Monday, January 28, 2013
The Port Washington Fire Department is able to take in more money because of the increased calls, which may come in handy when it needs to look at expanding it's location.
If it seemed like you heard emergency sirens more often in 2012 than years before, it was probably so: the Port Washington Fire Department actually reported a record-high number of fire and ambulance calls in its preliminary statistics data for last year. The department responded to 1,191 emergency calls, 224 of which were fire calls and 967 were emergency calls, which is the "most calls in the department's history," according to notes from the Police and Fire Commission meeting. Sometimes extreme weather conditions such as heat emergencies can be pointed to as a reason for increased emergency calls, but Fire Chief Mark Mitchell said there isn't a specific issue like this that can be blamed. "It fluctuates from year to year, and there's …
Friday, June 15, 2012
A 21-year-old Port Washington man suffered "substantial" injuries to his leg after a 74-year-old Grafton man failed to yield at an intersection and the two collided; the Grafton man was also transported to the hospital with chest pain.
A 21-year-old Port Washington man is recovering from "substantial" leg injuries after being thrown 45 feet from his motorcycle when a motorist failed to yield and the two collided. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash at 9:58 a.m. Friday at the intersection of County Highway C and Preserve Court in the town of Grafton, according to a press release. A 74-year-old Grafton man driving a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee was making a left turn from County Highway C onto Preserve Court and turned in front of the motorcyclist. The driver had been wearing a seatbelt. The motorcyclist, driving a 1980 Suzuki, was thrown 45 feet from his bike; he was a wearing a full-face helmet but suffered "…
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A roundup of the most recent activity from the police blotter.
A 28-year-old Port woman went to the hospital Friday after her 2003 Dodge van rolled over and spun out at the intersection of South Heritage and Sunset roads. The driver had stopped at a stop sign but failed to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle crossing her path, according to the Port Washington police report. She was struck by the other vehicle, a 2011 Ford Escape, and was sent spinning until her car landed with the driver's side down. The incident occured at at 11:56 a.m. An ambulance arrived, removed the 28-year-old from her car, and took her to the hospital. Later that day, at about 7:14 p.m., there was another collision when a vehicle turned left in front of an oncoming car at North Wisconsin Street and Seven Hills Road. The left-…
Monday, August 8, 2011
Increasing the level of ambulance service may be a positive move for Port Washington, but it may also carry harmful, unintended consequences for the city.
As of August 1, Port Washington's ambulance service is now operating at the paramedic level. Residents will be paying new rates — now beginning at $525 per trip, plus mileage at $12.75. The new rates are an increase of approximately 50% over 2010 rates. In exchange, residents will see a higher training level and more immediate treatment for certain life-threatening situations. The city appears to be considering an additional goal in generating revenue from neighboring communities as well. Although ambulance calls will be more expensive, this appears to be a complete win for the community, right? Maybe. There are certainly improvements in care, but there are consequences for us to consider, which may include modification of the ambulance …
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
After a long application process, the Port Washington Fire Department's upgrade from EMT to paramedic service will start Aug. 1.
After nearly a year of hoping for something to happen, it finally did. The state approved Port Washington's application to upgrade from EMT to paramedic service. “This is a huge step, I’m proud that we’re doing this," Port Fire Chief Mark Mitchell said during the city's Common Council meeting last week, adding that ambulances will begin taking paramedic calls at midnight Aug. 1. "We hope that none of you (at the Common Council meeting) are our first customers," he said with a laugh. More about the paramedic service:
Monday, July 11, 2011
A crowd gathered on Saturday to watch the 'baptizing' of Saukville's new fire engine 362 and ambulance 351.
With sirens blowing and lights flashing, the Saukville Fire Department christened its new fire engine and ambulance on Saturday. Port Washington Fire Chief Mark Mitchell presided over the wet down ceremony — a traditional way to welcome a fire apparatus or station.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Fire Chief Mark Mitchell explains why an ambulance chassis purchased in 2010 won't hit the streets of Port Washington until sometime next year.
Port Washington has a new ambulance, but it won’t hit the streets until 2012, the result of a creative solution by Fire Chief Mark Mitchell. When the Ford Motor Co. discontinued the diesel option for the E-series chassis in 2011, Mitchell approached the Common Council last year with a unique proposal — allow him buy a 2010 Ford diesel chassis, then store it until mid-2011 when it will be delivered to the ambulance builder in Indiana for completion. The end result will be a new ambulance delivered next year to his liking and the liking of his dozens of volunteer EMT/paramedics who serve Port Washington citizens.had an important decision to make if wanted to get the new vehicle he wanted. “Gas engines and emergency vehicles, that’s what we …
Susie Ropiak
1:49 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
*Shrug* So did I. more ›