PORT EDWARDS, Wis. — The Port Edwards Fire Department is making a comeback less than a year after mass resignations threw it into crisis, the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune reported.
To boost membership, new Fire Chief Dustin Lease introduced a first responders-only program, allowing individuals to serve exclusively in EMS without firefighter training.
Since most of the department’s calls are for ambulance services, Lease said it makes sense to welcome volunteers who are solely interested in the medical side of operations.
Less than a year ago, Port Edwards residents were uncertain about the future of their fire department after 11 members, including the fire chief, resigned due to conflicts with the Village Board.
Approximately eight months after the Port Edwards Police and Fire Commission appointed Lease as chief, the department has expanded from nine to 22 members.
Beyond recruitment, Lease has prioritized shifting the culture within the Port Edwards Fire Department, aiming to make it more inclusive and community-focused. Traditionally seen as a men’s club, he envisions a more family-friendly environment where members actively engage with the community.
To foster interest among young people, Lease plans to establish a public service club in Port Edwards schools and launch a cadet program at the fire department in partnership with John Edwards High School. Through these initiatives, he hopes to inspire high school students to consider volunteering with their local fire department.
resilience and decision-making when critical infrastructure fails
