Calling it the first in Dodge County, three fire departments have merged into one, addressing a problem facing many small-town stations.
The former Clyman, Lowell and Reeseville Fire Departments are together known as CLR Fire & Rescue. The merger on January 1 finalized the effort that stretched more than five years.
“We all operate as one, follow the same set of rules, and we all operate under one budget,” Chief Eric Howlett, who previously spearheaded the Clyman station, said.
“Nobody wanted to see your local fire department shut down when you got 420 years combined history between all three departments,” he said.