Project Proposal Report: DeForest-Windsor Fire & EMS Station No. 2

Executive Summary

During the week of July 14, the Village Boards of DeForest and Windsor were presented with Phase 1 plans for a proposed second Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station. This development represents a significant investment in public infrastructure, directly aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing community safety, health outcomes, and institutional resilience.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The construction of a new Fire and EMS station is a critical step toward building a more sustainable and resilient community, with direct contributions to the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By reducing emergency response times, the new station will ensure more timely access to critical medical care, directly contributing to the reduction of mortality and improving health outcomes for residents.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This project constitutes the development of quality, reliable, and resilient public infrastructure designed to support community well-being and economic development.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The primary objective of the station is to make the DeForest-Windsor community safer and more resilient. It strengthens the capacity to protect lives and property, a core target of making human settlements inclusive, safe, and sustainable.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The expansion of Fire and EMS services demonstrates a commitment to building effective, accountable, and inclusive public institutions at the local level.

Project Details and Phasing

Phase 1 Presentation

The initial plans presented to the governing boards mark the first official step in the project’s approval and development process. Key details from this phase are outlined below.

1. Proposal: Development of a second Fire and EMS station to serve the growing needs of the DeForest and Windsor communities.
2. Jurisdiction: A joint project under the purview of the DeForest-Windsor Fire & EMS department.
3. Current Status: Phase 1 plans are under review by the DeForest and Windsor Village Boards following their presentation.

Proposed Location and Strategic Importance

The strategic placement of the new station is fundamental to achieving its objectives related to SDG 3 and SDG 11.

• Location: The proposed site is on North Towne Road in Windsor, situated south of the Windsor Road roundabout near Highway 51.
• Impact on Community Resilience (SDG 11): This location is chosen to decrease emergency response times to underserved or growing areas, thereby enhancing the overall safety and resilience of the entire service district against emergencies such as fires, accidents, and medical events.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses the planning for a new Fire and EMS (Emergency Medical Services) station. This initiative directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals focused on health, infrastructure, and community safety.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The provision of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a critical component of a community’s healthcare system. A new station improves the capacity to respond to medical emergencies, accidents, and other health crises, thereby safeguarding the well-being of residents.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The construction of a new fire and EMS station is a direct investment in public infrastructure. This type of development is essential for creating resilient and functional communities that can support human well-being.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The project aims to make the DeForest and Windsor communities safer and more resilient. Fire and EMS services are fundamental to disaster risk reduction and management at the local level, protecting lives and property from emergencies like fires and medical incidents.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the project’s purpose, the following specific SDG targets are relevant:

1. Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.”
   • Explanation: Although the context is a developed country, the principle applies. Building a new EMS station directly strengthens the local capacity to manage health risks by ensuring faster and more effective responses to medical emergencies.
2. Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.”
   • Explanation: A fire and EMS station is a piece of critical, reliable infrastructure that directly supports human well-being by providing essential safety services to the community. The plan for a “second” station aims to improve the accessibility and reliability of these services across the villages.
3. Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and… decrease the direct economic losses… caused by disasters…”
   • Explanation: The primary goal of a new fire and EMS station is to reduce the impact of local-scale disasters such as fires and medical emergencies. By improving response capabilities, the project aims to reduce potential deaths, injuries (“people affected”), and property damage (“economic losses”).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article focuses on the initial planning phase, so it does not contain quantitative data. However, it mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Existence of local disaster risk reduction strategies: The article states that “The DeForest and Windsor Village Boards were presented with phase 1 plans.” This presentation of formal plans is a direct indicator of local governments adopting and implementing disaster risk reduction strategies, which aligns with Indicator 11.b.2.
• Number of essential service facilities: The article explicitly refers to plans for a “second Fire and EMS station.” The number of such facilities per capita or per geographic area is a direct indicator of infrastructure development (SDG 9) and community resilience (SDG 11).
• Improved emergency response times (Implied): While not stated, the fundamental purpose of building an additional emergency station is to reduce the time it takes for fire and EMS crews to reach an incident. Reduced response time is a key performance indicator for progress towards Targets 3.d and 11.5.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hngnews.com