Wis. village closer to finalizing own fire department

Big Bend so far has hired 25 firefighters and aims to hire a chief by the end of August

July 29, 2010 05:11 AM

By Amy Nixon
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

BIG BEND, Wis. — “We have a deadline that we’re committed to,” said Big Bend Fire Department Exploratory spokesman and Village President James Soneberg. “And we’re holding to the policy that the Village is moving forward with its own fire department.”

The exploratory committee met with the Village Board at a special joint meeting last Thursday. The committee updated the village on its progress and also presented a first draft of a fire department ordinance.

Soneberg said that the committee interviewed six applicants for firefighters on Saturday. All were hired, bringing the total hires for firefighters to 25, he said.

The committee will be taking applications for fire chief through the end of this week.

“We hope to have someone (hired as chief) by the end of August,” said committee chairman Andy Hemken.

Once the applications have been submitted, it will be up to the police and fire commission to take over the hiring process, Soneberg said.

Soneberg presented a first draft of a fire department ordinance to the board. Both the board and the committee will have some time to review the ordinance and make suggestions before the ordinance is finalized. Soneberg said he hoped to have the final draft by Sept. 1.

Hemken has been working on establishing the department’s rules and regulations.

The Big Bend/Vernon Fire Department’s rules and regulations have been a source of contention in the past and the village department will be starting fresh with its own rules and regulations.

Hemken said he hopes to have them completed by the end of August.

“Everyone now is pumped - our committee, the village board and all of our firefighters and EMTs,” Hemken said.

The committee will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9.

The Vernon Town Board has been waiting to get its consultant report back before continuing further discussions with the Village of Big Bend regarding a joint department. Town Chairman Fred Michalek said he expected the report by the end of the week or the beginning of next week.