funding THE MHAJFD
The eight municipalities we serve formed together under the Fire Protection and Rescue Service Agreement in 1979 to create the currently named Mount Horeb Area Joint Fire Department. After final approval of the annual Department budget each September, the budgeted sum is raised by each of the municipalities upon the equalized valuation of the properties within the area served by the MHAJFD.
Our approved 2026 budget focuses on the pressing needs of our EMS response, establishing the funds for a Paid on Premise compensation model. This decision was made after unsuccessful attempts to mitigate an 80% increase in call volume from 2020-2025 through pager pay incentives; FDMH continues to have the highest call volume in our region but offers the lowest compensation. Mid-year 2025 metrics show calls are up 13.5% from the same period in 2024; we expect to surpass 1,500 EMS calls in 2025, and over 600 fire calls.
Our Fire and EMS ranks include 92 members, 10 of whom are full-time staff. In addition to responding to calls, we perform fire safety inspections and reviews of businesses, teach Fire and EMS public education, attend training on ever-changing skills, along with many additional assignments on behalf of our community.
A 3.9% budget increase was approved in September of 2025 after an original request of 5.5%, with $230,000 allocated for the new Paid on Premise program. This document covers all category proposals made before the final vote, including additions and subtractions. Fire District Board meetings take place in the Public Safety Building every other month on the third Wednesday at 7:30PM (January, March, May, July, September, November), with committees meeting on an as-needed basis.