WHITING, Wis (WSAU) The Village of Whiting will shut down its fire department in 2013. The village board instead will contract out fire protection with Plover.

Village board members say the volunteer fire department cost the village at least $100,000 a year. Expenses would be higher in 2013, because a new chief would need to be hired. The contact with Plover will save at least $20,000.

The Plover Fire Department will use the Whiting Fire Station as a second location. The village would continue to own its own fire equipment.

The Village of Plover already handles fire protection for Buena Vista and the Town of Plover.