From the Editor's Desk

When the call comes in

Dear Readers:

The blaring sirens of area parades have died down, but now it’s back to business as usual for the area’s fire and EMS volunteers and law enforcement agencies.

While they tend to get top billing in community events like the July 4 parades, local volunteer departments like the ones that service much of the Northwoods have been forced to do more with less in recent years as the number of volunteers dwindles and the remaining department members are stretched thin.

The Northwoods’ model of utilizing volunteer departments has worked for decades, but as more people come to the area and volunteers are fewer and further between, it is putting a strain on the people who give their time to do what they can to keep their neighbors safe when disaster strikes.

The same people you run into chat with in line buying food at the grocery store may also be the ones on call when you have an emergency. 

And the training required for these positions is no joke, with many of the volunteers getting cross-certified in multiple areas so they can help as firefighters and also emergency responders. But that’s just the beginning; it’s not unusual for these volunteers to miss out on their own lives and activities with their own families when the call comes in.

Eagle River Fire Department, which also services the towns of Washington and Lincoln, has given a number of reports in recent months about the increase in calls they are experiencing. And they are not the only department experiencing this — this is the reality for every municipality. 

It becomes especially trying in the summer months. When the population explodes from a couple thousand to tens of thousands and beyond, that strain becomes real in a hurry. 

Local law enforcement experiences the same challenges from the large seasonal influx of people. Sheriff’s office staff are often spread thin, trying to balance their patrols between roads, waters and trails. 

From a budgetary standpoint, they plan their hiring and staffing based on the year-round population. Large swells that only last for a portion of the year can throw those staffing models out of whack, making it a constant juggling act to be everywhere they are needed at once.

When someone calls 911, no matter what type of emergency they’re calling for, they expect a timely response. Our local staff and volunteers do an amazing job with what they have, but please remember to show a little patience and understanding.

So as we clean up the parade confetti and look ahead to the rest of a busy summer, let’s remember to support our local town boards as they navigate these tough budget choices. 

And more than anything, when you see those neighbors who dedicate their time to serving on volunteer fire and emergency medical service departments, thank them for keeping the pager on.