Hartland Fire Department reports 1,167 calls in 2024; department details staffing, training and revenue trends

The Heartland Fire Department presented its 2024 annual report to the Village of Hartland board, summarizing calls for service, ambulance billing revenues, staffing, training and community outreach.

Why it matters: The report shows steady growth in call volume, identifies revenue and billing challenges in ambulance service, highlights workforce and training investments, and outlines equipment and facility needs that may affect future budgets and capital planning.

Key takeaways from the report - Call volume: The department answered 1,167 calls for service in 2024; monthly call volumes have trended upward since 2012 and the last four years have exceeded 1,000 calls annually. - Ambulance billing and revenue: Gross ambulance charges for 2024 totaled $1,042,094.20; after contractual adjustments the net charges were about $626,001.13, and the department had collected approximately $324,729 as of the meeting date. Staff said Medicare and Medicaid together make up roughly 72% of the payer mix and pay substantially less than billed amounts, complicating revenue collection. - Staffing and training: The department reported 64 personnel positions and described a mix of full‑time, part‑time and dual‑certified firefighter/paramedics. The department swore in new full‑time staff and promoted a lieutenant during the year. The department also runs a joint Explorer program with Merton for high school students interested in the fire service and conducts extensive community education (school programs, CPR classes, fire prevention activities). - Equipment and facilities: The department took delivery of an incident‑command vehicle in 2024 (funded by village and firefighters association fundraising), completed a live burn training exercise and acquired a new pancake griddle and other equipment. The chief reiterated station age (original 1964 building with later additions) and said space needs and long‑term station planning remain topics for the village.

Financial context and next steps: Fire department staff explained billing timelines (average days to bill 71 days) and that collection efforts are ongoing; staff are working with the state and billing company to pursue additional Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements. The department also described revenue tied to community events and standby services, and noted the state’s 2% dues program that supports fire services based on documented prevention and education activity.

Speakers - Fire chief (presenter) — summarized calls, billing, staffing, training and equipment; unnamed in the transcript but identified in meeting as department chief.

Authorities - other — "State 2% dues program for fire departments (reimbursement tied to inspections, education, events)" — referenced_by:["annual report financial summary"]

Clarifying_details - {"category":"call_volume","detail":"Total calls for service in 2024","value":1167,"units":"calls","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Fire chief"} - {"category":"billing_gross","detail":"Ambulance gross charges 2024","value":1042094.20,"units":"USD","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Fire chief"} - {"category":"billing_collected","detail":"Revenue received as of meeting date","value":324729.00,"units":"USD","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Fire chief"}

Proper_names:[{"name":"Heartland Fire Department","type":"agency"},{"name":"Western Lakes Fire District","type":"agency"},{"name":"Village of Merton Fire Department","type":"agency"}],

Community_relevance:{"geographies":["Village of Hartland","Town of Merton"],"funding_sources":["Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements","event standby fees","2% state dues"],"impact_groups":["patients served by ambulance","event organizers","residents receiving fire prevention education"]},

meeting_context:{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":1,"duration_minutes":40,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"low","history":[{"date":"2012","note":"Call volumes have trended upward since 2012; the department expanded EMS services over time."}]},

searchable_tags:["fire department","ambulance billing","annual report","calls for service","EMS"],

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"s_6475.885","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"20 24, the Heartland Fire Department answered 11 67 calls for service...","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"s_7441.58","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"Live fire training began...Instructors on the day of the training were from the City of Brookfield Fire Department, Western Lakes Fire District, and the Heartland Fire Department.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]},

salience:{"overall":0.69,"overall_justification":"Operational metrics, staffing and ambulance revenue affect public safety and municipal budgets.","impact_scope":"local","impact_scope_justification":"Directly affects emergency services for Hartland and mutual‑aid partners.","attention_level":"medium","attention_level_justification":"Residents track response times and department readiness; budgetary implications noted.","novelty":0.30,"novelty_justification":"Annual report content expected but includes specific billing numbers and new equipment.