PORTAGE, Wis. 鈥� In February 2024, the city of Portage approved a $1.5 million property tax levy to establish its own EMS service, hire and train paramedics, and purchase three ambulances.
On Jan. 1, 2025, the Portage Fire Department officially began operations, serving the city and nearby municipalities.
The department added 14 paramedics and EMTs to its team and received three brand-new ambulances, reported.
鈥淭o take over something like this and take over right on the first of the year, to have everything culminate to one time of the year is a big thing,鈥� Portage Fire Chief Troy Haase said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to go from a paid on-call fire department to a full-time EMS service where we have 21 full-time people. It鈥檚 a big step,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I think we will be able to handle it.鈥�
Portage previously relied on a third-party ambulance service, but Haase noted that while operating their own service is slightly more expensive, it allows for better control and faster response times.
The new paramedics and EMTs on duty for day one shared a sense of excitement, proud to be part of a significant milestone for the department and the communities they serve.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a really humbling experience to be able to see something grow from the ground up and watch it grow and manifest into something amazing,鈥� Firefighter/Paramedic Jerry Weatherby said.
The department responded to six EMS calls from midnight to early afternoon on the first day of service.
