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, examine call volumes and equipment needs, and deliver a final report with "findings, recommendations, advantages, disadvantages, an implementation plan, and a budget." Romer also told the committee, "If we do not feel this is the right fit, we will tell you that."

The Wauwatosa Professional Firefighters Local 1923, represented by union president Jeff Detloff, said the union will engage with the process but warned of risks. "If any point becomes evident that this proposal threatens firefighter safety or compromises the level of service our community expects and deserves, we will not hesitate to voice our concerns," Detloff said, adding that attaining the state innovation grant the parties discussed would likely require a long‑term 10% budget reduction and could lead to job losses.

Committee members pressed the consultant on scope and deliverables. Several members asked whether the study could consider alternative partners beyond West Allis; Romer replied the study will include conversations with neighboring departments and can recommend other options. Members also requested that the report include multi‑year budget trajectories and a costs‑and‑benefits business case tailored to Wauwatosa; Romer said the firm will prepare implementation budgets and transition costs and that a realistic implementation window could be two to four years if consolidation were recommended.

Several alderpersons raised concerns about possible effects on response times, staffing and department culture. Alder Lowe cautioned against prematurely telling the public that response times would be affected, while others said failing to study options risks future budget shortfalls. Multiple speakers noted a possible state innovation grant as a material factor; committee members asked the consultant to include grant eligibility and timelines in its analysis.

Administrator Archambault confirmed the proposed $45,900 cost can be covered in part from funds budgeted for reviewing overtime and that the expense would not come from overtime currently used for staffing. The committee also discussed waiving the competitive bid requirement to contract directly with McMahon Associates, with several alderpersons expressing confidence in the firm’s local and national experience.

With the motion on the table to proceed with the study and to waive competitive bidding, the committee voted to approve the consultant contract and scope as presented. The chair clarified the vote "is just a study and to answer the questions that you have all raised here tonight," and not a decision to consolidate services.

What the study will produce, according to the consultant’s description and committee requests, is a documented assessment of current EMS and fire operations, staffing levels, station locations and coverage (via GIS analysis), equipment needs, multi‑year budget projections for both the status quo and any recommended shared‑service model, and an implementation plan with estimated transition costs and timelines. The consultant will also evaluate grant opportunities mentioned by aldermembers, including the state innovation grant discussed during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will execute an agreement with McMahon Associates, split the $45,900 cost with West Allis as described, and the consultant will begin the four‑month review. The committee and stakeholders, including the local union and elected officials, will be invited to participate in interviews and project‑team meetings; any recommendation to change service structure would return to the council for formal action.

Votes at a glance: Approval to hire McMahon Associates for a shared‑service study and to waive competitive bidding — passed 6–1. The motion’s mover and seconder were not specified on the record; the committee did not record individual member votes by name in the transcript.