In 1992, representatives from the towns of Fulton and Albion, parts of the towns of Porter and Sumner, and the City of Edgerton came together to gain some economies of scale and consolidation by forming the EFPD. This made it possible for firefighters and equipment based centrally in Edgerton to serve residents in all of these communities.You'll find links below that will allow you to see the the original formation documents and subsequent revisions. There also is a history and analysis of the District's decision to summarily fire three full-time dispatcher/drivers for "budget reasons."

A lawsuit against the EFPD was brought by the Association of Firefighters Local #580 of IAFF in 2003 because three full-time employee positions were terminated and the District had refused to bargain. While the lawsuit and subsequent appeals moved through the court system the EFPD had to escrow approximately $200,000 each year to build up a fund that could pay back wages and benefits to the firefighters if the District's appeals failed. The EFPD received a major setback on August 16, 2007 from the Court of Appeals District IV. (Click here to read the Decision.) Undaunted, the District started to negotiate a settlement with the firefighters' union but also decided to continue the appeal process with the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Petition for Review was filed by Richard Grant on September 14. Motion Responses were submitted by David Rice and John Keil on September 25. On November 6, the Court announced its refusal to hear this case..

Evidence that its commissioners had decided to stretch out the settlement process for as long as possible is found in the EFPD budget for 2008. (It will affect the tax bill you receive in December, 2007). $200,000. has been set aside for "Wages & Benefits pending," and another $20,000 has been designated for "Professional Services" (attorney fees). Here is what that will do to your property taxes --

Over the last four years, roughly 40 % of the EFPD's operating money has been diverted into escrow by a labor dispute that should have been settled long ago. Click here to see details of the 2008 budget that the EFPD adopted on October 4, 2007.

You won't see these numbers directly. Starting in 2006, Fulton was required to take the "FIRE DISTRICT" line off its tax bills and include the EFPD levy as an expense item in the Town's budget because the EFPD is not a taxing authority like Rock County, the Edgerton School District and Blackhawk Technical College.

By law, the Town of Fulton has to provide fire protection and emergency medical services to its citizens Click here to see the applicable Wisconsin statutes. By most accounts, the EFPD has served this function admirably. EFPD subcontracts EMS to Curtis Ambulance.

When the EFPD was set up in 1992, the original representatives of participating municipalities formed agreements, subsequently amended, that determined policymaking representation and how taxes would be levied and collected. Today, the only influence Fulton citizens have over the EFPD is through one commissioner appointed by our Town Board Chairman. In 1992, chairman Richard (Jim) Linsley represented Fulton in the establishment of the EFPD, and then appointed himself as Fulton's first trustee. (EFPD trustees are now called commissioners.) Except for a very brief period in 2007, Fulton chairs have continued Mr. Linsley's commissioner appointment. Click here to see the collection of EFPD Agreement documents.

The atmosphere of "taxation without representation" and Mr. Linsley's refusal to solicit advice from Fulton citizens throughout the firefighters' dismissal-cum-lawsuit debacle caused John and Marilyn Eyster to lead a group of concerned citizens who called for an advisory referendum in the Spring, 2007 Elections. Click here to see an article researched by Marilyn Eyster to make the case for holding the referendum.

The referendum, which passed 413 - Yes to 294 - No was ignored by Mr. Linsley and his alternate representative to the EFPD.

For more information about the Edgerton Fire Department, click here --> EFD website