EDITORIAL: Meeting on regional fire protection is good step

June 04--Mayors and fire officials from some Coulee Region municipalities will be meeting Tuesday in a public forum to discuss the possibility of consolidating fire service, and that's a positive start.

It's disappointing to see that not every municipality has committed to attending yet, and here's hoping those representatives come to the table.

If you have mixed feelings about regionalizing services, think of Bob Masewicz.

Fire destroyed his Shelby house in September 2017. The fire struck at 5:15 a.m., and his family of six -- and nine students from Central and Logan -- were able to escape safely thanks to luck and some family preparedness.

Shelby and other fire departments battled the blaze, but the closest fire department outside of Shelby -- La Crosse, with a station less than five minutes away -- wasn't called.

Don't misunderstand: Masewicz praises the Shelby firefighters and others who helped, and he's not blaming anyone.

But when it comes to discussing regionalizing fire service, he says: "I totally back the idea. Regional fire safety makes a lot of sense."

He's a businessman who understands the economies of scale that regionalization could bring.

But he's also conflicted like many who live outside of La Crosse.

He likes his lower tax rates. He likes the country feel. He doesn't want to see Shelby be annexed, but he likes living near a vibrant city.

"I'd hope there's no step toward annexation but a step toward safety," he says.

More safety and lower insurance rates could help offset paying more for services.

But let's start with common sense: As a region, we should figure out the best way to share resources, equipment and expertise to increase public safety while curbing costs.

If your house is burning, you care about quick response, not the name on the side of the fire truck.

Some of the folks at Tuesday's meeting likely will bring plenty of concerns -- as well as baggage -- from annexation fears to a legacy of lawsuits across municipal borders.

That's why meeting is so important.

We should expect that municipal officials in our region make a diligent effort to begin building the trust needed to overcome some of the fractious past.

Whether it's consolidating fire and police, municipal courts or transportation solutions, there's plenty of work to be done to achieve some of the economies of scale -- and improved safety -- that Masewicz talks about.

"I believe everything is on the table," Onalaska Mayor Joe Chilsen said.

And it should be.

Let's start by building trust, thinking collaboratively and focusing on the goal of public safety and government efficiency.

The details will be devilish, but the effort is crucial to the growth and well-being of the Coulee Region.

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