Cooperative Principle #7 – Concern for Community

Between rain and snow throughout the region and the greater Midwest, flooding continues to worsen throughout our local communities. Dairyland Vice President and CIO Nate Melby also serves as Fire Chief for the Town of Campbell, located on French Island. In both of his roles, safety is of the utmost importance - at work and at home in the Town of Campbell.

The Town of Campbell is currently experiencing severe flooding which has the potential to worsen in the coming days. As a result, safety measures are being taken to reduce impacts on homes and businesses.

“Sandbagging has ramped up,” said Nate. As Fire Chief, Nate worked with Wisconsin Emergency Management and La Crosse County to request use of a sandbagging machine which can speed up efforts and help reduce the manual and physical effort. “The sandbagging machine will help ensure more people have access to the resources they need to keep their homes, businesses and families safe from flood damage.”

Volunteers gathered at the Town Hall in Campbell last week to help fill sandbags. “Sandbags are being used to reinforce existing levees and are being prepared in case water continues to rise to higher levels and new levees are needed,” said Nate. Additional volunteer needs are posted to their Facebook page along with information regarding road closures.

“I’d like to emphasize the importance of 200% accountability and the utilization of our Human Performance tools when preparing for and during floods,” said Nate. “My home was destroyed in the 2001 floods, so as we prepare for this, it’s even more important to me that we do everything we can to help and work safely while we do it."

Mississippi River Flooding Prompts Evacuations, Sandbagging (usnews.com)