Wausau committee hears school fire-prevention outreach and upcoming department staffing changes

Sean Kerrigan, prevention division chief for the Wausau Fire Department, told the Public Health and Safety Committee on Nov. 17 that the department’s fall school-outreach program reached 2,043 students and 117 teachers across seven schools and emphasized working smoke alarms, escape plans and practiced drills.

"A small fire in a room can evolve into a room on fire in just 1 to 2 minutes," Kerrigan told committee members as he described age‑appropriate programs including a Sparky presentation for 4K students and 9‑1‑1 education delivered to fourth graders by the sheriff’s department. He said the department sends annual permission letters to public and private schools and brings sample smoke alarms to classes so children can recognize them.

The committee praised the outreach and placed Kerrigan’s report on file. A committee member reminded the panel that the fire chief and chair must certify each year that prevention services were provided to remain eligible for the state’s 2% fire dues, money the city uses for equipment, inspections and public education.

Committee members also received an operational update that included personnel moves and recent incident responses. The department reported that two managerial positions moved through the police and fire commission: an external candidate for EMS division chief who will complete a psychological evaluation before a start date, and Lieutenant Cody Wiesman, who won the internal assessment to succeed Battalion Chief Mike Becker. The department said Becker will retire March 6, 2026, and the succession planning is intended to maintain consistency across battalion crews.

Officials recounted several recent fires where crews made quick knockdowns and there were no injuries, and noted a department presentation that day before Representative Snyder’s committee on falls prevention and community paramedic work. The committee placed the fire department update on file.