Holmen Area Fire District Association board members say they recognize the Holmen Area Fire Department has some catching up to do. To adequately staff and equip the department to meet the demands of the district, fire board members say they realize funding for operations needs to increase by double digits. The fire board is made up of two representatives each from the towns of Holland and Onalaska and the village of Holmen. The fire district serves those three communities with fire protection and emergency medical services. “For the past 20 years, the department has been underfunded, under-led and, at times, under-trained,” district board president Steve Johnston said.