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Council signs on to regional fire and EMS feasibility study for $11,000
Summary
The committee authorized the city’s participation in a regional fire protection and EMS feasibility study, agreeing to share roughly $11,000 of the consultant cost; the study will analyze calls, staffing, budgets and response times and could inform future discussions about districting or staffing changes.
The Finance Personnel Committee approved resolution 2652900 May 4 to participate in a regional feasibility study and implementation planning process for shared fire protection and EMS.
City administrator Neil described a joint study involving about eight to ten southern Dane County jurisdictions—including Fitchburg, Oregon, Stoughton, Verona, McFarland, Brooklyn and Cottage Grove—that will analyze calls for service, operational service levels, budgets, equipment needs, projected growth, facility needs, shared services and response times. Neil said the city’s lump-sum cost for participation is $11,000; he contrasted that with an estimated $30,000–$50,000 cost if the city conducted the study alone.
The administration said the study was initiated at the request of neighboring jurisdictions and the local fire chiefs, and that consultant McMillan is under contract to perform the analysis. Neil emphasized participation commits the city only to data collection and analysis; any change—such as forming a fire district or altering local staffing—would require subsequent public debate and formal council action.
A motion to authorize the city’s participation and funding for the study carried by voice vote.
