WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (OnFocus) – After working for six different mayors and dozens of alderpersons and police and fire commissioners, Chief Scott Young of the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department is set to retire.
Young has been with the department for 30 years and has served as chief of the department for three years.
Young was raised in Madison and obtained an associate’s degree in fire prevention while working at various departments.
He and his wife, moved to the Wisconsin Rapids area in 1991 after living in Crandon and serving on the local fire department there while his wife worked as a probation and parole officer.
Young said he has appreciated all the men and women he has worked with throughout his time in Wisconsin Rapids.
“It has been a privilege to work with the brave men and women of the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department, past and present, for the last 30 years,” Young said. “I have been blessed to have worked with so many dedicated professionals, they have made my job incredibly rewarding over the years.”
Young made sure to thank all the police and fire commission members, police and sheriff department members, Wood County Dispatch and others.
“The fire department and myself work closely with many organizations, departments and individuals it is impossible to list them all, however, I would like to recognize a few partners that are vital to our safety and success,” Young said. “The Wisconsin Rapids Police and the Wood County Sheriff’s Departments. We respond to emergencies that are mutual in nature, they have been incredible to work with while aiding and providing safety for our members. The Wood County dispatch center, every call starts there, and they do an incredible job.”
He even took the time to thank the mechanics that work on the vehicles that the fire department uses.
“There is one other group I would like to point out, the Wisconsin Rapids mechanics that are a part of the city’s street department,” Young said. “They are unsung heroes, they have done an incredible job of keeping our fire apparatus and ambulances maintained and provide repairs in a timely manner. They are the best and I cannot thank them enough for all they do for the department.”
Friday, Oct. 15 was Young’s last day with the department but his official retirement date is Oct. 31. He plans to spend more time working on one of his many hobbies and didn’t rule out helping fire departments in the future.
Young said the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department is one of the best departments in the state.
“I may be just a little biased, but I believe we have one of the best departments in the state,” Young said. “The members are responsible to understand and gain proficiency in many different areas, from; fire tactics and fire behavior, EMS operating guidelines and skills, hazardous materials responses, confined space operations, vehicle extrication, water rescue and educating the public in fire and health safety. Our members are incredible, and I am proud to have worked with them.”
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