City of Peshtigo celebrates fire department and emergency medical services expansion

PESHTIGO – The City of Peshtigo marked a new era of service and safety with the firefighting and emergency medical services (EMS) expansion and open house event during National EMS Week on Wednesday, May 21. Staff and city officials spoke about the program updates, their impact and gave tours of the facility.

The expanded Peshtigo City Hall and Fire/EMS Department and enhanced emergency response capabilities were made possible in part by Gov. Tony Evers’ Neighborhood Investment Fund grant program, which awarded the city $3 million for the expansion. This grant program was launched by Evers in 2021 when over $200 million was directed across the state towards capital improvement projects.

As one of the speakers at the event Evers said, “Emergency service providers across the state have been asked to do more with less, having to make tough decisions and even reduce or cut services that keep their community safe. That’s why we worked hard…to encourage an increased share of revenue and provided at least a 20% increase in local support statewide. These investments will help bring a new era of service for our local emergency responders and support other local services as well.”

After the Peshtigo VFW Post 8813 presented the flags a variety of other local leaders spoke about the impact of the expanded fire and EMS department.

Judge James Morrison captured the essence of the event, “It is certainly nice that Peshtigo has another fire station, it’s wonderful.

It enhances public safety and it is a very positive thing for all the right reasons. I think, really, what we should be celebrating today is the people for whom this building was built. I don’t mean the citizens who will benefit from it, but rather the men and women who will report to it, work out of it, train in it, for continuing to do marvelous, remarkable and generous things that they do.”

While the City of Peshtigo Fire Department has had dedicated members for decades, the expansion of the EMS team has prompted even more interested parties to become volunteer Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs).

Fire Chief Charles Gardon shared that the department currently has 27 EMRs that have undergone extensive training with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC). Six more volunteers will begin classes in July, he added.

Learning these lifesaving skills hasn’t been easy, which Chief Folgert recognized, “We have been through a lot with the extra training and interruptions in our normal activities. But, that has prepared us for the challenges ahead.”

Mayor Katie Berman echoed a similar sentiment regarding dedication, “It really is nice to see that there are so many younger members of our community who are willing to step up, help out and participate in a role that is so giving and time consuming…So, it really means a lot to me and, I know, to the residents who have already utilized these services.”

Program speaker and Rennes Group President Nicole Schingick recently has had first hand experience with the importance of emergency medical services. Following a medical emergency on March 17, Officer Cody Cohan and Rennes nursing staff, supported by local EMS groups, were able to successfully provide resuscitation to an unconscious patient.

Schingick said, “We are here to recognize a milestone of our city, an investment in [the] safety, health and wellbeing of every person who calls Peshtigo home. The expansion of our local fire department and the addition of EMS services is an outstanding achievement.”

“It’s a vital lifeline for our seniors, for our families, for our business, knowing that when a medical emergency or crisis occurs that expert health is close by. That can truly be the difference between hope and heartbreak. This project provides peace of mind in the most tangible and meaningful way,” she added.

Peshtigo Common Council President Robert Warren added on to the impact the EMRs have made, “Whether it’s rendering life saving aid to a patient or the knowledge a good samaritan will have knowing that relief is on the way quickly, having our own EMS program will [make a difference] for years to come.”

As the city officials and honored guests prepared to mark the momentous occasion, Mayor Berman said, “Today we don’t just cut a ribbon. We open doors to a safer, smarter and more resilient future for our community.”

Afterwards, firefighters and EMRs gathered with their friends and families to celebrate while city officials led tours around the renovated areas.

Facility highlights include additional office space, an updated kitchen, enhanced meeting rooms and dedicated areas for firefighters and EMRs, all built with advanced energy-saving systems that demonstrate the importance of sustainability.
They also showcased updated equipment storage, training space and access points that allow for improved energy response times to better serve their community.

As the open house came to a close, attendees and speakers thanked past and current Peshtigo Common Council members, staff, contractors, subcontractors, vendors and, of course, the Peshtigo community.