Sunday, February 9, 2025
31 °
Mostly Cloudy

Deuman retires after 30 years

Foundry partners in protection

Posted

WAUPACA - Chief Jerry Deuman is retiring from his role as fire chief this January after 30 years as a volunteer firefighter.
The Waupaca Area Fire District protects 147 square miles. Its coverage includes the City of Waupaca and the Townships of Waupaca, Farmington, Dayton, Lind, and portions of Lanark and Belmont in Portage County. This area is protected by 32 volunteer firefighters and one full-time chief.
The new full-time chief is Jake Waller who was hired by the City of Waupaca on August 5, 2024, replacing Jerry, who served as chief since 2016. Waller credits Jerry with building lasting community relationships and expanding the fire department’s role. A major challenge for the department was taking responsibility for fire protection at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, which required patience and teamwork with the state.
“Jerry has been a great mentor/teacher to everyone on this department, always willing to take time to teach and explain the reasoning behind it,” Waller said. “Jerry always took a 10,000-foot view of the issue and saw the big picture. His knowledge and leadership will be greatly missed on the fire ground but also in the fire department.”

Hardhats to fire helmets
Deuman is a maintenance manager at Waupaca Foundry, where he started as an electrician. The Waupaca Foundry has an arrangement with the fire district: if an employee is also on the volunteer fire department and is called out during a work shift, they are still paid their full hourly rate while on the fire call.
“The safety of our team members and their families is our highest priority. Leaders like Jerry exemplify this through his commitment to serving and protecting others, which he did for our community for decades. We’re proud of his service,” said Executive Vice President of Administration & CFO Rob Johnson
The Waupaca Foundry currently has six employees who are volunteer firefighters for the Waupaca Fire Department and many other neighboring fire departments.
“I remember getting about three hours of sleep during the day, going to my kids’ events at school, catching a quick nap before I went to work, and also being called out on fires,” said Deuman. “Long story short, it’s just about helping out communities, neighbors, friends, and whoever is in need. The state auditors can’t believe we can leave our jobs [at Waupaca Foundry], put on our gear, get in the trucks and leave for a call in five minutes. It makes us feel really good because our response time is so quick,” said Deuman.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here