Town of Algoma votes against creating EMS district with Oshkosh

TOWN OF ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) –The Algoma Town Board decided not to create a new EMS district after several hours of public pushback and discussion.

“Very happy and pleased of the ultimate outcome,” said Don Houde of the Town of Algoma Fire Department. “I know they left the door open to bring it up again, but I think that the compassion of the town, the community emphasize the work that we do.”

As we first reported last month, the Algoma and Oshkosh have explored merging fire departments under one shared governance structure. Residents voiced concern earlier this week.

The Town Board proposed merely creating the EMS District and not anything further with merging the departments. This wouldn’t have changed service but only governance structure, according to the Town Board, as it already contracts with Oshkosh for ambulance service.

“You’re providing the same service under a different governance agreement,” said Robert Whitaker of McMahon Associates, who led a study to determine whether Algoma and Oshkosh should merge fire departments.

The town hoped this district would lead to a $50,000 annual state grant for several years. Plus, it could also have given them additional control in the EMS district, as right now it has no control in its EMS services with Oshkosh.

“I do not think the town would agree to a government structure that would not give us a more equal place at the table,” said Town Administrator Maggie Mahoney.

Dozens of residents questioned why the district needed to even create this district and pursue the path to merging departments.

“If we join this district, we’ll be the minority,” said Algoma resident Scott Middleton, still believing Algoma had little to gain by creating this district.

Residents and the volunteer firefighters fought this, believing this was the first step toward merging fire departments.

“We keep hearing this EMS district, EMS district,” said Fire Chief Kevin Sawicki. “The whole plan is laid out. It’s one through five. You can focus on the one, but the rest of it’s there.”

This topic could come back up in the future, the town administrator told me. But for now, Algoma’s EMS and fire service will maintain its independence.

The Town of Algoma does not currently have a shortage of volunteer firefighters, contrary to what some volunteer departments are experiencing around the country.

Town of Algoma votes against creating EMS district with Oshkosh

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