The Importance of Volunteer Fire Departments
Roughly 92% of Wisconsin fire departments are volunteer or mostly volunteer. Wisconsin is facing increasing shortages in volunteers to staff these important departments that serve Wisconsinites.
Current Problems
- Wisconsin is currently experiencing shortages in volunteer firefighters. These shortages cause serious problems and concerns in regards to safety.
- Rural areas are primarily served by volunteer fire departments. Shortages in volunteers can cause delayed responses to emergencies.
- Volunteer departments are becoming more worried that they will be unable to provide adequate staff to respond to calls in the future.
Update on Legislation
- I authored AB 187 to help support volunteer firefighters and encourage individuals to volunteer by providing payment for trainings.
- AB 187 expands a current program to provide grants to volunteer fire departments and volunteer fire companies. This grant will help provide financial coverage for training to be given to individual firefighters. To be eligible municipalities must provide a 100 percent match of funds to the firefighters. Any funds provided through the grant and not used must be returned to the Department of Administration (DOA) to be put in the general fund.
- AB 187 was passed by the Assembly in June. The bill must now go to the Senate.
Future legislation
- Over the summer, I met with the Firefighters Association about how we can help support volunteer fire departments and prevent continued shortages.
- One potential idea for legislation is to make licenses transferable over state lines. Right now, firefighters who move here from Illinois don’t have their licenses recognized by the state of Wisconsin, while firefighters who move here from Minnesota do.
- This potential legislation would help with shortages by encouraging those who were firefighters in other states to continue service when they move to Wisconsin.
Articles about Volunteer Fire
You can read WPR’s Article about firefighter shortages here.
You can read the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health survey of Wisconsin fire departments here.
First Responder Recognition
I am now accepting nominations to honor a First Responder from Assembly District 2 at the Capital on October 14th.
If you know a deserving First Responder from Assembly District 2 please nominate them by filling out the form, which can be found here, and emailing it to my office. Nominations must be received by September 19th.
In-District Events
Saturday, August 30, Brat Fry Supporting Veterans and First Responders at Kimps ACE Hardware, Wrightstown from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, August 31, Bluegrass Under the Pines at Kronforest Farms, Mishicot from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information can be found here.
Saturday, September 6, Fire Fest at 8123 Dickinson Rd, Wayside from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. More information can be found here.
Saturday, September 6, 14th Annual Fireman’s Fall Festival at the Tisch Mills Fire Department, Kewaunee starting at 1 p.m.
Friday, September 12, Benefit Haystack Supper for Reedsville Amish School at 16814 Long Road, Reedsville from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
