Contracting with Wisconsin Rapids to begin January 2022

By City Times staff

NEKOOSA – The city of Nekoosa will lose their city ambulance service in 2022.

Following a Nov. 9 common council meeting, the city of Nekoosa will discontinue their municipal ambulance and contract with the city of Wisconsin Rapids.

City leaders cited a struggle to find EMS workers in their decision to cease city services.

Residents packed council chambers in an effort to keep local services, expressing concerns on response times from outside departments.

Several also stated that they were not given proper notice of the city’s decision to discontinue the services and contract with Wisconsin Rapids.

Wisconsin Rapids Fire representatives estimated response times at 10-15 minutes, and added that two paramedics would be made available on each Nekoosa call.

The move will also leave several nearby municipalities to seek other avenues for ambulance services.

The motion to contract with Rapids passed, 5-3, with services beginning January 2022.