PRAIRIE DU CHIEN FIRE DEPARTMENT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

The Prairie du Chien Fire Department is a volunteer fire department with a full-time Fire Chief. The firefighters are paid a salary for the year with bonuses added for rank and/or percentages made for training and fire calls. The Prairie du Chien Fire Department is looking for people that have a desire to help keep the City of Prairie du Chien safe and help mitigate emergencies that arise. The Fire Department has openings for people that live within 15 minutes of the fire station. Are you interested?

Please read on!

Volunteer Firefighter Requirements

  • Valid Wisconsin Driver License
  • High School Diploma
  • 18 Years of Age
  • Live within 15 minutes of the Prairie du Chien Fire station
  • Pass our application process
  • Pass an interview process
  • Pass a medical physical
  • Pass an employment background check and reference check
  • Pass the Police and Fire Commission evaluation
  • Have ample time to give to provide a very needed service for our community
  • Have a sense of dedication and willingness to be part of a professional team

lf you make the commitment, meet the above requirements and are hired as a firefighter there are certain educational requirements. They are as follows:

  • Entry Level Firefighter Class-60 hours
  • Firefighter 1 Certification class-Additional 36 hours with a written and practical Wisconsin State Certification Test

These classes are usually held in the evenings and/or on Saturdays which are provided through Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. These classes are paid for by the Fire Department. As with everything else, things change over time. The same has held true for the fire service. It is becoming increasingly hard to find people willing to take on the challenge of being a volunteer firefighter. BUT our community needs YOUll

If interested or have any questions about being a volunteer firefighter for the Prairie du Chien Fire Department, please call the Fire Station at 608.326.4365 Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4: 30 pm. You can also stop by the Fire Station (720 E. Blackhawk Ave.) during the same hours. You can email the Fire Chief at fire@prairieduchien-wi.gov or talk to any firefighter about getting an application.

Prairie du Chien Police Citizens Academy

We are kicking off our search for our 2018 class of cadets to attend our Citizen’s Academy! If you are interested in learning more about your Prairie du Chien Police Department, please get an application at the Crawford County Communications Center or City Hall. The 2018 Academy will begin March 7th and conclude on May 9th. The class meets once a week (Wednesday evenings) from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Class size is limited so get your applications in early. We encourage you to speak with cadets that have previously attended, we are fairly confident they would highly recommend you take advantage of this  opportunity.  “As a Prairie du Chien native my entire life and current Mayor I would recommend this class to all who would like to develop a bridge building trust with the department”, Dave Hemmer said “Further it gives you a closer look on what your police officers may face on a daily basis.”  Applications are due by February, 23 and can be dropped off at City Hall or the Police Department. Citizens Academy Application

 

 

Major Donation to Hoffman Hall

The City of Prairie du Chein Parks & Recreation Director Mike Ulrich is happy to announce that Bruce Welsch, an avid swimmer at Hoffman Halls pool, has donated $25,000.00 in honor of his Mom and Dad, Chuck & Bernice Welsch.

In his tribute to them he writes:

Thank you for your love, caring, and guidance. Thank you for supporting me in High School, College, and when joining the Armed Forces. Thank you for being great role models. Thank you for your endless sacrifices. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for being you! You may be gone but will never be forgotten and will always be remembered. God Bless you.

Chuck and Bernice will be honored with a plaque on the “Leaders” Donor Wall at Hoffman Hall and the donation will be earmarked for Hoffman Hall Improvements. Ulrich said this is very gracious and heartfelt gift from Bruce and benefits the entire community.

On behalf of the City of Prairie du Chien, we appreciate the significance of this donation as a lifelong memory on their behalf.