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Portage County public safety update: emergency plans, EMS training, jail inspection and staffing
Summary
Committee received updates on county emergency preparedness and hazmat planning, EMS training and kit distribution to schools, a clean jail inspection report, patrol and communications staffing, and a canine unit donation and surgery schedule.
Portage County public safety staff gave routine operational updates to the Public Safety Committee, including emergency management planning, EMS training and school equipment distribution, a favorable jail inspection report, and staffing news across patrol and communications.
The county's emergency management office said it is finalizing an integrated preparedness plan, completing a countywide hazardous‑materials plan to meet grant requirements, and working with towns along the Wisconsin River to map flood risks and evacuation locations.
"We've been finalizing the integrated preparedness plan," the emergency management director said, and staff reported participation in recent unified‑command exercises and meetings with local associations and the university on campus flooding.
Emergency medical services staff said they will reapply for the Funding Assistance Program in September after receiving about $130,000 from that source last year and that they "anticipate that we will get less this year just as more people apply for it." Staff described Stop the Bleed training delivered to roughly 50 people and distribution plans for Stop the Bleed kits to Amherst Charter School, Almond Bancroft School, Rosholt Schools and Grant Elementary, with outreach to private schools and Stevens Point district schools still pending.
The jail captain reported staffing remains steady despite some employees on FMLA or light duty, and said state inspectors reported no violations of administrative code following the July 24 inspection of the jail and juvenile detention center.
Operations staff said two deputies recently completed initial training and began solo patrol, and two communications technicians began training in late July and August.
The sheriff reported fundraising highlights from a 'Guns and Hoses' event and that Pure Clean donated $3,000 to support the county's canine unit. He also said one canine will be out of service for about six to eight weeks for ACL repair and will require physical therapy.
No formal committee action was taken on operational items; the committee approved routine minutes and set its next meeting for Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 8 a.m.
