A growing call load coupled with lagging recruitment could be a recipe for disaster for Wisconsin fire and emergency medical service agencies, according to a study conducted by the Wisconsin Policy Forum

“Unless they are appropriately addressed, fire and EMS financial and staffing challenges may soon have a real impact on public safety,” the report says.

Grafton fire chief William Rice said Ozaukee County is no stranger to these issues. Both locally and nationally, fire departments have seen a growing need for ambulances for years, Rice said. But unlike larger, more urban communities like the City of Milwaukee, most don’t have the staff or funding to meet these demands… READ MORE