• Undoubtedly, staffing has been the biggest hurdle facing the fire department over the last few years. With increasing call volumes, declining volunteerism, and the rigorous demand of EMS education, recruiting and retaining qualified personnel has been difficult. As a result, there were extended periods of time in which the city was left without ambulance coverage. The department had two budgeted, but vacant, full-time positions. With the EMS grant opportunity offered by Ozaukee County, the city had the ability to hire two more full-time employees. In January of 2023, the department was fortunate enough to fill all four positions from within its ranks. Four part-time employees transitioned into full-time roles. Two of which had just completed their paramedic education. A newly created full-time Deputy Chief position was added to help oversee EMS operations and assist Chief Mitchell with administrative tasks. The new full-time personnel have added stability to the schedule and brought a sense of excitement and professionalism to the firehouse.
• A quick response by trained EMS personnel is vital to that patient's pre-hospital outcome. In 2022, the department took steps to aggressively lower its EMS response times. In 2023, the department updated its operation guidelines and call response algorithm, the department improved EMS response times from the "time of dispatch" to "arriving on scene" by almost 20 percent.

• Last year, the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services awarded "Flex Grants" to EMS services as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The department was awarded $52,645. With this funding, the department was able to purchase both a LUCAS Chest Compression System and a Butterfly Portable Ultrasound. The LUCAS Chest Compression System provides high-quality mechanical CPR when a patient is in cardiac arrest. Mechanical compression devices, such as the LUCAS, have significantly improved both the quality and consistency of compressions compared to traditional CPR. Better CPR undoubtedly results in improved neurologic outcomes and overall patient survivability rates. Mechanical compression devices have not only increased patient survival rates but have also shown significant safety benefits for first responders. With limited staffing, these devices function as a "force multiplier" for those providing care. Often operating with only one paramedic, the LUCAS would allow that single paramedic to focus on other critical tasks that are often delayed in favor of CPR. Point-of-care ultrasound is truly the first portable diagnostic tool that has given EMS providers a chance to "look inside" their patients to obtain immediate anatomical, diagnostic, and functional information. These devices have been used in two successful resuscitations since their arrival in late spring.

• In 2023, the fire department reevaluated its fleet of apparatus to ensure that it truly met the ongoing operational needs of the department. After a thorough assessment, it was found that the maintenance and repair costs of both Engine 462 and Ambulance 450 outweighed their limited use in emergency responses. Engine 462, a 1992 Pierce Dash, served as the department's first-due engine for over a decade. In 2005, it moved into reserve status with the purchase of Engine 465.Purchased by the non-profit Firefighters Crossing Borders, Engine 462 now sees frontline service with the Cuautepec de Hinojosa Fire Department in Mexico.

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• Increase the net gain in Paid-On-Call Fire Department membership.
• Respond to at least 90 percent of EMS calls for service.
• Compete fire inspections on all 627 inspectable properties.
• Development of a Surface Water Rescue Team.
• Development of an Unmanned Aircraft System Program.

2023 Fire Department Annual Report

2022 Fire Department Annual Report

2019 Fire Department Annual Report

2018 Fire Department Annual Report