Information and rationale relating to the need for additional staffing for the Fort Atkinson Fire and Police departments, starting in 2023, was presented to city council members and the public Tuesday night.
The city is proposing to bring 911 ambulance service under the umbrella of the fire department, and as part of a public safety staffing proposal will be looking at an April 5, 2022 referendum question asking the electorate for approval to exceed the state levy limit for the purpose of adding 2 police officers, 6 firefighter/paramedics and 6 firefighter/EMTs and all necessary equipment to support those additions to allow those departments to meet the growing demand for their services. At Tuesday’s council meeting, Fort Atkinson Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said his department consists of four full-time employees the fire chief and 3 division chiefs and 41 paid-on-call volunteers who are paid to respond to calls from their work, home or family life.