Tucked away in the north woods of Wisconsin along Highway 32, there is a break in the trees. The current dirt roads leads to the future of safety in Forest County – the new home for the Laona EMS. Through many trials and tribulations, the Laona Squad persevered to find the funds, the property and the team to make this dream a reality. This EMS team serves a 400-mile area spanning several communities and the Forest County Potawatomi reservation. They are an essential part of the community and when they were faced with the realities of costly code updates in their former facility, they ventured down the path of a new building. Through multiple grants from the State of Wisconsin and the Federal Government, the new facility broke ground in June 2023 and will be completed this winter.

Greenfire assisted the Laona EMS team in putting on a groundbreaking ceremony on June 20, 2023. Guests of honor were founders of the Laona EMS, Board Members, Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Northwestern Wisconsin Regional Representative Anna Ringstad, project team members and several community members. Following heart-felt presentations from Laona Rescue Unit President, Annie Krawze; Vice President, Scott Reeves; Founding Member, Ward Leach; and the dignitaries, the crowd gathered for the ceremonial ground breaking. The event featured a local BBQ food truck serving food and beverages. All in attendance and the surrounding communities are grateful for this new facility and look forward to years of service from the Laona Rescue Unit.