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West Bend grants $60,000 county radio funds for emergency vehicles; mayor proclaims EMS Week as calls rise
Summary
The finance committee and council accepted a $60,000 Washington County Municipal Radio Grant for radios to be installed in a new fire command vehicle and a future engine. The mayor proclaimed Emergency Medical Services Week and city fire officials said EMS calls remain the largest share of the department’s workload.
The West Bend finance committee and common council accepted $60,000 from the Washington County Municipal Radio Grant Program to outfit radios in a new command truck arriving in June and in a new engine expected in March 2026.
At the June 2 finance committee meeting, Fire Chief Norrin said the grant funds are designated for radios for a command truck that the department will receive this year and for a new engine slated for early 2026. “The grant request is for $60,000 from the county radio grant program,” Chief Norrin said while presenting the resolution; the committee approved the resolution by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Separately at the common council meeting, Mayor Joel Longert read a proclamation declaring Emergency Medical Services Week and urged residents to recognize EMS personnel. The proclamation noted the West Bend Fire Department responded to 3,977 EMS calls in 2024.
In remarks following the proclamation, the fire chief told the council EMS work constitutes the bulk of the department’s day‑to‑day operations, saying it “counts for almost 85% of our daily call volume.” The chief also said the department expects EMS call volume to rise and anticipates the number could crest 4,500 this year. The department serves West Bend and surrounding communities, including the village of Kewoskem and the towns of West Bend, Wayne, Barton, Kewoskem and Fillmore, the chief said.
The council approved the grant acceptance and proclamation on routine voice votes. Officials said the radio equipment will be installed on the new command vehicle and integrated into department communications as it arrives; the engine procurement schedule remains subject to procurement and delivery timelines.
