Gov. Tony Evers signed a sweeping coronavirus relief package Wednesday after lawmakers approved it with just two days to spare before the state would have lost out on hundreds of millions of dollars in federal help.
The Democratic governor signed the bill, which also suspends a one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits, two hours after state senators unanimously approved it. - PUB DATE: 4/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Oshkosh Northwestern
Wisconsin lawmakers in the state Senate on Wednesday will take up a coronavirus relief package under a cloud of criticism over the bill's treatment of first responders.
Republican lawmakers in the state Assembly in last-minute amendment scaled back workers compensation protections for first responders during the virus outbreak. - PUB DATE: 4/15/2020 7:57:22 AM - SOURCE: Oshkosh Northwestern
The reality of the COVID-19 pandemic struck Rob Puls on March 19, when Bayfield County confirmed its first positive case of the virus.
Puls coordinates paramedics for Great Divide Ambulance, which staffs four ambulances around the clock in the 15,000-person county that hugs Lake Superior. The four vehicles cover around 730 square miles, an area three times the size of Chicago. - PUB DATE: 4/15/2020 1:46:52 AM - SOURCE: Osceola Sun
A Beloit firefighter, who also is a reservist with the U.S. Navy, is being called to active duty in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Beloit Fire Department.
Relief Motor Pump Operator and Firefighter/Paramedic Phil Ferrera will be deployed to the East Coast region to help in the federal response to the health crisis there. - PUB DATE: 4/14/2020 8:16:05 PM - SOURCE: Beloit Daily News
To protect themselves from coronavrius, firefighters in Jefferson have a new way of wiping down their equipment after making runs. They’re applying a mixture of bleach and water to the insides their ambulances and fire engines as well as on the surfaces of their gear.
“Any of the equipment that is actually in the ambulance -- the cot, the monitor -- is available to be decontaminated with the same product,” said Jefferson Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Wendt. - PUB DATE: 4/14/2020 9:44:15 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison
Firefighters spent more than five hours putting out a fire started by an abandoned campfire, according to a release by the Madison Fire Department.
Crews were to the 4100 block of Westerfield Lane around 9 a.m. Monday.
Someone in the area called 911 after noticing smoke coming from a wooded area, the release said. - PUB DATE: 4/14/2020 7:46:36 AM - SOURCE: WISC-TV Channel 3000.com Madison
Three West Bend firefighters tested positive for the coronavirus, fire officials announced Monday, April 13. Three others tested negative.
Fire officials said Monday two firefighters developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and were removed from work. Their tests came back positive. One recovered and returned to work, and the other was symptom free Monday and expected back at work by week’s end. - PUB DATE: 4/13/2020 6:35:29 PM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee
It's National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week and although they will always answer that 911 call for help, this pandemic has changed first responder protocol.
Before emergency services are dispatched, telecommunicators ask a series of questions to determine if the caller may have COVID-19. Some of the questions the dispatcher will ask include: Do you have a fever? Do you have a new or worsening cough? Do you have shortness of breath? Have you come in contact with a person who had these symptoms or is known to have COVID-19?
Depending on the callers answers, the dispatcher will let emergency first responders know exactly what to expect when they get to the caller's house. - PUB DATE: 4/13/2020 1:43:13 PM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay
Firefighters in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, created a giant heart using their fire engines on April 11. They called on others to join the #HeartsForHealthCare trend and post their own tributes to people fighting the spread of the coronavirus.
“We encourage the public to also join us either at their local fire department or in their own driveways, sidewalks, or windows by drawing hearts for healthcare to show your love for those on the front lines fighting,” the department wrote on April 8. - PUB DATE: 4/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KMSP-TV FOX 9 Minneapolis
A barn and camper were burnt Saturday off of Pine Road in the Town of Norrie.
Lt. Will Stuart with the Marathon County Sheriff's Office said the property owner was trying to burn a box when the ashes and embers caught the barn and camper on fire. He said this was not the owner's primary residence. No one was hurt. - PUB DATE: 4/12/2020 7:36:23 AM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau
DNR officials say at least one person was injured during a wildfire early Saturday afternoon in Oconto County.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, they weren't sure if the person injured was part of the responsible party, or if it was someone else.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, and hasn't been released to WBAY. - PUB DATE: 4/11/2020 4:01:13 PM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay
The Pewaukee and Sussex fire departments have formed a partnership — at least temporarily.
According to Pewaukee Fire Chief Kevin Bierce, the decision to merge the two departments was in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"(Sussex Fire) Chief (David) Johnsen and I have been looking at different options of how to enhance service levels for both communities for several months," Bierce said. - PUB DATE: 4/10/2020 9:33:18 AM - SOURCE: Living Lake Country
PHOTO: Firefighters and paramedics in Oregon showed their support for health care workers Thursday night by driving through the town and waving to residents.
The parade, which started at 6 p.m., showcased the Oregon Area Fire & EMS District's equipment. The department asked residents to stand outside in their yards and wave, as a way to thank the health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon and all over the country. - PUB DATE: 4/10/2020 7:57:17 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison
Ellie had been planning everything out for her fifth birthday since at least October: a unicorn party with unicorn cake, special decorations and games, plus a guest list featuring friends from her 4K class.
“When we had to tell her we had to cancel it, she was really sad,” said Ellie’s mom, Christel Peterson. - PUB DATE: 4/10/2020 6:39:09 AM - SOURCE: WiscNews
Firefighters from the City of Wausau are responding to a garage fire on the west side of town.
The call came in around 12:45 p.m. Thursday for a fire near the corner of Russell Drive and 56th Avenue.
A battalion chief told Newschannel 7 one person was home when the fire started in the garage, but got safely out of the home. - PUB DATE: 4/10/2020 2:57:30 AM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau
Crews from agencies around La Crosse County worked well into the night to extinguish a barn fire on Highway 33.
Town of Shelby Assistant Chief Tony Holinka told News 19 that his department answered the call to W2840 Hwy. 33 at 4:15 Wednesday afternoon. Upon arrival, Holinka said they found the barn fully-engulfed in flames, with "flames as high as the corn silo. - PUB DATE: 4/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 La Crosse
PHOTOS: The Janesville Fire Department is thanking a nationwide home improvement retailer during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a Facebook post, The Home Depot donated 3M masks to the department to protect paramedics and firefighters. - PUB DATE: 4/8/2020 10:44:35 AM - SOURCE: WISC-TV Channel 3000.com Madison
Rookie firefighters are preparing for their new careers.
The La Crosse Fire Department is training six new recruits.
These new hires spend four weeks working through different scenarios that they might see on the job. Some of the things they practiced on Tuesday were firefighter safety, firefighter rescue, and putting out basement fires. - PUB DATE: 4/7/2020 4:37:53 PM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse
Two people are safe after their canoe capsized and firefighters had to save them from Lake Monona's frigid waters Tuesday.
The Madison Fire Department said in a release that a bystander called 911 after hearing cries coming from across the lake this afternoon.
The department's Lake Rescue Team was sent to the 1300 block of Morrison Street, where they launched their rescue boat from Law Park. - PUB DATE: 4/7/2020 3:46:37 PM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison
The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating a fire that happened Tuesday, April 7 on Wabash Court just west of 76th Street on the city’s north side.
Police have opened an arson investigation, noting that the fire was intentionally started inside a residence around 2:20 a.m.
The American Red Cross, who provided assistance to 18 people affected by the fire, said the fire happened at multi-unit group home. - PUB DATE: 4/7/2020 3:45:43 PM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee
