VIDEO: The Portage Fire Department has found a potential solution to an immense staffing shortage in emergency medical services (EMS) thanks to a recent referendum in the community and a grant from the state. The department purchased two new ambulances to begin offering its own medical transport services in January 2025. The community long had its ambulance service provided by the local hospital, but that agreement is nearing its end. Portage Fire Chief Troy Haase told 27 News that the state’s EMS staffing shortage may hinder the transition. To avoid any problems in the transitions of service, the department is starting its staffing plans now. In a report released last year titled The Reliability of Wisconsin’s 911 Ambulance Response the Wisconsin office of rural health found 41 percent of EMS agencies reported staffing shortages that left them unable to respond to requests for an ambulance.