Fitchrona EMS Commission Meeting - January 15, 2026

The Fitchrona EMS Commission convened on the evening of January 15, 2026, with Acting Chairman David Lonster (Town of Verona) presiding and a quorum present. The meeting featured a Madison Fire Department recognition presentation for two cardiac arrest saves, the year-end 2025 chief's report, routine approvals, adoption of a new parental leave policy with an amendment, and approval of a staffing memorandum of understanding with Local 311. The commission deferred election of a new chair until vacant seats are filled.

Call to Order & Roll Call

• Present: James Roberts, Jake Lepper, Patrick Lydal (City of Verona), Stephen Fusco (City of Verona), and Acting Chairman David Lonster (Town of Verona).
• New City of Fitchburg appointee Daniel Schultz (appointed the prior Tuesday) was excused due to work travel; one additional City of Fitchburg seat remains vacant. No public comment was offered.

Presentation: Cardiac Arrest Saves with the City of Madison

• Assistant Fire Chief Chris Hamas of the Madison Fire Department presented challenge coins to Fitchrona Paramedic Jeremy Owen for his role in two cardiac arrest saves at the October 18, 2025 UW football game at Camp Randall (vs. Ohio State).
• Both patients, a 71-year-old and a 77-year-old male, survived and are 100% neurologically intact, which Chief Hamas noted is the standard for a "save." He credited quick, professional care by Madison and affiliate (Fitchrona) personnel, and noted that Chief Hamas himself began his EMS career at Fitchrona EMS.

Chief's Report: Year-End 2025

• Chief Anderson reported 5,434 calls in 2025, a 5.5% increase over 2024, above the historical ~3% annual planning figure but down from a 10-15% pace projected after the first quarter of 2025. January 2026 has been busy due to an influenza outbreak.
• 65% of calls occurred in the City of Fitchburg, 1% higher than the prior year.
• The district was out of ambulances 55 times in 2025, up from 45 times in 2024, with the City of Madison providing mutual aid in most cases. The new peak-time ambulance (7 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays) launched its first full day the prior week; Chief Anderson hopes it will reduce mutual aid needs by about two-sevenths (roughly 16 fewer calls).
• Falls were the top December call type; asked whether most falls originate from assisted living or nursing facilities, Chief Anderson said anecdotally "the vast majority" and committed to providing data.
• The district received a $165,000 deposit of state FAP funds (restricted-use); cash on hand ended the year similar to the prior year. Funds were moved in HRA/WISC accounts (post-retirement health care and unassigned fund balance) for higher long-term yields.
• Milestones: Deputy Chief Devin approaches his first-year anniversary; Chief Anderson marked 25 years of service in January. A patient praised paramedics Amy and Nicole for care at the Fitchburg Senior Center.

Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals

• Meeting minutes of December 18, 2025 approved (motion by Jake Lepper, seconded by James Roberts).
• Accounts payable checks authorized by Chief Anderson approved.
• Johnson Block retained for the financial audit of the 2025 fiscal year. Patrick Lydal noted a full audit costs roughly $14,000-16,000 versus $10,000-12,000 for a review (about $4,000 more per year), which is budgeted; the new intergovernmental agreement requires an annual audit (previously two reviews and one audit over three years).

Discussion Items

Parental Leave Policy

• Chief Anderson presented a new parental leave policy added through the collective bargaining agreement, adapted from the City of Fitchburg's policy (which increased from two weeks to three weeks in 2026) and adjusted for 24-hour shift employees' pay structure. The union has a 21-day input process after approval.
• Stephen Fusco expressed strong opposition to the six-month return-to-work clawback provision, calling it inappropriate for a parental leave policy, citing low abuse risk and the poor optics of the district pursuing a new parent. He noted his mother's 40-year NICU nursing career showing that parents often cannot return to work after exhausting leave. Acting Chairman Lonster agreed.
• Patrick Lydal supported the amendment, noting the policy's intent to level benefits between the two cities; Chief Anderson confirmed the waiver authority in the original Fitchburg policy likely sat with a city administrator, which he changed to "chief."
• Motion to adopt the policy with the clawback provision stricken (specific text read into the record) passed with no opposition.

MOU with Local 311: Peak Time Truck Staffing Guidelines

• Chief Anderson presented a memorandum of understanding (developed since September 2025) establishing guidelines for the peak-time ambulance: 12-hour shifts (7 a.m.-7 p.m.), Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the day and location subject to change.
• Staffing will be by limited-term employees (LTEs) for up to one year, with no benefits accruing except state retirement. Full-time staff may not sign up for or be mandated into the shift; the truck may instead be taken out of service (which occurred once already due to illness). Only two LTE employees are currently committed, one per day; if employees later cover both days (guaranteed 24 hours/week), the position could convert to part-time status.
• The one-year term allows the union and district to revisit; the MOU is part of a gradual path toward a fourth daytime ambulance. If call volume grows about 5% annually, the district projects roughly 5,800 calls this year and 6,000 calls by 2030. Approved with no opposition.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes, accounts payable, and the Johnson Block 2025 audit contract.
• Adopted the parental leave policy with the clawback provision removed (no opposition).
• Approved the Local 311 peak-time staffing MOU (no opposition).
• Deferred election of a new chair; David Lonster will continue as interim chair until vacancy appointments are complete. Daniel Schultz, the new Fitchburg appointee, will attend future meetings.
• Meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.