Calls for emergency service are going up in the Holmen area, but staffing shortages at the fire department are impacting effective responses. First News at Nine’s Alex Loroff looks at a new partnership being formed to address the issue.
Rapid growth in the Holmen area may lead to some changes in emergency services. The Holmen Area Fire Department recently took part in a regional fire study.
The study found calls for service for Holmen Fire saw a 28% increase from 2016 to 2019.
The increase in calls has put a strain on Holmen’s staff, which is made up of five full-time and ten part-time firefighters.
“Fires demand a lot of personnel in a rapid fashion,” Holmen Village President and Fire Board member Patrick Barlow said. “What we’ve noticed over time is that in our ability to have a sufficient staffing response, we often struggle.”