HALES CORNERS -- TODAY'S TMJ4 has learned that a local fire department left only one of their 30 firefighters to fend for an entire community on Labor Day.
This is the latest news about staffing problems at the Hales Corners Fire Department. Village President Dan Besson admits that staffing on Monday was unacceptable. Besson says he was told a scheduling mix-up led to the mistake.
The Village of Hales Corners may only be three square miles, but it's home to nearly 8,000 people. On Monday, a lone firefighter was staffed to respond to all of their potential fires, rescues and medical emergencies.
"I think that's a big issue, for this big town, it's pretty poor," said Helmut Schuetzler.
The information was brought to our attention from public safety concerns inside the Hales Corners Fire Department. Besson said he was made aware of the staffing shortage on Tuesday.
"The situation was dealt with and will never happen again," he said.
The Hales Corners Fire Chief said their firefighter responded to distress call Monday, leaning on assistance from the Greendale Fire Department. Thankfully, nothing that got out of hand.
"I was surprised, but I don't get into the micro-managing on a normal basis," Besson said. "When I'm made aware of that situation, it was dealt with and will never happen again."
