Hall of Fame Inductees September 10th 2023 – Superior, WI
On Sunday, June 19, 2022, shortly after midnight, frantic calls flooded 911 about a mobile home fire in a quiet neighborhood, with a 3-year-old boy trapped inside.
When Officers Jordan Cooper and Ryan Schultz of the West Allis Police Department arrived at the scene, Corporal Schultz located a window to the bedroom. Using his baton, he attempted to break in to save the boy. As the window shattered, an explosion made him recoil, the heat setting the neighboring home aflame. Undeterred by the explosion, Officer Cooper rushed to Schultz’s side at the window, calling out for the frightened child. Officers Caleb Hoff and Ryan Stuettgen arrived to assist in the rescue effort.
Officer Cooper removed his duty belt, preparing to squeeze through the narrow opening, as Officer Hoff lifted him to the frame. Meanwhile, Officer Stuettgen brought in a Halligan bar, determined to clear the remaining glass for better access. For the officers, their mission was clear, but the increasing intensity of the fire hindered their entry. From the window, they called out to the disoriented and frightened child, hoping to guide him to safety. Despite their efforts, they were unable to reach him.
Just then, Dan Rohde, Jacob Levenhagen, Thomas Marquardt, and Deonte Pettis of West Allis Fire Department’s Engine 63 arrived on the scene. They deployed their hose line and joined the rescue efforts while the fierce flames raged on. Realizing that the police officers had pinpointed the exact location of the trapped boy, Fire Lieutenant Rohde pried the window frame away from the structure. As his crew entered the other end of the home to fight the flames, Rohde made a daring decision. He climbed through the window into the burning bedroom without a hose line.
Employing the Vent Enter Isolate Search (VEIS) tactic, he located the child and cradled him in his arms, determined to bring him to safety. Waiting outside, Officer Hoff took the boy from Rohde’s arms and sprinted to a waiting ambulance crew. Less than eight minutes after Engine 63’s arrival, the child was enroute to the hospital. Despite sustaining significant injuries from smoke inhalation, the young boy’s spirit and resilience shone through, and he eventually made a full recovery.
This heart-stopping rescue operation was a true testament to the power of teamwork and bravery in the face of adversity. The combined efforts of the
responding police officers and firefighters demonstrated unwavering dedication to preserving life and protecting their community.
On the morning of April 7th, 2017, the La Crosse Fire Department received a distress call regarding a house fire. The report stated that there were individuals trapped inside the building.
Engine 1 was dispatched to set up a ground ladder to rescue the trapped occupants from a second-floor window. Upon arrival at the scene, heavy, black smoke was observed billowing out of the window.
Firefighter Brian Green wasted no time in setting up the ground ladder with the assistance of his crew. Despite challenging circumstances, Brian proceeded with the rescue mission without hesitation. He successfully assisted one person down the ladder to safety and promptly returned to rescue the next trapped victim.
The second victim, a female, was hysterical, gripped by an extreme fear of heights and unable to fit through the window opening. Brian demonstrated quick thinking and decided to remove the window to create a wider exit for the distressed individual. He managed to calm her down and safely carry her down the ladder, ensuring her escape from the burning building.
Brian Green’s swift actions and quick response stand as a testament to the remarkable heroism that saved the lives of the people involved in the incident.
Upon arrival at a call for a house fire, Officer Anthony Becker of the Port Washington Police Department, showing remarkable courage, entered the smoke filled garage to locate the resident.
Despite the limited visibility and intense heat, Officer Becker called out to the resident, instructing him to get low and crawl towards him. Recognizing the resident’s confusion, rapidly deteriorating conditions, and hampered movement ability, Officer Becker, without hesitation, entered the residence, and dragged him to safety. Despite inhaling smoke during the rescue, he remained committed to his duties.
Officer Becker’s actions were instrumental in saving the resident from serious harm or even death. By prioritizing human life and displaying exceptional courage, Officer Becker successfully carried out a life-saving rescue operation.
Officer Becker’s actions demonstrate bravery and a commitment which prioritizes human life above everything else. The selfless actions of officers like Becker serve as an inspiration and reflect the dedication and commitment of law enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line to protect and serve others.
Fire Chief Mitchell R. Waite had an extensive and impactful career with the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department (WRFD) spanning over 26 years. He held numerous positions within the department, including firefighter/paramedic, fire marshal, training officer, paramedic director, fire investigator, fire inspector, operations director, and eventually retiring as the fire chief in 2011.
Throughout his tenure, Chief Waite implemented several programs and initiatives that had a lasting positive impact on the WRFD and the surrounding communities. One of Chief Waite’s notable achievements was the introduction of a paramedic service to a small community in 1997. Under his leadership as the department’s paramedic service director, this service received the Wisconsin EMS Service of the Year award in 2002.
Chief Waite’s proactive approach to EMS prompted two neighboring services in Central Wisconsin to upgrade their programs to the paramedic and critical care paramedic levels, benefiting citizens across the region. Under Chief Waite’s guidance, the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department also became the first CAAS accredited EMS service in the State of Wisconsin.
Chief Waite’s experience as a financial officer in one of his assignments during his 42-year military career proved valuable in restructuring and streamlining the department’s budget processes. His creative budgeting strategies allowed the WRFD and the community to become more fiscally responsible while maintaining flexibility for growth and expansion.
Recognizing the importance of mutual aid, Chief Waite worked closely with surrounding departments to improve mutual aid agreements. One notable accomplishment was the establishment of an area-wide Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), enhancing emergency response capabilities. Outside of his role in the WRFD, Chief Waite served as a founding board member of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial in Wisconsin Rapids. He actively contributed to various organizations, including the Wisconsin State Fire Instructors, North Central Regional Trauma Advisory Council, State of Wisconsin EMS Education Committee, Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Wood County Fire Chiefs Association, and the North Central Fire Chiefs Association.
Chief Waite’s commitment to professional growth was evident through earning a doctoral degree specializing in leadership and organizational change, his graduation from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and his certification as a Chief Fire Officer. Additionally, he continues to share his knowledge and expertise as a visiting professor of over 36 years at various universities and academic institutions. An accomplished author and expert in leadership, Dr. Waite continues to give back to the fire service as an EMR for the Township of Saratoga EMS Squad, where he has also developed a comprehensive firefighter rehabilitation program that is used when the squad is dispatched to working fires to assist with the welfare and safety of local firefighters.
Larry “Pit” Plumer’s illustrious career spanning over 53 years exemplifies one of the very best of the firefighting profession. Larry’s journey in the Durand Fire Department began in 1966, igniting a flame of passion and dedication that would burn brightly for over five decades. Rising through the ranks, he assumed the esteemed position of Fire Chief in 1983, a testament to his leadership and expertise. His tenure as Chief lasted until 2015 when he made the decision to step down, but his commitment to the department remained resolute as he continued as a Senior Member, bringing his wealth of experience to bear in over 200 fire inspections each year.
Larry’s impact extended far beyond the boundaries of Durand. His unwavering pursuit of excellence led him to pursue numerous National Fire Academy Courses, Incident Command Course, NIFRS training, wildland courses, hazmat courses, and agricultural courses, making himself and his department the epitome of professionalism. A tireless advocate for the emergency services industry, Larry made frequent trips to Madison and Washington D.C., engaging with elected leaders to address critical issues. His legislative acumen resulted in the passage of several bills into laws or statutes in the State of Wisconsin.
In Washington D.C., he worked diligently to ensure the continuity of the AFG grant. Larry’s extensive involvement included holding officer positions for the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association and the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association and contributing to the Wisconsin Technical College Committee. He most recently served on the Chippewa Valley Technical College Fire Service Board and as an alternate on the National Volunteer Fire Council.
Larry’s impact on the fire service is immeasurable. His knowledge and wisdom were not confined to himself; he generously shared them with his department and any firefighter eager to learn and grow. Larry’s exceptional leadership left an indelible mark on the fire service in the State of Wisconsin. His tireless efforts have been recognized and applauded through various accolades, including the Red Cross Hero of Lifetime Award in 2010, the National Volunteer Firefighter’s Council Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and the Durand Fire Department Firefighter of the Year in 1989 and 2004. Larry was honored as the Wisconsin State Firefighter’s Association Firefighter of the Year in 2004 and received the esteemed Wisconsin State Firefighter’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Larry passed away in November 2022, but his legacy will continue to inspire current and future generations of firefighters.
In the late afternoon hours of March 24, 2015, Trooper Trevor Casper of the Wisconsin State Patrol located the vehicle of an armed and dangerous suspect the FBI and Michigan authorities had been searching for in relation to numerous bank robberies and a homicide.
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Milwaukee Fire Department
Town of Campbell Fire Department
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