The Manitowoc Fire Department has been working on promoting firefighters into a new role on the command staff.
On WOMT’s Be My Guest program, Fire Chief Todd Blaser introduced Jason Wagner as a new Battalion Chief.
Blaser says with approval from the Manitowoc Common Council, the fire department added three new battalion chief positions back in January.
Wagner’s primary role is community risk reduction, but he also took over some roles that Blaser had.
“We conduct the morning shift briefings,” he stated. “We discuss what training to do throughout the day. We can function as the instant command team, whether that be instant commander or supervisor. We also are the supervisor for the employees of our shift. Currently, we have 17 people on a shift.”
Wagner also explained what he does for risk reduction.
“All commercial buildings get inspected, so I’m responsible for those inspections to make sure they get done and assign them,” he explained. “We hold public educations events, like having a touch a truck at the YMCA as well as fire drills and community education events.”
Two other battalion chiefs also have roles with one working on operations including vehicle maintenance while the second chief works on professional development, meaning training of other firefighters.
The other battalion chiefs are Charles Olson and Jacob Johnsrud.
The battalion chief’s rank is under Assistant Fire Chief Benjamin Kraynek and at the top is Chief Blaser.
