Wisconsin News
CHANGE STATE

Monday, April 29, 2024

Madison crews respond to deck failure, downed power lines, flipped car at Mifflin Street Block party


VIDEO: Mifflin Street EMS teams were dispatched to 14 medical emergencies, a deck failure and a downed power line on Mifflin Street, Madison Fire Department said Saturday evening. Eleven of the 14 medical emergencies resulted in someone being taken to the hospital. At about 2:35 p.m., MFD crews responded to 527 W. Mifflin Street for a deck failure on a first-floor porch. The floorboards broke under the weight of the occupants, though the exact number of people that were on the porch is unknown. Officials did not report any injuries. A member of the MFD Heavy Urban Rescue Team examined the damage and determined there was not a risk of structural collapse, though all occupants on first- and second-floor decks were asked to evacuate. The property was cordoned off for safety.
WMTV NBC/CW 15 Madison

Wisconsin Fallen Firefighters Honored


The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (Memorial Weekend) on May 4-5, 2024 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Wisconsin firefighters: Fire Chief Raymond “Ray” Samson, age 55, of the Dale Fire and Rescue, died 01/22/2022 due to the complications of COVID-19 Firefighter Frank Sanchez Jr., age 61, of the Nekimi Volunteer Fire Department, died on 5/26/2021 due to complications of COVID-19. Fire Chief Stephen Smith, age 54, of the Vandenbroek-Kaukauna Fire Department, died on 12/20/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
The 715 Newsroom

Third Milwaukee County Transit System bus damaged in just over a week


VIDEO: Sunday morning, Brenda Watson boarded a Milwaukee County Transit System bus near 16th and Wisconsin, on her way to church. It's a public mode of transportation she relies on every day now that she no longer drives. But recently, Watson and other riders have grown concerned about the safety and reliability of the bus service. Saturday, a dramatic cell phone video shows an MCTS bus engulfed in flames near 68th and Congress. MCTS says a mechanical issue caused the fire and no one was injured. The damage comes just over a week after two other county buses were totaled, both struck by reckless drivers just 48 hours apart, killing two people and injuring more than a dozen others. "What's happening to our busses and what's happening to our community and to our bus operators is just not acceptable anymore," Denise Wandke, MCTS President and Managing Director said Wednesday during a news conference.
WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

Residential fire damages building in downtown Appleton


The Appleton Fire Department is reminding building owners to have their sprinkler and fire alarm systems properly serviced and maintained following a fire on the 100 block of College Avenue Friday night. Firefighters were dispatched around 10:30 p.m. for an active fire alarm. Crews arrived on the scene and were faced with heavy smoke and limited visibility. With the help of the building’s sprinkler system controlling the flames, crews were able to put out the remainder of the fire within five minutes. Appleton Fire Department credits a properly working sprinkler system for being the key to limiting fire damage. Damage to the building and contents is estimated to be $35,000. The Appleton Fire Department was assisted by the Appleton Police Department and Gold Cross Ambulance. Firefighters are working to determine a cause.
WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay


Friday, April 26, 2024

Madison Fire Department: Lake Rescue Team responds to person yelling for help in Lake Mendota


The Madison Fire Department Lake Rescue Team responded early Friday morning after it was reported a person was yelling for help in Lake Mendota. At about 4:30 a.m., MFD officials were dispatched to the 100 block of Iota Court after 911 callers reported someone yelling for help in the water. According to MFD, witnesses said the voice came from behind a property on Iota Court. The rescue team was able to enter the lake, locate the person and bring them to shore. MFD says paramedics began lifesaving measures. The person was taken into the ambulance and transported to UW Hospital. Public Information Officer Cynthia Schuster told WMTV 15 News that those lifesaving measures continued while the patient was in the ambulance and after they were transported to the emergency room. The patient’s current condition is unknown.
WMTV NBC/CW 15 Madison

Cedarburg Fire Chief Vahsholtz receives leadership award


Members of the Cedarburg Fire Department recently surprised Chief Jeff Vahsholtz with a leadership award. The department held its annual awards banquet April 13 at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, where Vahsholtz served as the host, handing out service awards, special recognition awards, responder of the year awards, a very special lifesaving award and an oath of office pinning ceremony for members coming off their one-year probation to get their badges. There was one surprise award that Chief Vahsholtz knew nothing about until retired Cedarburg Fire Chief Rich VanDinter stepped up to the podium. VanDinter began with these words: "Tonight, I’m honored to represent the Fire Department to recognize Chief Jeff Vahsholtz for his leadership over the last 10 years," VanDinter said.
Greater Milwaukee Today - Metered Site

Construction continues at La Crosse Fire Station 4


VIDEO/PHOTOS: It is out with the old and in with the new on La Crosse’s North Side. Construction continues at La Crosse Fire Station Number 4. The project, costing around $8 million according to La Crosse Fire Chief Jeff Schott provides much needed upgrades compared to the current one. “When they had initially built the fire station, the trucks were small and the resources were such they could cram two trucks in their garage,” Chief Schott said. “We can’t do that in this day and age.” The old station is a single engine house built in 1940 and doesn’t offer simple amenities. “Bathrooms just basic showers and bathrooms and a living area was pretty antiquated and not gender neutral equality that we need,” Chief Schott said. “Literally one shower for all the individuals working there is not adequate.” The new station has it all in mind and then some.
WXOW-TV ABC 19 La Crosse

New hiring process gets Waukesha military member working as a firefighter faster


VIDEO: The Waukesha Fire Department is working on a new concept: that they are always hiring. This move comes as the fire department looks to stay ahead of worker shortage. TMJ4 News met Waukesha Assistant Chief Joe Hoffman at the Let’s Talk Waukesha. It was an event put on by TMJ4 to let you tell us what’s important in the community and what we should be covering. Hoffman wanted us to know about the open hiring process in the city. “The competition is very steep right now. Most departments are hiring a lot of people,” said Hoffman. He invited me to Station One, in the heart of downtown Waukesha to show us what they are doing differently. In the past, Hoffman says people could apply to be a firefighter twice a year and then they were put on lists and waited to be called for an open job.
WTMJ-TV NBC 4 Milwaukee







FREE QUICK SUBSCRIBE
Sign up to subscribe to custom state Daily Dispatch emails for free

click to subscribe