Fire Advisory Board

Fire Advisory Board Meeting Agenda Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Minutes from February 18, 2026 2-3 Fire Advisory Board - 18 Feb 2026 - Minutes 5. BUSINESS a. First Quarter Financial Update 4 Memo: First Quarter Financial Update b. Replacement Fire Apparatus Update 5 Memo: Replacement Fire Apparatus Update c. 2025 Annual Report 6 - 18 Memo: 2025 Annual Report d. 2026 Fire Department Capital Projects - 3 radios - Pdf 19 6. AGENDA TOPICS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS 8. ADJOURNMENT  Fire Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM Council Chambers The Fire Advisory Board of the City of New Richmond was called to order on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present: PRESENT: John Van Dyk, Richard Hesselink, Thomas Weinmeyer, Mike Montello, Dave Naser, Dave Stephens, Scott Grady ABSENT: Rita Keating, Tom Heintz OTHERS Noah Wiedenfeld, Rae Ann Ailts PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Dick Hesselink at 5:00 pm. ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mike Montello moved to adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Tom Weinmeyer and carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 9, 2025 FIRE BOARD MEETING Mike Montello moved to approve the meeting minutes as presented from the October 9, 2025 Fire Board meeting. The motion was seconded by Dave Stephens and carried unanimously. BUSINESS 4Q25 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL POSITION Rae Ann Ailts reviewed revenues and expenditures through the end of 2025. Total expenditures were $475,061.81 and total revenue was $503,510.50. Notably, vehicle maintenance expenses incurred in 2025 were less than prior year. The total annual expenditures for the Fire Department were below budget by $209,594.64, however, it's important to keep in mind that a large portion of the capital budget each year is for future vehicle replacement, and the City does not bill for or collect these funds Fire Advisory Board Meeting February 18, 2026 until the replacement fire apparatus arrives and expenses are incurred. The replacement fire apparatus is anticipated to arrive in December of 2026 and will cost $1,084,765. 2026 FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS Noah Wiedenfeld and Rae Ann Ailts reviewed the previously identified 2026 capital projects, and requested authorization from the Fire Board to proceed with purchasing the following based on quotes received:  Replacement chutes and cameras on Trucks 3269 and 3268, in the amount of $11,474  Seven sets of structural fire gear in the amount of $33,149  Three replacement handheld radios in the amount of $19,124.01 Additionally, staff requested authorization to proceed with purchasing capital items:  SCBA cylinders (estimated cost: $5,000)  Large diameter hose (estimated cost: $6,000)  Chainsaw and leaf blower replacement (estimated cost: $3,000)  Milwaukee fan and batteries (estimated cost: $6,400)  18" Super Vac (estimated cost: $4,800)  Scott RIT Pack III (estimated cost: $3,600) Mike Montello moved to authorize staff to proceed with the capital purchases as outlined. The motion was seconded by John Van Dyk and carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING DATE The next Fire Board meeting will be Wednesday, April 15th at 5:00 pm. AGENDA TOPICS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS At the next meeting, the Fire Board will receive an update regarding the purchase of the replacement fire apparatus and the corresponding cost share of each jurisdiction. ANNOUNCEMENTS None ADJOURNMENT At 5:37 pm, Mike Montello moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Dave Stephens and carried unanimously. Fire Advisory Board Meeting February 18, 2026  MEMO Prepared for: Fire Board Staff Contact: Noah Wiedenfeld Meeting: Fire Advisory Board - 15 Apr 2026 Subject: First Quarter Financial Update BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Staff will review the operating expenses and revenues through the first quarter of 2026, and provide an update on the procurement of the 2026 capital equipment that was reviewed at the last Fire Board meeting. No action is required by the Fire Board; this item of business is for informational purposes only. Copies of the financial report will be made available to Fire Board members to share with their respective Village/Town Boards.  MEMO Prepared for: Fire Board Staff Contact: Josh Bell Meeting: Fire Advisory Board - 15 Apr 2026 Subject: Replacement Fire Apparatus Update BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In October of 2025, the Fire Board and City Council approved proceeding with the replacement of Truck 3265 with the purchase of a new E-One Stainless Steel E-Max Rescue Pumper. In early 2026, Truck 3265 had to be taken out of operation due to a cracked frame. Truck 3265 will be declared surplus and staff intend to solicit bids for the vehicle via the Wisconsin Surplus Online Auction. The new apparatus remains on schedule to be completed in late 2026. There will be an opportunity for a final inspection in October if anyone from New Richmond wishes to travel to the factory in Hamburg, New York, and then delivery of the truck is expected to occur in December of 2026. As manufacturing progresses, staff should be able to share some photos of the truck in progress to share with the Fire Board. At the last Fire Board meeting, it was requested that we review the anticipated cost share for each jurisdiction. This information is shown in the table below: MUNICIPALITY COST SHARE (%) COST ($) City of New Richmond 55.5 602,044.58 Town of Erin Prairie 2.8 30,373.42 Town of Stanton 4.2 45,560.13 Town of Star Prairie 16.9 183,325.29 Town of Richmond 18.3 198,512.00 Village of Star Prairie 2.3 24,949.00 No action by the Fire Board is requested at this time. Staff will continue to provide updates on the new apparatus going forward.  MEMO Prepared for: Fire Board Staff Contact: Josh Bell Meeting: Fire Advisory Board - 15 Apr 2026 Subject: 2025 Annual Report BACKGROUND INFORMATION: A copy of the 2025 Annual Report is included in the agenda packet. If any of the municipalities are interested in adding the Annual Report to your respective websites, City staff can share electronic copies as well. No action from the Fire Board is necessary for this agenda item. ATTACHMENTS: Fire Department 2025 Annual Report NEW RICHMOND FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT 2025 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2 of 13 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department is to preserve life and property, promote public safety, and foster economic growth through leadership, management, and actions as an all-risk life safety response provider. The Department focuses on responding rapidly to emergencies and providing appropriate intervention and community education. OUR COMMUNITY The New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department proudly provides fire prevention, fire suppression, fire inspections, extrication, and rescue operations for a 150-mile radius consisting of the following local units of government: City of New Richmond Town of Erin Prairie Town of Richmond Village of Star Prairie Town of Star Prairie Town of Stanton FIRE BOARD CITY COUNCIL Tom Weinmeyer Mayor Jim Zajkowski Scott Grady Craig Kittel Mike Montello Greg Gartner Rita Keating Scott Grady John Van Dyk Mike Montello Tom Heintz Pete Vrieze Dave Naser Tom Weinmeyer Dave Stephens Dick Hesselink POLICE & FIRE COMMISSION Jon Hailey, Kirk Lindell, Andrea Kier, Michael Hedges, Shawn Demulling PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Tom Weinmeyer, Ron Volkert, Greg Gartner, Bill O’Connell, Shawn Demulling 2|Page Page 3 of 13 OUR FIREFIGHTERS Josh Bell Kiel Kwiatowski Jerry Smith Chris Bendix Tony Leblanc Mike Strey Daryl Chute Josh Lindstrom Jeff Swanson Andrew DeShane Dan Maslowski Rick Swanson Shaun Henke Tristen Mortel Jeremy Sylvester Josh Hines Brad Olek Sarah Thurston Jon Hirt Paul Opseth Tasha Tourville Noah Hughes Vivian Roberts Oliver Wettstein Brad Johnson Santiago Ruiz Darius Wherley OUR EXPLORERS Local youth ages 14-18 who are interested in learning more about firefighting are encouraged to join our Explorers Program to participate in some classroom training and hands-on lessons. Explorers can also participate in many of our community events throughout the year. Students who earn certifications in EMT, EMR, Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and/or Fire Inspector can earn a $500 Career and Technical Education Incentive Grant per certification from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) upon their high school graduation. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION YEAR 3261 Engine 2003 OUR VEHICLE FLEET 3262 Engine 2017 The New Richmond Fire & Rescue 3263 Ladder Truck 2010 Department uses a variety of specialized 3264 Chief’s Vehicle 2017 vehicles to respond to vehicle accidents, 3265 Rescue Pumper 2006 structure fires, grass and off-road events, 3266 Brush Truck 2009 and water/ice rescues. 3267 Brush Truck 1999 3268 Tender 2006 3269 Tender 2001 3270 Rescue 1996 3271 Engine 1997 3272 Assistant Chief’s Vehicle 2021 N/A UTV 2018 3|Page Page 4 of 13 OUR HISTORY A fire department was established in New Richmond in 1875, with the establishment of what was first known as “The Minne-ha-ha Engine Company No. 1.” A “truck house” for the first fire truck – a hook and ladder truck twenty feet long with pails on both sides – was constructed in 1880. Fires wiped out much of the City in 1892, and again in 1899 following the infamous cyclone that destroyed much of the city. Early bucket brigades advanced thanks to the invention of water-pumping engines and municipal water supplies. Common citizens selflessly participated on the fire department to help protect their communities and their fellow citizens, and this tradition continues to this day. We are appreciative of the hundreds of citizens who have served on the New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department over the years and helped their fellow citizens during a time of need. The fire station, trucks, and specialized equipment have certainly changed over past 150 years, but the principle at the core of the New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department – service to the community – has not changed. 4|Page Page 5 of 13  5|Page Page 6 of 13 2025 CALL VOLUME & INCIDENT SUMMARY As St. Croix County continues to grow, so too has the number of calls for service. In 2025, the New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department received 320 calls for service, an increase from the year prior but slightly below a record-high number of calls in 2023. Annual Calls for Service, 2015-Present 350 331 303 320 280 285 296 286 300 265 248 250 215 218 200 150 100 50 0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 The New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department directly serves residents and businesses in the City of New Richmond, Town of Star Prairie, Town of Richmond, Town of Stanton, Town of Erin Prairie, and Village of Star Prairie. The graph below illustrates the 320 calls for service received in the 2025 calendar year, sorted further according to jurisdiction. 2% <1% 2025 Fire Calls by Jurisdiction 5% 5% City of New Richmond 8% Town of Star Prairie Town of Richmond 9% Town of Stanton Mutual/Automatic Aid 71% Town of Erin Prairie Village of Star Prairie 6|Page Page 7 of 13 2025 INCIDENT SUMMARY CONTINUED The New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department has a positive working relationship with its neighboring agencies, who assist each other when the need arises. “Automatic Aid” refers to when the St. Croix County Communications Center (Dispatch) pages more than one fire department simultaneously for a single incident, without a request initiated by a fire department. Automatic aid agreements are especially beneficial to get the necessary resources to the edges of the respective jurisdictional boundaries. “Mutual Aid” refers to when Dispatch pages a fire department after the first responding fire department requests assistance. Mutual aid is most common when there is a very large incident that requires considerable resources, and/or one fire department might be responding to multiple calls at the same time. Call Type Count Besides calls cancelled in route, the most Cancelled in Route 67 frequent type of call for service in 2025 was to Motor Vehicle Accident 42 assist with motor vehicle accidents, which is common due in part to having two state Alarm System Notification 37 highways running through the City of New Gas Leak 35 Richmond. There was an increase in calls for gas Medical Assist - EMS 25 leaks and medical assists in 2025. It might Electrical 16 surprise some people to learn that building fires Carbon Monoxide, False Alarm 13 make up a relatively small number of the total Carbon Monoxide 13 calls received. Firefighters are asked to assist Grass Fire 12 with an increasingly wide range of emergency Building Fire 11 situations; thus, they require a variety of specialized equipment, tools, and training. FIRE INSPECTIONS The New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department performs annual inspections of commercial and industrial businesses, office buildings, nursing homes, apartment buildings, etc. to identify possible fire hazards. In 2023, the City Council adopted an ordinance requiring emergency access boxes be installed near the front entrance of new commercial buildings, to allow for faster and safety entry into the building for first responders and reducing property damage. Since 2024, a re- inspection fee of $50 can also be imposed for third and subsequent re-inspections, to further encourage voluntary compliance in addressing violations in a timely manner. Current Fire Inspectors: Josh Bell, Daryl Chute, Marc Chute, Tony Leblanc, Brad Olek, Mike Strey, Jeremy Sylvester, and Nick Watters 7|Page Page 8 of 13 HISTORICAL OPERATING & CAPITAL BUDGETS The operating budget for the New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department has been relatively flat since 2023. The main drivers of the operating budget are compensation for firefighters, vehicle repairs and maintenance, insurance, supplies and equipment, and training. The capital budget has consistently been around $200,000 per year, apart from 2017, when a new vehicle was purchased. The 2026 capital budget does not reflect the purchase of a replacement apparatus, which has been approved but receipt may not occur until December of 2026. Annual Operating Budget, 2016 - Present $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $0 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Annual Capital Budget, 2016 - Present $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $0 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 8|Page Page 9 of 13 REPLACEMENT OF APPARATUS 3265 In the fall of 2025, the replacement of Truck 3265 was recommended by the Fire Board and approved by the City Council. Truck 3265 is a 2006 Rescue Pumper, with roughly 90,000 miles and 7,315 hours, that is used in all rescue responses and was purchased as a used apparatus from a larger fire department. The industry standard for a rescue pumper is 15 years, after which time the apparatus is either refurbished or moved to reserve status, and the apparatus would be removed from service in years 20-25. Truck 3265 has a cracked frame and several other maintenance issues and will now be replaced with a new apparatus – an E-One Stainless Steel E-Max Rescue Pumper. The new apparatus includes a 6-seat cab, galvanized underbody support frame, Cummins engine, 1,030-gallon water tank and 30-gallon foam tank, stainless steel body, and firecom communication system. The cost of the new apparatus is $1,084,765, and delivery/receipt is currently anticipated to occur in December of 2026. MUNICIPALITY COST SHARE COST City of New Richmond 55.5% $602,044.58 Town of Erin Prairie 2.8% $30,373.42 Town of Stanton 4.2% $45,560.13 Town of Star Prairie 16.9% $183,325.29 Town of Richmond 18.3% $198,512.00 Village of Star Prairie 2.3% $24,949.60 9|Page Page 10 of 13 EXPLORERS COMPETE AT MN STATE FAIR The New Richmond Explorers participated in the 2025 Governor’s Fire Prevention Day at the Minnesota State Fair and once again brought some hardware back home to New Richmond at the end of the competition. They received first place in presentation and fourth place overall out of fifteen teams. Job well done by the New Richmond Explorers and advisors! PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT The New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department was once again very active in engaging with the local community throughout 2025. Some of the highlights included: • Dads and Donuts open house event on Father’s Day weekend • Annual “water fights” during Fun Fest for local kids to experience what it’s like to be on the fire hose line • National Night Out, in partnership with the New Richmond Police Department and the New Richmond Area Ambulance Service • Visits to more than 1,300 children at local schools and childcare centers to help educate youth about fire safety during National Fire Prevention Week • Annual open house night during National Fire Prevention Week, including a vehicle extrication demonstration and free fire truck rides • Community chili feed (special thanks to Captain Ken’s Foods for their donation of 250 pounds of chili to go with all the fixings) along with a silent auction and raffle • Second-annual “Pumpkin Drop” event in November, where community members could bring pumpkins to be dropped from the ladder truck • Participation in parades and other community events 10 | P a g e Page 11 of 13 FAQS – PROSPECTIVE FIREFIGHTERS Do I have to be a City resident? No. Firefighters must reside within fifteen miles of the City boundaries; several firefighters reside in the surrounding townships/villages. Many of our firefighters also work outside of New Richmond and even in Minnesota. Do I need advance training to be hired? No. While we certainly welcome firefighters with previous experience and training, most new hires have little or no previous training or experience. Probationary firefighters must complete over 100 hours of coursework offered through Northwood Technical College (or another college) including Firefighter I, Hazmat, Auto Extrication, and Emergency Medical Responder to gain the basic knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform firefighting functions. Registration fees and the cost of books/materials are covered. What is the time commitment? The New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department has regularly scheduled meetings and trainings on Monday nights. Both the initial Firefighter I training and continuing education are significant commitments. In terms of responding to calls, some professions may not allow for a firefighter to leave work, and some firefighters commute for work and may only be able to respond to calls on nights/weekends, so while call percentages vary, firefighters shall respond to a minimum of 25% of fire calls per calendar year (which equates to roughly 6 calls per month). What are the benefits of serving as a paid per call firefighter? Firefighters make a direct impact in their community and find it rewarding to serve others in a time of need, and to interact with and educate their fellow citizens about fire safety. Firefighters develop strong relationships with fellow firefighters and first responders in New Richmond and neighboring agencies. Serving as a firefighter is also a great opportunity to further develop one’s leadership skills, confidence, and abilities to communicate and work together on a team. Are firefighters paid? While firefighters receive some monetary compensation for their efforts, they serve first and foremost to help the community. Probationary firefighters who have not yet completed their coursework earn $15 per hour. After moving to non-probationary status, firefighters earn between $18 and $21 per hour for calls, trainings, and meetings. The City also contributes to a 457(b) employer-sponsored retirement plan. How do I apply to join? Contact Human Resources Manager Sarah Reese at 715-246-4268 or sreese@newrichmondwi.gov to complete an application form and to learn more. Applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. New probationary firefighters are approved by the Police & Fire Commission, pending completion of a background check and physical exam. 11 | P a g e Page 12 of 13 HOW YOU CAN HELP US You can help the New Richmond Fire & Rescue Department in several different ways – big and small. We appreciate the continued support from our local community! Serve As a Firefighter We are always looking for high-character, service-minded individuals who are interested in becoming firefighters. We welcome new recruits year-round and provide all necessary training. If you are a local employer, encourage and support your employees to serve as firefighters – it’s a great way to give back to the community and your employees will become stronger leaders. If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about serving as a firefighter, please contact us! We would be glad to meet with you and answer any questions that you or someone else might have. Support Fire Safety Education Consider making a financial contribution to support our National Fire Prevention Week visits to local schools and childcare centers. Teach your children and grandchildren the dangers of fire and how to respond if there is a fire. Plan and practice escape routes from your home. Teach the importance of closing doors before going to sleep to prevent fires from spreading. Adopt a Fire Hydrant Hydrants can easily get buried in snow and ice during the winter months. If there’s a hydrant near your home or business, please clear at least three feet around the hydrant and clear a pathway to the street. Every second matters during an emergency, and keeping the hydrants clear saves our firefighters considerable time if they need to access them. Participate in Our Community Events Consider attending our various community events throughout the year, including our pancake breakfast, Fun Fest water battle, National Night Out, and Fire Prevention Week Open House. We always welcome donations, sponsorships, silent auction items, and volunteers. Install Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors It sounds simple, but installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replacing the batteries at least once a year is critical for the early detection of a fire in your home or business. Offer to assist an elderly neighbor or parent/grandparent as well. 12 | P a g e Page 13 of 13  MEMO Prepared for: Fire Advisory Board Staff Contact: Rae Ann Ailts Meeting: Fire Advisory Board - 15 Apr 2026 Subject: 2026 Capital Projects - Radios BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Earlier this year, staff requested authorization to proceed with several 2026 capital projects, which included the replacement of three failed radios. The radios had originally been planned to be replaced as part of hte county-wide upgrade but because of failures in the field required them to be replaced sooner. Additionally, the department has hired three additional staff which require radios in order to participant in trainings and also assist in the field. Therefore, staff is recommending the addition of three radios through Motorola at a cost of $19,124.01. The capital budget for radio replacements is $40,000, if approved, actual radio replacements/additions in 2026 will be $38,248.02. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends authorization to purchase three radios in the amount of $19,124.01.