TOWN OF DELAFIELD, Wis. — Town of Delafield voters will decide in August whether to approve a $450,000 referendum to fund additional staffing for Lake Country Fire & Rescue.
The measure is the second phase of a staffing plan the Town of Delafield approved three years ago. Lake Country Fire & Rescue says growing call volume has made the additional staffing necessary. Assistant Chief Jeremy Wachtl said the funding would expand daily coverage across the department's three stations.
“This will get us to 12 people a day on the line 24/7 between three stations.”
Residents Pat Niemi and Stephanie Jenkins said they are familiar with the department's workload.
“They are busy all the time,” Niemi said.
Jenkins, who lives in a senior facility, said the department responds frequently to her community.
“We live in a senior facility, and we use them quite often.”
Wachtl said the referendum is part of a broader effort to transition Lake Country from a volunteer and part-time fire service to full-time firefighters.
“They aren’t around like they used to be. Too many commitments, the education and the training that is required to be a firefighter-paramedic is way above what most people can do on their side gig or at home at night,” Wachtl said.
For the average Town of Delafield homeowner with an $800,000 home, the tax increase would amount to $142 a year.
Jenkins said she supports the referendum.
"It is a good idea because we really need them,” Jenkins said.
Niemi said she has not yet decided how she will vote.
Residents with questions about the referendum can attend an open house at the Town of Delafield Fire Station on Thursday, July 30, at 6 p.m.
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