Geneva honors firefighter for basement rescue; chief outlines equipment, training and staffing needs

Fire Chief Arkenberg read a commendation the council said recognized a life saved after a Sept. 12, 2025 structure fire on Green Road, and presented a life‑saving award to a department member identified only as Alex. The chief said Geneva crews responded as part of an automatic‑aid call; members from Madison exited the structure because of heat, and Geneva firefighters reentered to remove a trapped victim. "A life was saved that day thanks to firefighter Pope's unwavering ability to put others above himself," Arkenberg said.

Arkenberg used the presentation to give a brief status update on apparatus and staffing. He reported the department’s primary rescue boat recently needed repair and that several engines (listed as 314, 311 and 316 in his remarks) are undergoing evaluations or repairs. He said the city is pooling regional resources to create a stronger water‑rescue team because Coast Guard coverage is limited over Geneva Lake.

The chief outlined near‑term training and equipment needs. He described new thermal imager models under consideration—"two models: $700 and $1,200–$1,300," he said—and estimated the department might purchase roughly 30 units depending on budget and donations. Arkenberg also described officer‑development and engineer‑driving programs intended to promote and prepare multiple lieutenants within five to seven months and to increase drivers’ exposure to complex routing situations tied to projects such as West Main Street reconstruction.

Arkenberg warned that hydrant maintenance and dry‑hydrant installations remain important for reliable water supplies; he noted past work (including a dry hydrant at Wever Creek Bridge) and said township partners have expressed renewed interest. He also reported new hires are in the pipeline and that the city manager has assisted with onboarding. "We will be promoting more officers," Arkenberg said, adding that daytime staffing remains a recruitment challenge because of applicants’ outside work schedules.

The presentation closed after several council members asked questions about equipment lifespans and costs. The chief said the department may revert to an earlier inspection software version temporarily because the vendor’s rollout has created inspection‑module issues. The council did not take action on equipment purchases at the meeting; Arkenberg said purchases and recruitment will be processed with city administration going forward.