Delavan Rescue Squad set to close its doors
DELAVAN--The Delavan Rescue Squad is slated to close at the end of March, Delavan City Administrator Denise Pieroni said Monday.
Pieroni said city officials and the board of the private, nonprofit service are working to prevent the closing. She declined to go into specifics.
“We’re looking at some options, and they’re looking at some options, in terms of cooperation,” Pieroni said.
The rescue squad is committed to maintaining an ambulance with paramedic services until the end of March, she said.
A source with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be identified said about 20 of the squad’s paid staff were told Saturday that they were laid off, effective immediately, and services would be cut. The source told The Gazette that finances are the problem.
Cathy Mestan, who handles public relations for the rescue squad, said she’s hopeful board members and the city will find a solution. She declined to comment further.
Other Delavan Rescue Squad officials could not be reached for comment Monday.
The Delavan City Council is scheduled to discuss the rescue squad behind closed doors tonight. The item is not in open session because of “competitive or bargaining reasons,” according to the meeting notice.
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Jan 16, 2013 at 2:21 p.m.
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Medics will be taking over DRSI.
Now if someone would only investigate the mismanagement of finances by the board president, board treasurer, chief, and the rest of the board members as well as unauthorized and illegal use of station vehicles used for personal transport, etc. Again, it would be very eye opening as to where all of the money has been going over the past few years. And let's not forget the numerous issues and cases with the NLRB.
Jan 16, 2013 at 11:25 a.m.
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Of course they ignore the most common sense approach and that is why it is probably not being discussed. Why not combine the City of Delavan Fire Department and the Delavan Rescue Squad and Town of Delavan Fire Department or we still going to use the same argument used for passed 50 years. "Well we just don't get along" But then again all that would do would save money, make sense and avoid duplication of services and boards.
Jan 15, 2013 at 4:10 p.m.
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i live in brodhead wis west of janesville about 25 miles and our town ems service and fire department isnt paid, so why is your town ems being paid?
Jan 15, 2013 at 3:32 p.m.
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Fordfan: ignorant comment of the decade. And that's saying a heck of a lot for this website.
Jan 15, 2013 at 1:52 p.m.
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Mismanagement and corruption seems to have its roots in the Delavan area.....and these are Republicans. Say it isn't so Scott!
Jan 15, 2013 at 11:32 a.m.
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Well said abass80. It's about time the public knows what has been going on. It's a shame, because there were many talented healthcare providers that lost their job, and the citizens of Delavan are paying for mismanagment by no longer having the services they need.
Jan 15, 2013 at 10:57 a.m.
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If some wealthy individuals were gyrating about on the local golf course in a state of congestive heart failure could an ambulance from a nearby city (10 - 20 miles away) be dispatched in time to recover the bodies? Would the golf course be considered somewhat liable for the poor response time? Would the city be "on the hook" for any consequential "responsibility"? It seems that there is no easy answer.
Jan 15, 2013 at 8:07 a.m.
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The issue of Delavan Rescue having "financial troubles" and being at risk of closing has been an issue for many years. Financial troubles happen when the board and their associates mismanage funds. I do not blame the city of Delavan one bit. You cannot mismanage funds then cry to the city every month for a loan so you can make minimum payroll. A lot of good talent has come and gone through the doors of Delavan Rescue - none of which were board members. Mismanagement, changes in bylaws to secure that the board was able to make decisions (financial and management) without the votes of all members, and other misdeeds over years have lead to this happening. A few years ago some employees got together to try to remedy the issue and make changes in the makeup of the board members. Those who did stand up were fired immediately or eventually or they left the squad. Do not blame the city of Delavan for not funding the squad and claim the city is being greedy with their own funds. Blame the board of Delavan Rescue and a few key people for lining their own pockets and being underhanded and shady. It is a shame...Delavan Rescue was there for 60+ years. Lots of good people over the years were let go or left due to all of the mismanagement and the board members fears of being exposed. City of Delavan: I would not waste my time negotiating any contract with Delavan Rescue without first completely cleaning house and also doing an investigation on the Delavan Rescue financials over the past 6 years along with the actions of the board and their chief. Then maybe you all will see what happened to the money and why DRSI failed.
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:49 a.m.
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I wonder how much the City budgets to DelBrook Golf Course...which is City owned and a "non essential" service. Maybe the City should get out of the golf business.
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:07 a.m.
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So they will no longer have any emergency services?
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