By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Jul 05, 2008 at 5:07 AM

More so than the musicians -- and even the bartenders -- members of the Milwaukee Fire Department have one of the most important jobs at Summerfest.

Unlike those others, though, the MFD crews will have a more successful festival if they aren't busy at all.

"The ultimate goal is a safe and fun environment as possible," explained firefighter Pat Bertoni, who was manning the department's command center just to the side of the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse.

While the familiar red-shirted security staff does most of the patrolling at Henry W. Maier Festival Park, the fire department is on hand to take care of more serious situations.

Several firefighters man the command post while MFD Emergency Medical Technicians patrol the grounds on specially-equipped Trek bicycles. The EMTs are all volunteers.

"Bell (Ambulance) handles most of the situations," Bertoni said. "If something is a little more serious, like seizures or diabetic reactions, then we'll come in and take care of it."

The department keeps an engine on the site, tucked away out of the view of the crowds. The crew is a regularly-assigned team. To help, Summerfest has a number of hose boxes and hydrants scattered about, as well, in the event of a fire breaking out in one of the main stages or buildings. The crews also use golf carts to get about, and transport equipment or individuals needing assistance.

Big crowds can make the job difficult; trying to navigate through the swarms of fest-goers is difficult enough for those trying to get from one stage to another with a beer in hand ... it's even harder for emergency crews responding for a call.

"We move slowly and carefully," Bertoni said. "We have a couple of vehicles available in case we have a bigger situation that needs attention."

Aside from their obvious duties, the fire department's presence at Summerfest is also PR-oriented. Though tucked away in a somewhat obscure, out-of-the-way location, the firefighters manning the command post hand out band-aids to those with minor cuts and bruises.

They also give little-Big-Giggers a chance to interact with a firefighter, up close and personal. A lot of kids get to see firefighters firsthand only during a once-a-year school visit.

At Summerfest, the can come up, shake hands, get plastic fire helmets and badge stickers. If they're lucky, they might even be able to get their picture taken with a firefighter.

"It's a great opportunity for us to reach out to the community," Bertoni said.

The department also has its "Survive Alive House" on the grounds. Children can go through the exhibit and learn about fire prevention and what to do if a fire should break out in their home.

During an 11-day festival that brings more than 800,000 people through the gates and has an ample supply of beer and other adult beverages, it's inevitable that strange things will happen.

Bertoni, when asked about some of the stranger things he's seen at Summerfest, simply smiled for a moment.

"Human nature," he said. "Watching people and what goes on. People start to drink and sometimes, strange things happen.

"It's a lot of people-watching and we're very well received by the public in general. Being around all these people is the best part of it."