Signing the agreement at the conclusion of the joint Common Council and Whitewater Fire Dept., Inc. meeting – 1st row: City Clerk Michele Smith, City Manager Cameron Clapper, WFD Board President and Captain Christ Christon 2nd row: Councilmember James D. Allen, Councilmember Carol McCormick, Lieutenant Andrew Rowland, EMS Chief Ashley Vickers, Asst. Chief Joe Uselding, Councilmember Brienne Brown 3rd row: Council President Lisa Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Lukas Schreiber, Asst. Chief Ryan Dion, Lieutenant Justin Sachse, EMS Captain Jason Dean
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Capping off nearly a year of discussion and negotiation, the City of Whitewater Common Council on July 28 approved an agreement with Whitewater Fire Department, Inc. (WFD) which provides that fire and emergency medical services (EMS) will be furnished by a city department beginning on July 30. The department will also continue the contractual services that are provided to parts or all of the towns of Cold Spring, Johnstown, Koshkonong, Lima, Richmond, and Whitewater.
WFD has capably served the city since its founding in 1871, but, as has been the case with nearly all volunteer fire departments across the state, staffing challenges under the Paid-on-Call model made it increasingly difficult for the department to respond to increasing call volumes particularly for emergency medical services. As a result response times were sometimes extending, particularly when it was necessary to call on neighboring communities for mutual aid. Over the past year WFD migrated to a Paid-on-Premises (POP) model for EMS, where four positions are now staffed twenty-four hours a day, providing a two-ambulance response at all times. Recruitment is improved as reliable hours can be provided, and as a number of employees will become eligible for health and retirement benefits.
The part-time position of Department Chief has been established, with Kelly Freeman being appointed. A previous post lists the other individuals who have been appointed to the Command Staff. Current Chief Mike Higgins will remain with the department as a firefighter until he retires at the end of 2022. Nearly all WFD equipment and rolling stock will become property of the municipal department. The Transition Team will continue to serve in an advisory role until December 31, 2022, or until such time as it is deemed to no longer be necessary. WFD will continue to exist as a separate non-profit entity focusing primarily on fundraising and fellowship activities.
The substantial increase in fire and EMS staffing has resulted in nearly a doubling in projected expenses for 2022 compared with 2021. Consequently it will be necessary for the city to place a referendum on the November 8 ballot. Further information will be provided in a forthcoming post.
