Village of Maine holds board meeting after 6 firefighters abruptly resign

VILLAGE OF MAINE, Wis. (WSAW) – The Village of Maine is dealing with a sudden firefighter shortage after six members, including the chief and two lieutenants, resigned at a board meeting on Monday night.

They take with them nearly 30 years of experience. Their departure is largely due to the deputy chief who was demoted and suspended for an incident of equipment misuse.

One former firefighter tells NewsChannel 7 they feel the board has too much control and the chief should make more decisions.

They question if the department can properly serve its communities without, what they say, are their top responders.

On Tuesday night the board held a meeting to discuss a plan to move forward.

“Tonight’s officer and board meeting was planned to start the groundwork for a positive transition,” Village President Betty Hoenisch stated. “After a couple of conversations with Captain Leo Gau, he felt it would be best for the new officers to meet and put a tentative plan together. That plan will then be put together and brought to the Village of Maine Board, and that plan may result in revisions being made to Maine’s fire department bylaws and standard operating guidelines.”

According to the department’s roster, they now have 15 firefighters. However, not all members are active.

Hoenisch says the community is still safe and there are no lapses in response. The Maine Fire Department also serves the Towns of Berlin and Stettin.

Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.