. He said it’s been an honor to be recognized for his work with this award

McDonnell has been a paramedic for nearly 20 years. He started his career in Ohio and moved to Wisconsin for a full-time job in computer programming. 

He said once he moved to Wisconsin, he wanted to continue his work as a paramedic. So he decided to become a volunteer as one at a handful of local departments.

In addition to serving as a volunteer paramedic at Belleville Area EMS, McDonnell is currently serving or has served at the Town of Madison, Deer Grove, Monona and Oregon. 

(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)

“It’s an interesting challenge,” McDonnell said. “In my day job, it’s a lot of time sitting at a desk in front of a computer. So, it’s kind of a nice way to pivot and exercise a different part of your brain working on the ambulance,”

McDonnell is typically more reserved, but he shines while helping others. He said it’s been an honor to be recognized for his work with this award.

“It’s very validating and really just very humbling,” he said. “I am here doing this because I discovered that I enjoy it. It’s never been the case where I’ve tried to search for glory or recognition. It’s just really been because I like the job. I like the people I work with. It’s really humbling for my co-workers to share that recognition with me.”

Debbie Bongard is an EMT at Belleville Area EMS and has worked alongside McDonnell for nearly a decade. She said he’s a leader at the department and it was no question to nominate him for his work.

(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)

“He does a lot of behind-the-scenes work,” Bongard said. “He’s a very quiet leadership guy. He never seeks out the spotlight. But he is always here doing whatever is needed for whoever. It’s very well deserved, and he is very well liked throughout the unit. He is a perfect addition for us.”

McDonnell said the best part of his job is not only helping people in need but also working alongside others at the department. 

“Part of what makes it so rewarding to work here is you are really working with awesome people, no matter what,” McDonnell said.