Less than a month before the spring election, the Fond du lac police chief and fire chief are making their closing arguments for a public safety referendum. Voters are being asked for permission to spend more than a million dollars annually to add six new firefighter/paramedics and six police officers. The first of two Zoom information meetings was held Monday afternoon. Police Chief Bill Lamb says the extra officers are needed because of an increase in the number of calls for service and the types of calls for service. Lamb says are several days when service call demands put the department in a reactive mode. Like the police department, Fire Chief Pete O’Leary, says his department is responding to an increased number of calls. O’Leary says he’s concerned if the referendum does not pass, response times will be impacted. Saint Agnes Hospital president Katherine Vergos says a fourth ambulance would help close the gap for the many times all existing ambulances are simultaneously responding to 911 calls for service. Vergos says adding six additional firefighter/paramedics will help to continue to provide outstanding care to patients as they come to the hospital, as well as those that are transfered out for higher level of care that is sometimes needed. The referendum tax impact is $43 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home.
