07/28/2026
As with many things, two things can be true at the same time. This article only scratches the surface of the situation facing Oakland residents.
The situation that prompted this was a call for a fire on County A. When a call for an actual fire comes in for the town of Oakland. Automatic aid is supposed to dispatch the Cambridge Fire Department. This did not happen at this particular event. People were upset about it and rightfully so. Blame was misplaced by some on Chief Russ. As it turns out, there was an error at the dispatch level. I'm not going into the details of it because it probably won't make a lot of sense unless you have experience with these things. It was a mistake plain and simple.
Sadly though, apparently it is also true that there are people who are making comments both on social media and out in public that are disparaging people from other fire departments. This needs to stop. Arguments which might be made for rejoining the Cambridge fire commission is diluted by poor behavior.
The real issue lies with the Oakland Town board, specifically the chairperson who refuses to even consider returning to negotiations with the Cambridge Fire commission. As reported in the article at the annual town meeting, there was strenuous public comment on the topic. There were also motions made (not reported well)and passed that would require the board to have a public hearing as well as to entertain the possibility of returning to the intergovernmental agreement for fire in EMS Services. Sadly they are only advisory to the board. The board is refusing to take it up even though when the original vote was made to leave we told the public that they would consider returning if and when things were straightened out. Furthermore, they told the board or I should say, we told the people because I was on the board at the time, that we would form an advisory group consisting of at least one citizen. That never happened.
One member of the Oakland board has consistently attempted to get the subject put on a town board agenda. Chairperson, Laura Payne made an amended motion that would require Cambridge to produce an agreement proposal that would need to be vetted by the town board attorney before anything could come to the agenda. That process circumvents letting the public have a say from the beginning
It also puts the cart before the horse and wastes resources by letting Cambridge assume they know what it is that would be acceptable to return to the intergovernmental agreement. It would also waste costly attorney services to review a proposal that clearly is only an attempt to start a conversation. Entering into a negotiation directly allows the board to have an opportunity to voice concerns and suggest solutions from the beginning.
Unfortunately, it appears as though this is an impasse because not enough people are showing up at the town board meetings and making their voices heard. The rhetoric on social media unfortunately gets certain things wrong and again, as mentioned earlier dilutes The credibility of any argument that it takes to correct the situation.
The Oakland Town board could resolve this and put an end to the angst and anxiety over this issue by going forward with a public meeting and subsequently attempting to negotiate with Cambridge to resolve issues.
Jefferson, Fort Atkinson and Lake Mills all knew that this was supposed to be a temporary situation. This is not on them in any way shape or form. I are grateful for their help in resolving the immediate concerns that we had at the time.
Please if you are going to criticize and state facts make sure they are correct. Don't take hearsay and don't attack people on other departments. They are not the issue.
Call the fire chief if you want to know something. Ask for a public record if you'd like to know something.
Fire chief criticizes Oakland residents for response
http://dlvr.it/TTkg71
