News & Events

WI MABAS CONFERENCE / / / Sep 17, 2025

The Wisconsin State MABAS conference is next Friday & Saturday in Steven's Point. Check out the Agenda and Register here.

RADIO GRANTS / / / Sep 17, 2025

Is your municipality still using VHF WISCOM? The FY26 Daily Use and Interoperable Radio Grant Programs are now open. Applications are due by January 15, 2026 (11:59 PM). These grants help local agencies purchase radios and equipment needed to transition from the VHF WISCOM system to the newer 7/800 MHz WISCOM system. Read more at the Emergency Communications page here.

USFA FIRE SUMMIT / / / Sep 13, 2025

The 2025 U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control is happening on October 7. The USFA will host its annual summit in-person and online, bringing together fire service leaders, federal partners, and up to 2,500 participants to address challenges in operations, safety, training, and community risk reduction. Click to learn more and register.

MEASLES IN WI / / / Sep 13, 2025

Wisconsin is experiencing a measles outbreak in Oconto County, with 36 confirmed cases and two hospitalizations as of September 12, 2025. Measles is highly contagious, spreading through the air and lingering in enclosed spaces for up to two hours—posing a serious exposure risk for first responders. Check out this one-page guidance sheet for key information on recognition and protective measures. The Marathon County Health Department is ready to provide support or answer questions.

MISC UPDATES / / / Sep 6, 2025

Annual 9/11 Silent Memorial Walk in Marathon City: Join us! We meet at 6:30 pm at the Marathon Fire Dept. and the parade/walk will start at 7:00 pm. You could bring a piece of apparatus from your Department or walk up the hill (Main St.) in gear or uniform. All Fire, EMS and law enforcement are invited. We will have a social after at our station. If you have any questions, contact Chief Darrin Hall (715-680-6632).

WEMA & MABAS Conferences, Stevens Point, Sep 22-27: The Wisconsin Emergency Management Association state conference starts with pre-conference training on Mon/Tue and the conference itself is Wed/Thu. The MABAS conference runs Fri-Sat. Check out the agendas: WEMA, MABAS. Registration links for WEMA only ($200), WEMA+MABAS ($300), or MABAS only ($125).

NTC Fire Training: A Certified Fire Officer I class has been added in Maine, running Oct 7 - Dec 9. Check out the flyer for more info and to register.

Registration is open for EMS Operations Management & Leadership courses through the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health. It's a virtual course taught over six sessions and costs $45. Get more information and register on their website.

FIRST RESPONDER OF THE YEAR / / / Aug 22, 2025

Nominations are starting to open for First Responder of the year.

To nominate someone, check which legislative district they work in, and click the link in this list: 35th, 69th, 85th, 86th, 87th. If they don't have a nomination form, reach out through their Contact form.

The winner will be invited to the State Capitol in Madison for a special recognition ceremony during an October Assembly Floor Session.

MISC. UPDATES / / / Aug 16, 2025

NTC's fall fire class lineup is out—click here for a PDF.

Looking for funding help related to hazardous materials response? CHEMTREC is coordinating six grants for $10,000. Read more and apply here.

WEATHER THIS WEEKEND / / / Aug 16, 2025

Storms this weekend may produce very heavy rain in short bursts, leading to localized flooding. Multiple rounds of precipitation could push totals high over several days, with more rain possible Sunday night and Monday. Extremes may be between 0.9 and 4.7 total inches of rain in Marathon County.