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West Bend swears in seven new firefighters after federal SAFER grant expands staffing
Summary
The West Bend Common Council and city staff administered oaths to seven new firefighters May 5, 2025, saying the hires were funded by a federal SAFER grant and will help the department staff apparatus 24/7 and reduce cross-staffing.
The City of West Bend on May 5 swore in seven new firefighters and credited a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for enabling the hires. City officials said the additional personnel will improve the department’s ability to staff apparatus around the clock.
Deputy Chief Biesel introduced the recruits and read brief biographical notes for each. The new hires are Trent Halverson (West Bend resident, former full-time firefighter/EMT at Grafton Fire Department), Devin Bird (Medford/Lisbon/Burton Fire Departments, EMT), Christine Hallock (former dispatcher in Waukesha County), Brandon Rhodes (Marine veteran and firefighter/EMT in the military), Andy David (previous experience at Colesville and Kewaskem, EMT and paramedic student), Christopher Samblin (Allenton Fire Department, EMS captain experience), and Paul Caban (part‑time firefighter/paramedic from Grafton/Waukesha Central Fire Department).
A municipal clerk administered the oath of office to each appointee. City officials said the recruits are in the second week of a three‑week academy and that the SAFER grant allowed the city to hire a larger group than it previously has. City staff said the hires will “eliminate the need for us to cross staff equipment” and help the department achieve full staffing for more apparatus.
Background documents and remarks at the meeting say the SAFER grant provided the funding authority to create these positions; no appropriation figures were stated during the discussion. City officials said the hires will have an immediate operational effect as the recruits complete training and are assigned to shifts.
The council did not take a separate vote to approve the appointments during the public meeting; the oath and appointment actions were carried out as part of the personnel process described by staff.
The city did not provide a detailed timeline for each firefighter’s assignment beyond the academy schedule mentioned at the meeting.
