Western Lakes Fire District — Lake Country’s newest and one of its largest consolidated fire and emergency medical response departments — will begin operations March 2. However, Ottawa, Oconomowoc, Summit and Dousman — the four presumed "owners" of the new, consolidated department — are already reaping the benefits of the consolidation of the Dousman Fire District and Oconomowoc Fire Department, according to Ottawa Town Chairman Richard Arrowood. Ottawa became the third municipality to approve the consolidation agreement during a special meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Final approval is expected Monday, Feb. 13, when the Dousman Village Board meets. Arrowood explained to town supervisors that on Wednesday morning he was traveling north on Highway 67 when he encountered emergency vehicles from Oconomowoc racing south toward Ottawa and Dousman. Arrowood later learned they were en route to a house fire on Highway Z.