Wausau Fire Department Engine 1. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau Fire Chief Bob Barteck is scheduled to go before the city’s Public Health and Safety Committee to ask for nine additional firefighter/paramedic positions in his department is prepared to close out one of its busiest years ever.
According to a memo included in Monday’s agenda packet, the department has seen a 200% growth in calls for service since 1970 and has added just one full-time firefighter/paramedic during that same time. Barteck adds that the department has also taken on added responsibilities such as HAZMAT response, water and ice rescue, and fire prevention and code enforcement duties.
While the department has gotten creative and flexible with a cross-staffing method to help meet demands, there have also been times when a single incident can leave the department scrambling to stack calls or rely on mutual aid from another department.
Barteck notes that stacking calls can leave residents waiting for service.
The report from Barteck adds that the department is on track to respond to over 6,500 calls for service which would be an all-time high.
The cost of adding nine firefighters would come out to over $907,000 including salary, benefits, and gear. Barteck notes that adding slots would also decrease the amount of overtime paid out in some cases, but that’s difficult to estimate. It would also allow the department to better accommodate vacation requests and sick leave.
Tonight’s discussion is set for 5:15 at City Hall.
Comments