Staffing levels are making it nearly impossible for Wisconsin Rapids firefighters to provide the level of service they pride themselves on offering residents, according to department leaders who are seeking approval to hire more.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends departments have 1.81 firefighters on duty for every 1,000 people served. The ratio for Wisconsin Rapids firefighters is less than half that at 0.81 for every 1,000 residents. Meanwhile, while staffing has stayed about the same over the past 30 years, an aging population has led to a nearly fivefold increase in service calls, from about 1,000 a year in 1991 to 4,600 in 2021.
Wisconsin Rapids Fire Chief Todd asked the city council's Human Resources Committee Tuesday to approve six additional firefighters.