Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department to Receive State Grant Funding

Friday, September 30th, 2022 -- 12:01 PM

The Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department recently learned it will receive $111,000 in state grant funding, a part of the $32 million in state emergency medical services Flex Grants. 

Including the Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department, the EMS Flex Grant has been awarded to 442 Wisconsin licensed emergency medical services throughout the state to help deliver pre-hospital emergency services.

Originally, Governor Tony Evers directed the Department of Health Services to use $12 million in American Rescue Plan Act – State and Local Funds, to give Wisconsin EMS providers funding to relieve financial effects of COVID-19 on services.

Due to the overwhelming responses from over 400 applicants submitting requests totaling $63 million, the Governor has added an additional $20 million to allow more funding assistance to be provided to service agencies, bringing the total amount awarded to licensed Wisconsin EMS services to $32 million.

COVID-19 put a strain on Emergency Medical Services everywhere, and many ambulance services are still trying to recover. Couple that with current inflation and protective services are struggling to maintain services.

"This grant is extremely helpful for our department.  We plan to use the funds for supplies and equipment," said Deputy Chief Steve Bakos. “Coming out of this pandemic, our call volume has continued to rise.  We are on pace for the busiest year we have ever had.”

The department has 39 sworn positions as well as an administrative associate, but is currently operating 3 personnel short. Along with covering fire protection for the City of Marshfield the department provides advanced life support, emergency medical services transport for Marshfield and 13 other municipalities surrounding the city, for a combined population of about 32,500 people.

The department also provides advanced life support intercepts for any EMS service that is transporting into the city of Marshfield, and requests Advanced Life Support services. In addition, the department contracts with Marshfield Medical Center to provide inter-facility transports to and from their facilities when available.

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