Emergency services in the rural Laona area are enhanced and streamlined through a Community Facilities project funded in part with a $2,093,000.00 grant

An inspirational sign* at the new Laona Rescue Unit facility reads: “Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.” That is certainly true as the persistence and dedication of members of the rescue team led to a new building rescue unit.

The previous facility that housed the rescue team failed to pass building inspections a few years ago. It would have cost half a million dollars to just make repairs. The building owners determined that necessary improvements were not financially feasible and services in the area were temporarily reduced. Emergency ambulance services to area townships and the Forest County Potawatomi Tribal reservation were unattainable. 

Recognizing the need, the rescue unit team took action and painstakingly conducted studies and research to identify a solution. After years of planning, the unit is now serving its 405-square-mile community in Forest County from a brand-new state-of-the-art facility. Construction was d earlier this year.

The new Emergency Management System facility is capable of housing six ambulance vehicles; provides classroom training space, a dayroom kitchen and operations emergency command center. There is even a walk-in triage room where people can go for medical assistance.

The location of the building, just south of Laona on Highway 32, was identified based on a feasibility study, which was paid for by the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe. The more central location helps reduce response time and provide emergency services to the townships of Blackwell, Carter, Caswell, Laona, Ross, Wabeno, and the Forest County Potawatomi Reservation.

For President and Service Director Annie Krawze, one of the most helpful features is the medical supplies storage room. It combines two storage spaces that were previously located in separate locations, in Laona and Wabeno.

“This is my favorite room,” she said, showing the new supply room. “It’s huge for us, to be able to keep supplies together and organized in one place.”

What’s more, people can now visit the new walk-in triage room rather than drive nearly an hour to the nearest hospital.

“We wanted something easily accessible people could get to quickly and we could get them stabilized and into an ambulance for care,” Krawze said.

She recently showed the new facility to Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Lillian Salerno and Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa.

“It is clear that people really sat down here and thought about what they needed,” Salerno said. “People everywhere, regardless of where they live, need access to affordable, quality, and timely healthcare. Investments for projects like Laona Rescue Unit demonstrates our commitment to expanding access to critical infrastructure and high-quality health care services for the people of Laona and the surrounding areas.” 

Established in 1974, the Laona Rescue Unit, which is more locally known as the “Laona Rescue Squad,” serves six townships totaling nearly 4,000 regular residents – that number surges during peak returns of the “snowbirds” to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. A team of 15 paid employees and five volunteers respond to approximately 500 calls per year.

This Community Facilities program project was funded in part with a $2,093,000.00 grant. More than 100 types of projects are eligible for the Community Facilities program. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

Those interested in applying should contact their local Wisconsin Rural Development office for information about additional funding, grant and loan application procedures and eligibility. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program/wi.

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