Fire

Mitch Waite
1511 12th Street South
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 421-6278

The Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department is a full time, professional fire department, operating with a chief, three shift command assistant chiefs, a fire marshal, and 27 firefighters. Department members also are emergency medical technicians who operate the city's ambulances for medical emergencies and inter hospital transfers. Many of the EMTs are certified as paramedics and as hazardous materials technicians.

The department has two fire/ambulance stations - one at East Riverview Expressway and 12th Street South and the other at West Grand Avenue and 17th Avenue. Departmental equipment includes three ambulances, three pumpers, an aerial ladder truck, a specialized rescue truck, a rescue boat, a hazardous materials response trailer, and two staff cars. Water and ice, confined entry and hazardous materials rescues also are the fire department's responsibility. A fire department training ground, complete with four-story training tower, is located adjacent to the east side station.

The department administers city burning ordinances. Outdoor burning requires a permit from the fire department. Free services offered are fire station tours; home fire safety surveys (upon request by the home owner or occupant); speakers bureau offering speakers and printed information about fire prevention; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid; blood pressure screenings from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at both fire stations; juvenile fire setters program for children who have started fires; a Christmas toy repair project; a loan closet providing crutches, wheel chairs, walkers, and canes (security deposits are required); business fire inspections twice a year; "Keep the Wreath Green" program, a fire safety reminder at Christmas time; a Silent Night Parade and memorial service in October during Fire Prevention Week honoring firefighters and others who have died in fires; a fire department history museum at Station 2 at West Grand Avenue and 17fh Avenue.

The department makes the following requests.

• pull to the right and stop for lights and sirens of emergency vehicles responding to fires or ambulance calls
• display easily read house numbers, as required by city ordinance
• make sure smoke detectors are installed in each home or apartment and are in proper working order
• adopt a hydrant and keep snow cleared from fire hydrants.

Links

• Wisconsin State Firefighter Memorial
• Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association
• Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin
• Wisconsin EMS