May 25, 2022 – Ozaukee County, WI – The Village of Thiensville and City of Mequon Fire Departments are excited to announce the two separate organizations will formally merge as of January 1, 2023, and become the Southern Ozaukee Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
While this merger will result in the elimination of each individual municipality’s unique Fire Department, the newly formed joint agency will take the best of both historic departments and blend them into a new fire department that will more efficiently and effectively serve both communities.
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The Southern Ozaukee Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department will continue to employ all current volunteer/paid per call members of the Thiensville and Mequon Fire Departments in a similar manner as the individual departments do now.
Additionally, all existing full-time staff will transition to the new department and the efficiencies created by the joint organization will allow for the onboarding of other new full-time staff in the future to ensure the continuous and appropriate staffing of EMS units going forward.
The new organization will continue to rely on dedicated volunteer/paid per call responders to serve alongside the career personnel to ensure adequate staffing for both EMS and fire-related emergencies.
If you are a resident of either Thiensville or Mequon there are still openings and opportunities to serve as an EMT and as Firefighters for the new organization. You can do this by visiting the individual fire department’s recruiting websites to learn more about what you can do to help keep the members of both communities safe going forward.
A City of Mequon representative said, “As the sun sets on the identities of both the Thiensville and Mequon Fire Departments, we pledge to remain respectful and aware of those that came before us and to carry on the traditions that endeared both organizations to their respective communities to the best of our abilities.
“Our current vehicle fleets will retain their existing communities’ identities and only new jointly purchased vehicles will be rebranded.
“In the near term, you will see department members in the uniforms of their previous respective communities and Thiensville vehicles answering calls in Mequon or vice versa. Starting in July, if necessary to efficiently provide service, you may see members of both departments on the same vehicle. This cross staffing will continue to occur while we work to develop and phase in new organizational branding, but rest assured, just like today, whatever uniform we wear or whatever department we came from originally our mission is to protect the health and safety of those who call us for help no matter which community that need occurs. In the future as in the past, you will get the best possible compassionate service from those that respond.”
The social media accounts of both individual organizations will remain active until a new account is established.
Questions regarding the new organization may be directed to Deputy Chief Kurt Zellmann via email kzellmann@ci.mequon.wi.us
