Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted on the City of Whitewater website on July 12.
As the City of Whitewater moves closer to the merger with WFD, Inc., the Command Staff has been named for the new City of Whitewater Fire and EMS Department.
Kelly Freeman has been named the Chief of the City of Whitewater Fire and EMS Department. Kelly has served on WFD, Inc. since 2006. He has held leadership positions as Lieutenant, Captain, and Assistant Chief. He is a part time Fire I instructor at Gateway Technical College in Burlington . Kelly also works as the Superintendent of the Streets/Parks/Forestry Division of the Department of Public Works for the City of Whitewater.
Ryan Dion will hold the position of 1st Assistant Chief, Joe Uselding will hold the position of 2ndAssistant Chief, and Ashley Vickers will be the Chief of EMS. Ryan has served the department for 15 years and has held the position of Lieutenant and Captain. Joe has served the department for 21 years and has held the position of Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Chief. Ashley has served the department for 13 years and has held the position of EMS Chief since 2021.
The Command Staff will continue to work with the City until the Integration is complete. 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.
Update: Changes in any position with the newly formed Whitewater Fire & EMS Dept. are effective the date of the merger. The positions announced on July 12 are nominations and will be presented to the Police & Fire Commission for confirmation.
