Wausau Fire Department

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

Today, Wisconsin Fire Chiefs had the opportunity to attend Exercise Patriot 26, a large-scale domestic disaster response training exercise taking place at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center and Fort McCoy.

WI-TF1 is a specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team made up of highly trained career firefighters from departments across Wisconsin. The Wausau Fire Department is extremely fortunate to have members of our department serving on this team.

These firefighters have the opportunity to deploy across Wisconsin and throughout the nation when major disasters strike. Just as importantly, they bring that experience, knowledge, and specialized training back to the Wausau Fire Department, making our entire department better prepared to respond when our community needs us most.

Today’s training was incredibly impressive. WI-TF1 members were conducting realistic urban search and rescue operations, including cutting through and searching collapsed concrete structures. The level of skill, coordination, and professionalism demonstrated by this team was outstanding.

We are proud of our Wausau firefighters who dedicate their time and expertise to Wisconsin Task Force 1, and we appreciate the opportunity to see firsthand the work they are doing to prepare for the worst while helping make all of us better rescuers.

Excellent work today, WI-TF1!

08/18/2026

Wausau Fire Department Responds to Fatal Structure Fire

At approximately 11:33 p.m. Monday night, the Wausau Fire Department responded to a reported residential structure fire in the 800 block of E. Wausau Avenue. Initial reports indicated that an occupant may be trapped inside.

The first-arriving engine arrived within three minutes and immediately began fire attack operations. A second engine arrived shortly afterward, and firefighters entered the residence to conduct a search.

Within minutes, firefighters located and removed an occupant from the residence. Wausau Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedics immediately began life-saving measures; unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful.

One male occupant and one cat died as a result of the fire.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the individual who lost their life. We recognize that behind every call involving a fatality is a family and community dealing with an unimaginable loss.

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Wausau Fire Department, Wausau Police Department, and Wisconsin State Fire Marshal’s Office. No additional information regarding the victim will be released at this time.

We also want to recognize the firefighters and Firefighter/Paramedics who responded to this incident and immediately began fire attack, search, rescue, and life-saving operations.

08/11/2026

New Extrication Equipment Helps Wausau Fire Department Respond When Every Second Counts.

The Wausau Fire Department recently purchased new vehicle extrication equipment made possible through a grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin.

Last year alone, Wausau Fire Department crews responded to 122 traffic accidents. While not every crash requires extrication, some involve patients who are trapped inside severely damaged vehicles and require firefighters to use specialized equipment to safely remove them.

Modern extrication tools are critical in these situations. They allow our crews to cut, spread, and remove damaged portions of vehicles more quickly and efficiently, helping us reach and remove patients when every second matters.

We are grateful to the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin for their support and investment in the Wausau Fire Department. This grant helps provide our firefighters with the equipment they need to better serve our community and, most importantly, help those involved in serious crashes.

A special thank you to Joe Rader Towing for supplying vehicles for our extrication training.

08/10/2026

🚪 CLOSE BEFORE YOU DOZE 🚪

One of the simplest things you can do to protect yourself and your family from a home fire happens before you go to sleep: close your bedroom door.

Fire research conducted by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute has shown a dramatic difference between rooms with an open door and those with a closed door during a fire.

🔥 Open-door rooms: Temperatures can exceed 1,000°F
🚪 Closed-door rooms: Average temperatures remained below 100°F during testing.

A closed door can slow the spread of heat, flames, and toxic smoke, giving you valuable extra time to escape or be rescued.

Today's homes can burn faster than homes of the past because of modern furnishings, construction materials, and open floor plans. That means you may have only a few minutes or less to get out.

Before you go to bed tonight:

✅ Close your bedroom door.
✅ Close your children's bedroom doors.
✅ Make sure smoke alarms are working on every level and outside sleeping areas.
✅ Have an escape plan and know two ways out of every bedroom.
✅ If a fire occurs, get out, stay out, and call 911.

And remember: If you can safely leave a room during a fire, close the door behind you. Don't open doors or windows just to "let the smoke out." Opening them can provide the fire with the oxygen it needs to grow.

Close Before You Doze. A closed door could give you and your family more time to survive.

Video in comments.

08/07/2026

WHAT IS A FIRE PARAMEDIC REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP?*

Have you ever wanted to become a firefighter/paramedic but weren’t sure how to get started?

The Wausau Fire Department, in partnership with **Northcentral Technical College (NTC)** and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, has created a new **18-month Firefighter/Paramedic Registered Apprenticeship** designed to give people the opportunity to **earn while they learn**.

But what exactly does that mean?

A registered apprenticeship combines **paid, on-the-job training with classroom education and hands-on instruction**. Apprentices will work with the Wausau Fire Department while completing the education and certifications needed to build a career as a firefighter/paramedic.

🎙️ In our latest Wausau Fire Department podcast, **Deputy Chief Justin Pluess** is joined by **Asia Bay, Project Manager at NTC**, and **Dr. Brad Gast, Dean of Workforce Training at NTC**, to talk about the program, how it works, what apprentices can expect, and why this opportunity is so important for the future of the fire service.

👉 **Want to earn while you learn?**
Listen to the podcast and learn more about this unique opportunity!

🔥 **Applications are now open for the Wausau Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Apprentice position.**

APPLY HERE – Firefighter/Paramedic https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wausauwi/jobs/5436151/firefighter-paramedic-apprentice?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&utm_source=chatgpt.com

This is more than just a job. **It's an opportunity to start a career in the fire service while getting paid to learn.**

08/06/2026

It's been another busy week at the Wausau Fire Department!

In addition to our crews providing fire and EMS coverage at the Wisconsin Valley Fair, firefighters were also challenged Tuesday afternoon when two structure fires were reported just 15 minutes apart.

Apartment Fire on Rachel Lane
Crews from all three Wausau fire stations responded to a fire in a large apartment building. Firefighters stretched hose lines, established a water supply, and made an aggressive interior attack. The fire was contained to the kitchen of a vacant apartment that was under renovation, preventing damage to neighboring units. The fire was determined to be accidental.

House Fire on 13th Drive
While crews were still operating at the apartment fire, a second structure fire was reported with flames showing through the roof. Resources were immediately reassigned, and mutual aid was requested from Riverside Fire District and SAFER Fire District. Firefighters initially attempted an interior attack before transitioning to a defensive operation as conditions rapidly deteriorated. Through coordinated efforts crews were able to bring the fire under control.

We are thankful that no civilians were injured in either incident. Two Wausau firefighters were transported to the hospital for evaluation and were released, returning to duty the following day.

A sincere thank you to the Riverside Fire District, SAFER Fire District, Marathon County Dispatch, Wausau PD, and everyone who assisted during these simultaneous emergencies.

08/01/2026

The Wausau Fire Department stands alongside the members of the Eau Claire Fire Department as they grieve the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Bryce Jungbluth. Bryce answered the call to serve with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to his community.

The tradition of the Honor Watch is a powerful reminder that no firefighter walks alone, not during their career, and not on their final journey. It reflects the bond we all share, one built on sacrifice, service, and a promise to always be there for one another.

To Bryce’s family, friends, and the entire Eau Claire Fire Department, please know that your fire service family stands with you. We honor Bryce’s life, his service, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Rest easy, Firefighter Jungbluth. Your watch is over, we will carry it from here.