Fitch-Rona EMS Commission Meeting – February 19, 2026

The Fitch-Rona EMS Commission met on February 19, 2026, with a quorum present. Members introduced themselves, including interim Alder Micah Ladise, Alder Jake Lipper participating by Zoom, Town of Verona representative David Lonsdorf, City of Verona appointee Steven Fusco, Alder Patrick Lytle, and Chief Patrick Anderson. The commission elected officers, approved prior minutes, reviewed the chief’s monthly report, approved accounts payable, and adopted updates to the employment categories policy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comment.

Election of Officers

• David Lonsdorf (Town of Verona representative) was elected chair, saying his fourth year on the commission left him with less of a side to take if the two cities disagree.
• Daniel Schultz was elected secretary and said he would delegate the administrative duties to staff.

Chief’s Report

• January calls totaled 474, down 3% from the prior January, with an average of about 15 calls per day.
• All district trucks were on calls 19 times in January, compared with 25 times in the previous year; neighboring agencies, including Madison and Oregon once, provided mutual aid eight times.
• Briar Patch youth visited Station 3 for an EMS 101 session.
• Milestones and recognition included Jameson Brinkman reaching two years of service, Kathy Anderson reaching one year, care-card thanks for Molly Olsen, Andrew Jensen, and Chip, and a deputy chief recognized for falls-prevention presentations with Safer Communities of Dane County.
• Falls were the leading or second-leading call type and accounted for about 40% of 2025 calls.
• The Epic grant was clarified as an annual opportunity through the City of Verona; prior funds helped buy e-bikes and an inflatable shelter, and remaining funds are earmarked for bike equipment and a shelter heating element.

Accounts Payable and Budget Discussion

• The commission approved the accounts payable report after discussion of budget forecasting, prepaid items, and a $21,000 prepayment for three years of preventive maintenance.
• It was noted that the district budget is roughly $4.5 million and that EMS is funded about half by taxpayers and half by service fees.

Employment Categories Policy Update

• Chief Anderson proposed two additions: an LTE2 category and a permanent part-time category for the peak-time ambulance.
• LTE2 staff would be regularly scheduled for more than 48 hours per month, have two or more years of service with Fitch-Rona or another 911 agency, be paramedics, and require chief approval. The intent is to incentivize stable shift coverage, possibly with higher pay using savings from retirements, with at least one LTE2 assigned to the peak-time truck.
• Permanent part-time would be a represented position working less than 2,496 hours per year but more than 1,248 hours per year, roughly 24 hours per week. Details would be negotiated with the union in an MOU and brought back for approval.
• Discussion noted LTEs are all paramedics, can range from new graduates to 30-year veterans, and historically have been a hiring pool for full-time positions. The single volunteer position remains in policy for flexibility.
• The intern job description was not included in the draft; the commission approved the policy as drafted with amendments expected at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• David Lonsdorf elected chair; Daniel Schultz elected secretary.
• Minutes approved with a spelling correction to Secretary Schultz’s name.
• Accounts payable report approved by voice vote.
• Employment categories policy approved by voice vote with no opposition; intern program language to be added later.
• Meeting adjourned.