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DPW, fire and police give year-start updates: DPW hiring, tree removals; fire call volume up; EMS protocol transition; new officers and drone unit for PD
Summary
Public Works, Fire and Police departments reported operational updates including hiring plans, a planned tree removal, record fire call volume, an EMS protocol transition and new police equipment and personnel.
Multiple department reports gave operational updates at the Jan. 13 Village of Hartland meeting.
Public Works: Staff said DPW is recruiting summer help (starting pay $16/hour; minimum age 18 and must be able to drive), continues buckthorn removal at Cottonwood Wayside and plans controlled burns of brush piles with the fire department when conditions allow. Staff also announced removal of a declining 43-inch burr oak at Nixon Park after an arborist assessment recommended removal; staff said the tree has become a hazard during large events.
Fire Department: The fire chief reported a record number of calls last year—1,167—surpassing prior totals. December was the busiest month on record with 126 calls. The department has extended conditional offers to three firefighter medics who are now in the academy; their first shifts were expected to start in early February with a swearing-in planned for the next board meeting. The chief noted recognition letters from U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald for three firefighters involved in a September 12 rescue.
EMS protocols: The department transitioned Jan. 1 from locally written protocols to a county-based protocol system (ProHealth) reviewed by multiple medical directors. Staff said the new protocols are app-based, updated in real time, used across regional departments and align training used in college programs; the transition required minimal scope-of-practice changes.
Police Department: The police chief reported the first day of service for Officer Nick Hendrickson (transferred from Waukesha PD with 15 years’ experience) and that background checks are underway for a second hire to replace an officer departing later in January. The department is equipping squads with new laptops, completed a transition to Taser 10 devices and has deployed a drone unit with policy finalization underway.
Trustees thanked DPW for recent accomplishments and awards, including a Chamber of Commerce recognition related to the village’s “Wall of Heals” participation.
