By Stefanie Scott
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE — On a typical day, Wauwatosa paramedics rush people in West Allis and Milwaukee to the hospital. When a house fire breaks out in Wauwatosa, Elm Grove provides backup. And when a catastrophe like this summer’s fire at the Patrick Cudahy plant occurs, Wauwatosa and just about every other fire department in southeastern Wisconsin send help.
From training sessions to emergency response and rescue calls, fire departments in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties are working together to increase the level of service residents receive and to share resources. As budgets get tighter, the concept becomes an even more attractive solution, Wauwatosa fire officials said.
The Common Council in November approved hiring consultants from International City/County Management Association to review department operations and look for efficiencies, but some fire officials said the money might be better spent investigating additional opportunities to partner with other communities.
Benefits possible
The study may be able to touch on both areas. In reviews of other fire departments, shared services have been recommended, ICMA spokesman Michele Frisby said.
“Shared services would be one of many options that would be considered,” Frisby said.
Partnering with other departments can cut costs, improve safety and increase knowledge, Wauwatosa fire officials said.
For instance, if neighboring municipalities consolidate fire services they likely would be able to buy fewer ladder or pumper trucks, both expensive vehicles, Wauwatosa Deputy Chief Bill Rice said. Bulk supply purchases also could provide savings.
There also could be a reduction in the number of higher-paid management positions in any one department.
Within Milwaukee County there are 10 training officers. If all of the training operations were combined, one chief training officer and a few lower-level trainers would probably be sufficient to handle the workload, Rice said.
“Those (eliminated training officer) positions could go to putting people in the field so service would be improved to residents,” he said.
Service biggest concern
While cost savings often are a driving factor politically, the enhancement of services should count as the biggest reason for pursuing more joint services, fire officials said.
By adopting the same policies, procedures and equipment, every firefighter is on the same page when it comes to emergency response regardless of where in the region the emergency is, Wauwatosa Deputy Chief Scott Erke said.
MABAS Division 107 received a grant this year that allowed the 11 Milwaukee County fire departments that comprise the mutual aid group to purchase the same equipment and undergo training together. On their own, none of the departments would have gotten the money, Erke said.
As far as safety goes, fire departments have implemented Rapid Intervention Teams. On any fire call, one engine company is responsible only for firefighter safety and rescue duties. So if a firefighter gets trapped in a burning building, the team can respond while others continue to fight the fire, Erke said. Often, Elm Grove provides the team at a Wauwatosa fire.
Controversy often occurs
Fire Chief Dean Redman calls existing service relationships with other departments an “informal” way of trying to accomplish partnerships in the wake of failed attempts at more formal arrangements.
The department tried seven years ago to combine with the town and city of Brookfield, Butler and Elm Grove, but the effort was quashed. He said Wauwatosa city officials were supportive, but other communities weren’t as accepting.
It’s not unusual for talk of consolidation to create contention, Redman said.
Redman said Wauwatosa is not involved in any consolidation talks at this point, but he would not be surprised if the department receives proposals from other communities in the future.
AT A GLANCE
The following are three examples of joint services in which the Wauwatosa Fire Department is involved:
PARAMEDICS: Wauwatosa participates in Milwaukee County’s paramedic program. Training, supplies and the medical director’s salary are paid for by the county, while fire departments provide the staffing and vehicles. The program has not only saved hundreds of thousands in operating costs but it has meant significantly more revenue, Deputy Chief Jim Case said. When Wauwatosa ambulances are already on a call, paramedic teams from elsewhere in the county will respond to emergencies within the city. “The continuity of care is excellent,” Case said.
TECHNICAL TRAINING: While emergency medical service and fire response make up nearly all the Fire Department’s calls, there are times when other emergencies occur and firefighters have to be ready to respond, Deputy Chief Scott Erke said. Technical rescue teams have been formed to handle incidents that involve high angles and rope usage, trenches, swift water or confined spaces. Earlier this year, a few people from each of the 11 MABAS Division 107 departments and the city of Racine came together to learn trench rescue techniques from a specialist. Those people in turn will teach the skills to the other firefighters in their departments. If such an emergency happened, each department could send a few firefighters and still have enough personnel to continue responding to local service calls.
FIRE INVESTIGATION: A regional Fire Investigation Task Force is forming to handle large or complex fires. By having a team of experts, duties can be divvied up and accomplished more efficiently. For example, one person can handle scene preservation, while another takes photographs or collects evidence, Assistant Chief Mike Carberry said. The team also provides ample opportunity for training by bringing together veteran fire investigators with newer hires who are interested in learning the science.
Copyright 2009 Journal Sentinel Inc.