The Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services in Baraboo plan to consolidate so they can hire more long-term employees and respond quicker to emergencies. “As we continue to face staff shortages and struggles we’re looking for ways to see how we can improve that situation ultimately,” Baraboo District EMS Director Caleb Johnson said. He and Baraboo Fire Department Chief Kevin Stieve said a consolidation would make their training serve a dual purpose. Firefighters could also train as EMTs and then they would be qualified to respond to multiple types of emergencies-- faster. “It would offer a quicker response that you would have a fire or EMS trained individual to address the emergency,” Johnson said. Both Johnson and Chief Stieve said they need a new facility.