By Rapids City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Wood County’s volunteer Rescue Squad is being put back into service, a week after outgoing Sheriff Tom Reichert disbanded the organization.

In a news release issued today, Sheriff Reichert says he stands by his original decision to demobilize the unit.

“The decision to demobilize the Wood County Sheriff’s Rescue Squad was made through the Wood County budget process and decided in an open meeting structure that was legally noticed and conducted,” Reichert said in a release. “Limited dissent to the demobilization was voiced by county board members. The Wood County Board of Supervisors ultimately voted 19-0 to eliminate the Rescue Squad from the 2019 budget.

“The action I took in the last week was to protect the value and integrity of the equipment belonging to Wood County, and guarantee a decent resale price was realized going forward. Given the emotional response the action has produced, today I have reinstated the Wood County Sheriff’s Rescue Squad so the citizens can have their voice with the Wood County Board of Supervisors and my successor.

“Upcoming expenses and cost of the squad will be very expensive. Within a short period of time, the main rescue vehicle will have to be replaced. It is my hope that my action today will provide a learning opportunity for people to participate early in the budget and government process in our county and have their voice appropriately heard.”