New Fire Chief, Fire Station On Hold

Two major issues for the Oak Creek Fire Department - finding a permanent replacement for ex-Fire Chief Brian Satula and building a new fire station - probably aren't going to be resolved anytime soon.

Mayor Dick Bolender said the city is holding off on a search for a new fire chief because of discussions about possible consolidation of area fire departments.

Several suburban leaders have supported studying whether to consolidate some services, including fire, as a way to cut costs.

"Consolidation has been thrown around, and we’re just kind of waiting. There’s no rush to make an error," Bolender said.

"Every municipality has a fire chief and a police chief. Does every community need a police and a fire chief? That's a question that has to be answered."

Tom Rosandich has been the acting Oak Creek fire chief .

Fire station on hold, too

Meanwhile, despite strong words about the deteoriating condition of one of the city's fire stations, plans to build a new one are at a standstill.

, 340 E. Puetz Road, is in need of major repairs and does not have adaquate living space, room for training, storage space and is not complaint with the Americans with Disabilities Act, City Administrator Gerald Peterson has said.

Late last year, the city formed an ad-hoc committee to study whether and how to replace the station. But that committee has met only twice, according to the city's website.

Bolender said it's simply a matter of not having the money to build. Plans may have also gone to the back-burner as city leaders zero in on redeveloping the old Delphi site and lakefront.

"We're going to have to make due with what we have," Bolender said. "When we can build it, we’ll build it."