MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU) — Marshfield’s Common Council has approved the addition of three ‘firefighter/paramedic’ positions to the city’s emergency response staff, and Fire Chief Scott Owen says they’ll be a big asset to a department that’s typically been under-staffed.
Owen explained that, “Right now our shifts are comprised of eleven individuals, and our minimum manning is either eight or nine.”
Those new hires will be paid for through ambulance contracts the city has with a number of nearby municipalities, and not with taxpayer dollars. According to Owen, “The funding for the entire ambulance division comes out of the EMS Enterprise Fund. There are no tax dollars used at all.”
Besides contracts to serve 13 surrounding townships and villages, Marshfield Fire and Rescue also currently provides ambulance services for Marshfield Clinic.
The addition of those new EMS positions was approved by the city’s Common Council by a vote of 10 to 0.
