WI Firefighters Booed at South Beloit, IL Parade by Angry Residents

Oct. 14, 2024
The unwelcome response came on the first day Beloit, WI, crews started providing service to the IL community.

Community anger over a plan to address chronic staffing shortages of firefighters in South Beloit boiled over Friday during the annual homecoming game.

An agreement went into effect Friday morning for the Town of Beloit Fire Department to staff the South Beloit Fire Department as a way to solve longstanding staffing shortages.

An ambulance crew from the Wisconsin department participating in the parade and at the homecoming game was booed and yelled at, according to The Kaukauna Community News

Many in the community opposed the plan, and they didn't roll out the welcome mat to the EMS and firefighters who will be answering their calls for help. 

“Whether you believe in this decision or not, the crews are doing the best that they can. It is very disheartening that the ambulance crew was booed and yelled at during the homecoming parade and at the football game,” the Town of Beloit Fire Department wrote. 

“Rather then doing this, please reach out to your local counselors, board members or the fire chief for any concerns that you may have. Let the firefighters/medics do their jobs without feeling threatened.”

 

 

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.