The Manitowoc Fire Department is now under new leadership.
Benjamin Kraynek was officially sworn in last week as the city’s new fire chief.
This comes after the retirement of outgoing Fire Chief Todd Blaser, who served for 12 years.
In a proclamation read during Manitowoc’s May common council meeting, Blaser served in public safety for 34 years, beginning his career as a paid-on-call firefighter with the City of Franklin Fire Department before earning the distinction as a Lieutenant and Firefighter-Paramedic with the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department.
He then became Manitowoc’s Deputy Fire Chief in 2009, where he assisted in department leadership, emergency response planning, and more.
That all led to his promotion to Manitowoc’s Fire Chief in 2014. Mayor Justin Nickel’s proclamation continues to say that Blaser consistently “demonstrated a commitment to mentorship by developing officers and firefighters and fostering future leaders within the organization, and has provided 30 years of leadership service to the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association Board of Directors.”
In a speech following the proclamation, Blaser says he and his wife never second-guessed their decision when they first came to Manitowoc.
“I was welcomed both professionally and personally,” he explained. “Manitowoc offered a true work-life balance…and a chance to be active in the community.”
Blaser added that from a young age, he dreamed of serving as a firefighter-paramedic who could help people who needed it most.
“I’m immensely proud of what the MFRD has accomplished because of the dedicated men and women who make up this organization,” he stated. “We face challenges, but compassion and commitment you show to our citizens is what makes me most proud.”
The retiring fire chief thanked his peers and the Manitowoc Police for their support and friendship, and the city for “taking a chance” on him.
Kraynek was promoted to assistant fire chief in 2023 before taking over for Blaser.
Battalion Chief Jeremy Wagner will take over as Manitowoc’s next Assistant Fire Chief, while Lieutenant Thomas Christensen will be promoted to Battalion Chief.
