Laona Rescue Unit - Laona, WI

Greenfire constructed a new EMS building for the Laona Rescue Unit. The building includes a three-bay apparatus service garage, a storage room, a training center and classroom, an office, and living quarters.

Making this project a reality was no small feat. Annie Krawze, President of Laona Rescue Unit spent countless hours applying for grants to fund a new facility for the rural EMS service, which services several communities in and around the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. But luckily, Annie wasn’t alone in her efforts. The Forest County Potawatomi, who is one of the communities Laona Rescue Unit serves, contributed funds towards a feasibility study to give the project the necessary footing to begin. In addition, all of Annie’s efforts in sourcing grants finally paid off, as the project had received full funding through grants from Governor Tony Evers administration and programs from the USDA through the offices of US Senator Tammy Baldwin.

The project began with tree clearing for construction of an insulated metal panel building with a masonry veneer facade at the entrance atop a reinforced slab on grade foundation with cast-in-place footings and foundation walls. A composite material connector connects the service garage to the administrative half which consists of steel stud framing, all new MEP systems and a substantial A/V equipment package. Sitework includes construction of service and access roads along with parking lots and solid waste disposal. It also included the construction of a 10,000 SF asphalt helipad for Flight for Life operations. Greenfire’s early involvement in the planning process with the design team at Gries Architectural Group helped bring their design to life.

To commend Annie for all her efforts and dedication to Laona EMS, the training center will be named “The Annie Krawze Mama Bear Training Center” in her honor. This new facility ensures the exceptional care that Laona Rescue Unit provides will continue for many more generations.