Fire contract requests response times from Tess Corners

As part of its contract renewal with the Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department, Muskego city officials want to know how long it takes for firefighters and rescue personnel to respond to calls.

But the majority of the Common Council on Tuesday night decided not to spend $4,800 for software to get additional information on how many firefighters arrive at calls.

Response times are important, which is why the city is requesting such information for the first time as part its contract with Tess Corners, but Alderman Neil Borgman said the city also needs to know the number of firefighters responding to be able to measure the city's fire protection against national standards.

The council was split on the value of such information, however, with Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti noting that it may be unfair to expect Muskego's volunteer department to meet standards for full-time departments.

The $4,800 expenditure had been recommended on a split vote by the Public Safety Committee.