News & Events

EBOLA UPDATE / / / Jun 8, 2026

The risk of U.S. spread remains low. Please review high-consequence infectious disease protocols and ensure travel screening is included in patient assessments.

• Low Risk: Returning travelers are screened at airports, deemed very low-to-medium risk, and are only quarantined if they exhibit symptoms.

• Dispatch Notification: Known travelers' addresses will be flagged via 9-1-1 dispatch during the 21-day incubation window (Marathon County currently has zero).

• Mutual Aid: Check procedures with neighboring health departments if your agency operates outside Marathon County.

EARLY "DRY" SYMPTOMS

• Sore throat

• Fever

• Headache 

• Fatigue

• Muscle, joint, or back pain

LATER "WET" SYMPTOMS (usually develop 4–5 days later)

• Vomiting and nausea

• Abdominal pain

• Severe watery diarrhea

• Unexplained bruising or bleeding (such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in stool/vomitus)  

CDC RESOURCES FOR EMS

• Ebola Disease Basics

• Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation

• Health Alert Notice (HAN): Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda

• Interim Guidance for EMS Systems and 9-1-1 Answering Points

• Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (includes PPE training videos)

Questions? Contact the Marathon County Health Department at 715-261-1900 (After hours: 715-370-9687).

MISC UPDATES / / / Jun 7, 2026

TRAINING & EVENTS

• Next week is Safety Stand Down week—lots of good webinars upcoming!

• Marathon County Emergency Management is working with WisDOT to schedule TIM training in the fall—when is best for you? Take this survey to provide your input.

• Check the calendar for more upcoming training & events. Have anything to add? Let us know!

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

• FEMA's FP&S, AFG, and SAFER grants open until June 22

• $1,000 WEMSA scholarship for med training; apply by Jul 1

NEW INFO

• High-Consequence Infectious Disease update: review screening questions to identify patients with potential ebola exposure

• NVFC published its Volunteer Recruitment & Retention research in May. Check out the high points in this infographic, and visit NVFC for more information and the full report.

• UTV/ATV law changes went live June 1. Read more in the ATV/UTV Regulations PDF linked on this page. Highlights:

  • Operators and passengers are all required to wear a seatbelt in a UTV.

  • Intentionally causing damage with an ATV or UTV can cost you up to three times the cost to repair the damage.

  • ATV or UTV operators may not tow objects bearing any person on a trail or route. Towing persons on ice is limited to 10 mph.

  • UTVs now have window tint restrictions.

HELPING STORM RECOVERY

Here is a running list of ways to help the storm victims from the Ringle tornado and storm damage. Have something to add? Let us know!

Fundraiser Events

4/23 6a-6p: ACE parking lot in Weston; burgers, brats, bacon, and other cookout dishes. 

4/23 11a-2p: Cookout at 5209 Schofield Ave in Weston from 11-2p for tornado victims and fire departments. 

5/17 10a-6p: Sponsor a Family Fundraiser, Birnamwood Group Fitness

5/31 12p-6p: Ringle Relief Benefit, Hillside Pub

Donation Drives

• Town of Ringle fund (still active): donate at any Incredible Bank location; specify the Ringle Tornado Fund.

• Emergency Relief Fund: Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin & United Way; see the fund's impact and apply for help here.

• Disaster Relief Fund, Salvation Army

• Donate clothes at the United Way Community Closet

Volunteer Opportunities

• Mount Olive volunteer group, Mon-Fri, serving 8a-5p

• St. John, staff their food truck

• Salvation Army

• Red Cross

FRCE SEEKING STORIES / / / Mar 16, 2026

Remember the Stress First Aid class you have to take for FF1? The First Responder Center for Excellence is seeking first responders to share short stories or experiences for a future Stress First Aid course. What they're looking for:

• When job stress begins to show up at home or in personal interactions

• Recognizing emotional or physical stress signals and learning to respond instead of react

• The emotional toll of difficult calls—even when the outcome is considered a "success"

• Gaining perspective after feeling like you fell short and turning it into growth

• Small moments of empathy and awareness that make a big impact

• Times when someone said "I'm fine" but was actually struggling

• Lessons of resilience—how adversity helped you grow stronger

If you have a story that fits this theme, please contact Chief Dena Ali at dali@frcmail.org.