The Whitewater Fire and EMS department has nominated command staff, according to information released Tuesday by city officials.
The newly named command staff moves the city forward with its ongoing plans to bring Whitewater Fire Department, Inc., in house as a city-operated department, the release stated.
After the completion of the merger, the new commend staff will serve on the in-house fire department.
The nominations will next be presented to the Police and Fire Commission for approval, the release noted.
According to the release, Kelly Freeman has been nominated to serve as chief of the City of Whitewater Fire and EMS Department. Freeman has served with Whitewater Fire Department, Inc. since 2006 and has held leadership positions as lieutenant, captain, and assistant chief.
Freeman is a part-time Fire I instructor at Gateway Technical College in Burlington, the release noted.
He also is an employee of the city, serving as superintendent of the Streets/Parks/Forestry Division of the Department of Public Works.
Additionally, Ryan Dion has been nominated to serve as first assistant fire chief and Joe Uselding has been nominated as second assistant fire chief.
Dion has been a member of the department for 15 years, holding the positions of lieutenant and captain. Uselding has served within the department for 21 years and has held the positions of lieutenant, captain and assistant chief, according to the release.
Ashley Vickers will serve as the department’s chief of EMS. Vickers has served within the department for 13 years and has held the position of EMS chief since 2021, the release continued.
“Mike Higgins, chief of WFD, Inc., will continue in that position until the merger is completed. He will stay on with WFD, Inc. until January, 2023, when he will retire from service,” the release stated.
A Whitewater Fire Department truck moves down Main Street during the Fourth of July parade. File photo/Kim McDarison.
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