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New Berlin fire chiefs outline rising call volume, training and prevention push
Summary
Fire Chief Mark Polzin and Division Chief Mark O'Connor told the Committee of the Whole that emergency medical calls make up roughly 74% of the department's workload, described steps to improve training and recordkeeping, and outlined new community risk reduction efforts including station open houses and a citizens academy.
Chief Mark Polzin, New Berlin fire chief, told the Committee of the Whole on April 22 that the fire department responded to 5,201 calls in 2024 and that 3,848 of those — about 74% — were emergency medical services calls.
Polzin said the department added a Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction and has refocused some roles (renaming the former assistant chief as battalion chief) to better reflect shift-command responsibilities. "Our mission is to provide exceptional services while building a safer community," he said.
The chief and Division Chief Mark O'Connor described operational pressures shared by many U.S. departments: rising call volume, turnover at entry level…
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