The Black Creek Fire and Rescue Department. March 17, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
BLACK CREEK, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The future of ambulance coverage in the Village of Black Creek is up in the air. The Village didn’t renew it’s contract for ambulance service with its volunteer fire and rescue for 2026.
Negotiations for a contract extension are underway, but the current agreement ended on March 16.
Black Creek fire and rescue said it continues to provide ambulance service for now. If an agreement isn’t reached next week, it plans to stop service in the area by the end of April.
In a statement Black Creek Rescue said in part,
“Black Creek Rescue has been engaged in contract discussions with the Village since October. Over the course of several months, numerous meetings were held in an effort to reach a sustainable and mutually acceptable agreement. Despite those efforts, the Village has been unable to develop or commit to a viable plan for EMS coverage.”
Fire and rescue said that negotiations stagnated in December, which led to a notice of termination for the ambulance contract.
The central issue, according to Black Creek Rescue, was the village’s request for an audit funded by the ambulance budget. It said,
This is particularly concerning given that Black Creek Rescue already reduced its 2026 budget request by $46,000, roughly 1/3 of the total request, to help make continued EMS coverage more attainable for the municipalities.
Currently, no other group is contracted to provide ambulance service to the area.
Village President Andy Gleason released a statement regarding the audit, saying in part,
During this ongoing process the Village Board has insisted on contract enhancements which provide accounting controls to monitor the use of public funds which were previously lacking. As a public body the Village Board has a duty to ensure public funds are properly spent and accounted for.
Gleason said the work is in the best interest for the village residents. He continued,
“As Village President, I am deeply appreciative of the service provided by the dedicated EMS personnel while we work through this process.”
The Village previously closed it’s police department last year.
Fire and Rescue and the Village will meet next week to continue contract discussions.
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