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Wausau council approves firefighter–paramedic apprenticeship program
Summary
The council approved a firefighter–paramedic apprenticeship program funded primarily by a grant of just over $3.2 million; apprentices would be limited-term employees for 18 months and equipment bought with grant funds would remain property of the city fire department.
The Wausau Common Council on July 14 approved a resolution (file 040306) establishing a firefighter–paramedic apprenticeship program for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
The fire chief told council the program is a partnership with Northcentral Technical College and will be operated under the state apprenticeship program. "For just over $3,200,000, everything towards this program will come out of that money," the chief said, describing grant-funded purchases such as gear, radios and medical equipment that would remain with the fire department at the program’s conclusion. Apprentices would be employed as limited-term city employees for 18 months and would need to re-apply to become full-time firefighter–paramedics thereafter.
Councilors praised the partnerships and workforce-development aspect of the program. Several alderpersons noted a tight administrative timeline and supported bringing the measure forward under suspension of the rules to meet grant deadlines. The resolution passed unanimously (11–0).
