Liz Bourdeau says she feels nervous every time her husband, Endeavor/Moundville Fire Chief Mike Bourdeau, responds to an emergency call on a state highway.
“There’s nothing more dangerous than that,” Liz Bourdeau said of the dangers firefighters face. “This is our home. This is our family.”
Several state legislators, Department of Transportation officials and various authorities from Marquette and Sauk counties gathered at the Endeavor/Moundville fire station Wednesday night to discuss the issue of highway dangers. The group of public safety officials and lawmakers discussed distracted driving and whether tougher penalties are necessary to create incentives for drivers to slow down and reduce the risks for emergency workers.
“It’s unfortunate that we even have to have this discussion,” said state Rep. Jon Plumer, R-Lodi. “It’s a human life. Slow down. Move over.”
The dangers and fears of responding to calls on highways are felt every day for the small fire department in a district of about 400 people.