# Wisconsin fire departments adapt to decline in volunteers

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/wort-89-9fm-madison-6475612/wisconsin-fire-departments-adapt-to-decline-in-volunteers
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/wort-89-9fm-madison-6475612/wisconsin-fire-departments-adapt-to-decline-in-volunteers.md
Podcast: [WORT 89.9FM Madison](https://stenobird.com/podcast/wort-89-9fm-madison-6475612)
Published: 2026-06-25T23:37:18+00:00
Episode link: https://soundcloud.com/wort-fm/wisconsin-fire-departments
Audio file: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2347346717-wort-fm-wisconsin-fire-departments.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/wort-89-9fm-madison-6475612/episodes/wisconsin-fire-departments-adapt-to-decline-in-volunteers
Duration seconds: 886

## Resource

More than 90 percent of Wisconsin’s fire departments are volunteer or mostly volunteer. But this model is showing signs of strain, according to a new report from Wisconsin Policy Forum. Volunteer levels are declining across the state, while 911 calls are on the rise. Mark Sommerhauser, communications director and researcher at the Policy Forum, joined our News Producer Faye Parks to explain how some fire departments are adapting. Image courtesy: Adam Fagen via Flickr.

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## Transcript

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