Archive

ICS-300 AND ICS-400 / / / Jul 13, 2025

Have members in need of ICS-300 or ICS-400?

ICS-300 will be September 16-18 at CWA. Details & registration here. Recommended for fire officers.

ICS-400 will be October 21-22 at the Emergency Management campus in Wausau. Details & registration here.

SAFER RECRUITING FF/EMT / / / Jun 26, 2025

South Area Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) District is recruiting to create an eligibility list for future full-time Firefighter/Paramedic positions. Anticipated start in January 2026. Eligibility requirements are Firefighter 1 and EMT (any level) or Paramedic only and we will sponsor firefighter 1 training. Preference will be given to those with firefighter 1 and Paramedic or who are currently enrolled in Paramedic. Tuition reimbursement program for Paramedic is available! Contact Deputy Chief Eric Lang for more information.

SPILLED BEES PROTOCOL / / / Jun 22, 2025

Wisconsin has released a plan for responding to a "bee spill." Trucks transport honeybees, and when an accident happens, a spill can release millions of agitated bees.

Here are a few tips:

• Use red lights to approach at night (bees are drawn to white).

• A fog hose stream can calm them.

• AFFF foam will kill bees if needed.

Read the full plan for more information and contact info for local bee experts—check it out and share with your crew.

CURRENT LEGISLATION / / / Jun 10, 2025

Several new bills introduced in 2025 could have a major impact on fire and EMS operations—especially for rural departments like ours in Marathon County. Click here for a summary of key federal legislation, how it affects us, and who to contact to show support.

FVTC JOB POSTING / / / Jun 10, 2025

Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton is looking for a Fire & EMS Operations Manager. Check out the full job description and apply here.

BROSLAW TAPE RECALL / / / Jun 5, 2025

Do you have Broselow Pediatric Emergency Rainbow Tape on your service? Is it labeled AirLife?

Check your model against the information in this recall document. 

Some have been recalled due to incorrect information on defibrillation and medication dosages.

EM TRAINING REQUESTS / / / Jun 1, 2025

Wisconsin Emergency Management is accepting training requests for courses to be held between August 2025 and June 2026. The request window closes June 10, 2025.

If your department is interested in hosting a course, submit the request form by June 9 (minimum of 15 students required).

ICS-300 and ICS-400 are planned for fall in Wausau—reach out if you're interested.

Have you seen the Practical ICS training? This 2-day class puts your team in command of real-world scenarios in a scale-model city—perfect for sharpening leadership, managing resources, and developing a response strategy.

Questions? Contact Phil Rentmeester: phil.rentmeester@marathoncounty.gov, 715-261-1229

Documents:

• Classes available through funding

• Training Request Form

• Instructors

MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS / / / Jun 1, 2025

Marathon County Emergency Management has started a Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Team and is recruiting team members. These members will work in a variety of roles, including, but not limited to, first aid, community preparedness outreach, damage assessments, assistance in the EOC, etc. Click here for a flyer. If you would like fliers and/or pamphlets about the team, contact Kelly at 715-261-1228.

NTC FALL 2025 FIRE SCHEDULE / / / May 28, 2025

The Northcentral Technical College fall schedule for fire has been set. Download the PDF here.

Available Continuing Education classes:

• Certified Firefighter I

• Haz Mat Operations

• Certified Firefighter II

• Certified Driver/Operator, Aerial

Visit the Fire Service Courses page for more information.

MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY / / / May 13, 2025

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!

The Interagency Council on Mental Health (ICMH) is seeking your input on improving mental health services. The council, created in 2024, aims to develop a statewide action plan through collaboration with state agencies and community stakeholders.

Check out the survey here. They're collecting responses until June 30. Learn more about the council on the DHS website, and reach out to DHSMentalHealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov if you have any questions.

INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION / / / Mar 25, 2025

The Wisconsin Technical College System wants your input!

There is a proposal to set the Fire and Emergency Services Instructor (FESI) certification to non-expiring. Currently, FESI instructors must renew their certification every five years. The proposal would align the FESI certification with the other fire certs that do not expire.

If the change is approved, anyone with a current or expired certification in their portfolio would be issued a new non-expiring certification. This would change the process of the AHJ when vetting potential instructors.

Want to weigh in? Click here to provide your input to WTCS.

FIRE INVESTIGATION / / / Mar 6, 2025

NTC is hosting a FREE two-day course on Fire Investigation for First Responders. It's Apr 26 and 27 at the Wausau NTC campus from 8a-4p and lunch is provided. Email firetraining@ntc.edu to register.

MSA UEBSS RECALL / / / Feb 26, 2025

Do you have an MSA G1 (2018 NFPA) with Extendaire II or an MSA RIT system? 

If so, follow the directions in this document to see if your product is affected by this recall.

DRAFT PORTAGE MABAS CARDS / / / Jan 30, 2025

Portage County has shared their draft MABAS cards. Please review them here. Search for your department and make sure that they are using your resources appropriately. Reach out to Kyle S (or us) if changes need to be made.

DNR TRAINING IN ANTIGO / / / Jan 27, 2025

The Antigo DNR will be hosting the Basics of Wildland Fire Suppression class Feb 22, 9a-4p. Per NFPA 1051, this is required for any FD member responding to wildland fires. There is no cost. Pre-register to Kendra Jansky by Feb 14. More info in the training calendar.

UPCOMING MEETING / / / Jan 26, 2025

Our next meeting is at Maine FD on February 12th, starting at 6:30pm. If you haven't sent in your Apparatus Availability forms, please do so ASAP so we can get those sent out to make sure our new cards are accurate. New cards need to be sent out to any department on your cards 30 days prior to them being effective. Cards go live April 1st, which means we need all final cards turned in by March 1st. Please reach out if you have any questions.

APPARATUS AVAILABILITY DUE / / / Jan 8, 2025

Reminder! Apparatus Availability forms are due. Please send them to us ASAP so departments can start building run cards. These get updated once every two years.

Download the blank form as a Word or PDF document.

2% DUES SELF-CERT IS OPEN / / / Jan 1, 2025

Fire Chiefs: complete your self-certification at the eSLA site (use the Chrome web browser). If you're a new Chief without an eSLA account, you must register for one; you cannot use the previous Chief's account. Email DSPSSBFireDues@Wisconsin.gov for assistance. 

BELL RINGING BATTLE / / / Dec 19, 2024

Easton, Hewitt, Ringle, and Wausau each took a 2-hour shift ringing at local stores in a friendly competition to see who could raise the most for the Salvation Army. Together, we raised almost $2,500! Ringle took the win this time, collecting $743.20.

NTC UPDATES / / / Dec 9, 2024

Is there a fire cert training you need? Fill out this request form to let us know!

Interested in joining our Fire Advisory Board? We are always looking for new/additional members! We typically hold meetings twice a year at our Merrill Campus. There is also a Zoom Option. For more information, email Sandie Shorey.

LITHIUM ION BATTERY RESEARCH / / / Nov 14, 2024

FSRI Launches Program Take C.H.A.R.G.E. of Battery Safety with resources for both the Public and First Responders.