Fitchburg mayor, council proclaim May observances honoring seniors, police, EMS and biking
May 13, 2026 | Fitchburg, Dane County, Wisconsin
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Mayor Julia Rata Frata and the Fitchburg Common Council on May 12 issued four proclamations recognizing groups and activities the city said are central to community life: Older Americans Month, Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, Emergency Medical Services Week, and National Bike Month with related local observances.
The proclamations were presented in sequence. Frata read the Older Americans Month proclamation, saying the 2026 theme, “Champion Your Health,” emphasizes prevention, wellness and active management of health for older residents. A representative from the Fitchburg Senior Center said the center "sent out 100 invitations" and typically receives "about 30 seniors that are 90 and older" for an event that honors people aged 90 and above.
The council next proclaimed May 11–17 as Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The proclamation noted that, nationally, 111 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2025 and that Wisconsin’s law enforcement memorial lists 283 fallen officers. A police department representative thanked the council, calling it “an honor to serve the community and to serve alongside all the dedicated police officers that we have here at the city of Fitchburg.”
Officials then proclaimed Emergency Medical Services Week for May 20–(dates as stated in the proclamation) to recognize EMS personnel. The proclamation described Fitzrana EMS as a municipal district established on 09/11/1977 that now staffs three stations and responds to more than 5,000 calls annually across Fitchburg and Verona. The EMS chief, speaking after the proclamation, said crews were "literally right now, out there helping people" and called himself "the mouthpiece" ensuring crews have what they need.
The final proclamation designated May as National Bike Month, May 15 as Bike to Work Day and May 31–June 7 as Wisconsin Bike Week. The council document cited the League of American Bicyclists’ recognitions (silver Bicycle Friendly Community in 2015, 2019 and 2023; bronze in 2012) and noted the city’s 35 bicycle-friendly businesses. A member of the bike and pedestrian committee praised the city’s bike infrastructure and advocacy, saying, “I just—I love biking. I think everybody should be able to do it.”
Each proclamation was presented by the mayor "along with members of the common council" and was read into the record as a formal proclamation dated May 12, 2026. No roll-call votes or motions were recorded on the transcript; the proclamations were read and acknowledged with brief remarks by invited representatives from the groups being recognized.
The meeting moved on after the proclamations and brief remarks; no additional formal actions related to these proclamations were recorded in the transcript.
The proclamations were presented in sequence. Frata read the Older Americans Month proclamation, saying the 2026 theme, “Champion Your Health,” emphasizes prevention, wellness and active management of health for older residents. A representative from the Fitchburg Senior Center said the center "sent out 100 invitations" and typically receives "about 30 seniors that are 90 and older" for an event that honors people aged 90 and above.
The council next proclaimed May 11–17 as Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The proclamation noted that, nationally, 111 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2025 and that Wisconsin’s law enforcement memorial lists 283 fallen officers. A police department representative thanked the council, calling it “an honor to serve the community and to serve alongside all the dedicated police officers that we have here at the city of Fitchburg.”
Officials then proclaimed Emergency Medical Services Week for May 20–(dates as stated in the proclamation) to recognize EMS personnel. The proclamation described Fitzrana EMS as a municipal district established on 09/11/1977 that now staffs three stations and responds to more than 5,000 calls annually across Fitchburg and Verona. The EMS chief, speaking after the proclamation, said crews were "literally right now, out there helping people" and called himself "the mouthpiece" ensuring crews have what they need.
The final proclamation designated May as National Bike Month, May 15 as Bike to Work Day and May 31–June 7 as Wisconsin Bike Week. The council document cited the League of American Bicyclists’ recognitions (silver Bicycle Friendly Community in 2015, 2019 and 2023; bronze in 2012) and noted the city’s 35 bicycle-friendly businesses. A member of the bike and pedestrian committee praised the city’s bike infrastructure and advocacy, saying, “I just—I love biking. I think everybody should be able to do it.”
Each proclamation was presented by the mayor "along with members of the common council" and was read into the record as a formal proclamation dated May 12, 2026. No roll-call votes or motions were recorded on the transcript; the proclamations were read and acknowledged with brief remarks by invited representatives from the groups being recognized.
The meeting moved on after the proclamations and brief remarks; no additional formal actions related to these proclamations were recorded in the transcript.
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