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West Bend unveils seven new firefighters hired with federal SAFER grant; oath administered
Summary
City officials introduced seven new firefighters hired with a federal SAFER grant; staff said the new hires will improve 24/7 staffing and reduce cross-staffing of apparatus.
West Bend officials introduced seven newly hired firefighters and administered their oaths after the city secured a federal SAFER grant to increase fire department staffing.
Deputy Chief Bridal and city staff introduced the recruits by name and background: Trent Halverson (West Bend resident, former full-time firefighter/EMT), Devin Byrd (firefighting and EMT experience), Christine Hallock (former dispatcher), Brandon Rhodes (Marine veteran), Andy David (previous department experience and paramedic student), Christopher Sandlin (from Allenton Fire Department) and Paul Kavan (part-time firefighter/paramedic). City staff said the recruits are in the second week of a three-week academy.
Mayor Joel Ongert and staff emphasized that the SAFER grant enabled the hires and will improve the department's ability to staff all apparatus around the clock, “largely by eliminating the need for us to cross staff equipment and have all of our equipment staffed 24/7,” a staff member said. The recruits repeated the oath of office and family members were invited to gather for photos.
No formal council vote was required for the oath; staff noted the hiring was enabled by the previously awarded federal SAFER grant and will have immediate operational impact on emergency response staffing.
