Fire and emergency services detail busy summer: manufacturing fire, Route 8 crash and Touch a Truck success

Fire and emergency services officials told council they have experienced a high volume of calls this summer and outlined several recent incidents. Assistant Chief Salinski reported July was one of the department's busiest months with 445 calls for service; the department provided mutual aid to neighboring communities 19 times and requested outside assistance 15 times.Why it matters: High call volume and several complex responses have strained resources and required interagency coordination.The fire department described a commercial fire at a cardboard manufacturing and packaging facility on Bavaria Road. The fire originated at a cutting machine and ignited scrap material that collected in a baling area; staff discovered the origin with the assistance of facility video. No injuries were reported. Multiple neighboring fire and EMS departments assisted, and the department staged crews overnight. The city thanked external partners and the Red Cross and 360Go for on-scene support.Officials also described a significant motor vehicle crash on Route 8 northbound involving a stake-body truck loaded with steel. The truck went off the road into woods and required Route 8 to be shut down for several hours while crews cleared trees and extricated the vehicle; the fire department credited the service and streets crews and mutual-aid partners with assisting in the response. Council and officials praised the Touch a Truck public event as a community outreach success that drew attendees and showcased emergency and service vehicles. No formal council action was taken; chiefs requested continued interdepartmental support and acknowledged the workload for dispatchers and crews.