Governor Evers signs order to fly flags at half-staff to honor fallen Wisconsin firefighters

Governor Tony Evers has signed Executive Order #222, mandating the flags of the United States and Wisconsin to fly at half-staff as a tribute to firefighters who died in the line of duty. The order was announced in a press release issued on Thursday, May 2. Flags will be lowered on Sunday, May 5, in observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The lowering coincides with National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, which was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in 2023. "Our firefighters are brave and dedicated individuals who show up for us and our communities on some of our worst days and in dangerous situations to help keep us safe, sacrificing their health and safety when they do," said Gov. Evers.
WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

Western Lakes Fire District welcomes new ladder truck

PHOTOS: Firetrucks during their years of service become a highly recognizable part of the communities they serve. Such is the case for Ladder Truck 53, which began serving the Oconomowoc area in 1997. Recognizable for its yellow color and Raccoon mascot on its bucket, the Pierce rear-mount platform truck has responded to numerous significant fires including the Baptist church explosion across from City Beach in 2008 and a five-alarm fire in downtown Oconomowoc in 2012. But for Western Lakes Fire District Chief Brad Bowen and others at the department, even its sound stands out from the others in the fleet. "It is going to sound weird but many of us can tell just by listening when that truck is responding. It has a very distinct engine sound as well as siren. It is going to take some getting used to the new one," he said.
Greater Milwaukee Today - Metered Site

Wisconsin Public Service Foundation providing $75,000 to enhance community safety through Rewarding Responders Grant

PHOTOS: The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation is continuing its support of the brave men and women who keep communities safe across the state. The foundation is offering $75,000 to help police, fire and emergency medical services agencies improve public safety. The funding is part of the foundation’s Rewarding Responders Grant program. Emergency response agencies can apply for a grant through June 15. The WPS Foundation’s Rewarding Responders Grant helps northeast and north central Wisconsin public safety agencies receive lifesaving equipment or training. Last year, these grants helped 42 agencies receive important safety tools such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), multigas detectors and emergency scene safety lights.
Wisconsin Public Service

Wausau Fire Department to hold live-burn training event next week

VIDEO: The Wausau Fire Department is expected to conduct a comprehensive training exercise in firefighting and fire investigation from May 6-8. This exercise will happen at a home located at 1514 North Second Street, at the intersection of Bridge Street. The training session is tailored for members of the Wausau Fire Department and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI). This unique training opportunity offers all members of the fire department invaluable hands-on firefighting experience. The highlight of the event will be the controlled burn of individual rooms within the structure on May 8, providing firefighters with realistic firefighting and rescue scenarios to enhance their skills and preparedness. Before proceeding with the live burns, extensive safety measures have been taken, including DNR approval, asbestos abatement, and thorough site preparation.
WSAW-TV CBS/MyNetworkTV/CW+ 7 Wausau

Beaver Dam Fire Department Earns ISO Rating 2

The Beaver Dam Fire Department has been awarded a Public Protection Classification of 2. The rating comes following a thorough review by the Insurance Services Office, or ISO, and is an improvement on the previous classification of 3 that was given in 2019. Beaver Dam Fire Chief Michael Wesle highlights several changes made since then that helped the department earn their 2 rating. “The main things within the department that have changed that have affected and improved our score come in relation to career staffing,” says Wesle. “So, the referendum that added six full-time personnel definitely helped us improve our score…we have all sorts of credits throughout our score…but for company personnel and our deployment analysis…basically, that that is…is how many firefighters are going out the door and what is our plan to get them out the door.”
WBEV-AM 1430/FM 95.3 Beaver Dam

De Pere firefighters rescue pelican entangled in fishing line off of shore in Voyageur Park

PHOTOS: After receiving a distress call recently, firefighters in De Pere helped to rescue a pelican that was entangled in a fishing line with a hook caught in its mouth and foot. A Facebook post from the De Pere Fire Rescue details the incident after a concerned citizen called first responders when they noticed a pelican that was possibly trapped in a fishing line near a walking trail north of Voyageur Park. When firefighters arrived, they saw a pelican off the shoreline in obvious distress. A firefighter was then able to secure the distressed pelican and bring it to shore. That was when firefighters discovered a fishing lure with a treble hook in its tongue and webbed foot. The hook was eventually removed from the pelican’s mouth and foot, and it was safely released back into the wild.
WFRV-TV CBS 5 Green Bay