Wauwatosa committee approves $45,900 shared‑service study of fire and EMS with West Allis

The Wauwatosa Government Affairs Committee voted 6–1 on March 4 to hire McMahon Associates to conduct a shared‑services study of fire and emergency medical services with the City of West Allis and to waive a separate competitive bid process.

The consultant proposal by McMahon Associates totals $45,900 and is to be split evenly with West Allis; the firm estimates the study will take about four months. Committee members and city staff emphasized the vote approves only a study and is not an endorsement of consolidation or merger of the two departments.

Alder Franzen, chairing the committee, opened the discussion by framing the item as a data‑gathering step: "This is not my endorsement of saying I think we should do it or we shouldn't do it. But like anything else, we need to make data‑informed decisions," Franzen said. Chief Case, representing Wauwatosa Fire Department, said the conversation began after West Allis approached Wauwatosa in mid‑December and noted shared‑service talks have occurred with other municipalities over the past decade.

Jeff Romer of McMahon Associates, the consultant recommended for the review, described the firm’s approach and experience. Romer said his team will "verify" documents and interviews, perform GIS station and response analysis,…