By Amy Nixon
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
VERNON, Wis. — The Vernon Town Board is considering a proposal from McGrath Consulting Group Inc. to evaluate the Big Bend-Vernon Fire Department and to present recommendations for a future department.
“We’re in the process of dissolving what is the BBVFD,” said Town Chairman Fred Michalek at a special Town Board meeting Jan. 12. “By Jan. 1, 2011, we will need a new department in place. Talking with a consultant would be a practical way to go.”
Town Board members met with Tim McGrath, a retired fire chief who has been in the consulting business since 1995, and his lead consultant, Robert Stedman, a retired chief with 30 years’ experience in fire and emergency medical services. If the town hires McGrath Consulting, it would evaluate the current structure of the department, the current fire and EMS services, staffing and emergency operations and make recommendations for a new department; it would also meet with staff and current Fire Department members to develop suggestions for the future department, as well as assess and appraise equipment.
“You want to maintain a full level of service and move forward,” said McGrath. “We’ll spend time talking with each of you as individuals to see what your expectations are.”
New Fire Commission
Although the Town Board recently appointed three new members were to the BBV Fire Board, Michalek explained that the goal was to eventually move from having both a fire board and a fire commission to just having a fire commission.
Michalek expressed concern about the current fire board, made up of three Big Bend residents and five town residents.
“Separations like this are not always easy,” he said. “I’m extremely concerned about your (McGrath Consulting) ability to go about and do what you need to do.”
Michalek also was concerned about information from the town’s study being shared with Big Bend.
McGrath assured him that they should not have a problem uncovering information, and said they would turn to the Freedom of Information Act if necessary.
McGrath also urged the board to look forward instead of backward.
“We need to concentrate not on what was, but what will be. Our job is not to go back and regurgitate the past,” he said.
McGrath also explained that his firm would not be the Fire Board’s client, but the town’s client and therefore would work directly with the town, not the Fire Board.
“The Town Board would hire us and the end product would go to the town,” he said. “The Fire Board becomes a resource for us but they’re really not part of the study.”
Rules and regulations
When asked if the board should work to finalize and instate the Fire Department rules and regulations during the interim, McGrath said it would be a good idea, but said that was up to the town. The rules and regulations have been a sore point with some board members, who have long wanted the department to adopt such guidelines.
McGrath said if the board desired, his firm would look at the rules and regulations and incorporate them into their study.
Cost estimates for the study are not yet available. McGrath should have a finalized proposal to the board soon. If the board chooses to hire McGrath, the firm would then conduct a five-month comprehensive study on the department, at the end of which it would make recommendations and suggestions for the implementation of a new department.
Copyright 2010 Journal Sentinel Inc.