Fire Chief Jim Case

Chief Jim Case has been involved with the fire service since 1990 and has been a member of the Wauwatosa Fire Department since 2001. He previously served as the Assistant Chief of Administration where he was responsible for management of the Fire Department’s budget and the Community Risk Reduction Bureau. He is also an active member State of Wisconsin Disaster Medical Response Team (DMAT). Chief Case has deployed with DMAT to numerous disasters including Hurricane Sandy in 2011 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Chief Case’s education and training include an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire and Emergency Resource Management, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. He recently completed the Executive Leaders Program at the US Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (ELP 2102).  His certifications include: Nationally Registered Paramedic, CPR Instructor, Fire Inspector, Fire Instructor, Arson Investigator, Tactical EMS provider, and Incident Commander.

Chief Case’s fire service career began as a volunteer with the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department where he was a member of the local Search & Rescue (SAR) Team. He also served in a similar capacity with the Pennington County, South Dakota SAR. During his time with the SAR teams, Chief Case gained significant experience in specialized rescue techniques such as rope and trench rescue.

Prior to joining WFD, Chief Case served nine years of active duty with the U.S. Air Force as a personnel readiness technician achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant in the 28th Bomb Wing’s Personnel Readiness Unit. In this role he was responsible for the deployment and management of over 5,000 personnel, often in combat zones. His service included numerous deployments to Iraq, Turkey, and Haiti. After leaving the military and returning to Wisconsin, he joined the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company where, he was promoted multiple times, eventually reaching the rank of Assistant Chief.

414-479-3450
jcase@wauwatosa.net

Command Staff

Assistant Chief Scott Erke

Assistant Chief Scott Erke has served the City of Wauwatosa since 1999. He has held the positions of Firefighter, Paramedic, Technical Rescue Team Leader, Shift Commander and Deputy Chief of Training. He also has been a member and held the position of President of the Milwaukee County Training Officers. Assistant Chief Erke has developed several new training programs and re-organized the Wauwatosa Training Academy to facilitate an aggressive, well rounded training for new hires and current members. Assistant Chief Erke is currently responsible for Fire Operations, Safety, Training, Suppression Personnel.

Assistant Chief Erke has been involved in the fire service since 1986, starting as a volunteer in Waukesha County and then moving to the City of Oak Creek as a Firefighter. Assistant Chief Erke worked as a Fire Instructor at Waukesha County Technical College from 1999 through 2015. He instructed FFI, FFII, driver operator/pumper and aerial, FOI and specialty contract suppression classes for acquired structure/live fire trainings.

414-479-3456
serke@wauwatosa.net

Assistant Chief Barbara Kadrich

Barbara Kadrich has been in the fire service since 1995 and became a member of the Wauwatosa Fire department in 1998.  She previously served as a Battalion Chief being responsible for the daily fire shift and the City for fire and rescue operations.  Assistant Chief Kadrich has also served as a paramedic, Special Rescue Team Leader, Hazardous Materials Team Leader, Honor Guard Commander, CPR Instructor, Lieutenant and Communications Director.   

Assistant Chief Kadrich has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science, Chief Fire Officer Certification from University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and other certificates. 

Assistant Chief Kadrich is responsible for the administration activities within the Wauwatosa Fire Department.  Also, she serves as the Fire Marshal for Wauwatosa.  The Community Risk Reduction Bureau is overseen by Assistant Chief Kadrich along with being involved in Emergency Management.  She is also a Public Information Officer for the Wauwatosa Fire Department.  

414-479-3449
bkadrich@wauwatosa.net

Battalion Chief Jeremy Blair

414-479-3447
jblair@wauwatosa.net

Battalion Chief Lance Grimord

414-479-3447
lgrimord@wauwatosa.net

Battalion Chief Kurt Trevisan

Battalion Chief Trevisan started in the fire service in 1986 with the Elm Grove Fire Department. He has proudly served the City of Wauwatosa since 1995. Throughout his career with the Wauwatosa Fire Department he has held many ranks, including Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutenant, and Captain. Prior to his promotion to Battalion Chief in March 2023, he served as the Fire Training Officer.

Battalion Chief Trevisan has been influential in the development of the department’s Firefighter Intern Program. He is also made a huge impact on the continued success of the Joint Fire Training Academy. He is passionate about educating future leaders in the fire service and is committed to providing the best possible service for the citizens of Wauwatosa.

414-479-3447
ktrevisan@wauwatosa.net

Division Chief Chris Sandoval

Division Chief Chris Sandoval started his career in the fire service with the Mequon Fire Department where he worked as a Lieutenant and Paramedic for 5 years. He was hired by the Wauwatosa Fire Department in 2012. He has held the positions of Firefighter/Paramedic, TEMS Team Leader, Motor Pump Operator, and Lieutenant.

Division Chief Sandoval has a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology and an Associate’s Degree in Paramedicine. He holds certifications in Firefighter I and II, Driver/Operator, Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Fire Investigator, EMS Instructor II, Safety Officer, American Heart Association CPR/ACLS/PALS Instructor, Critical Care Paramedic, Tactical EMS, and Mobile Integrated Health. He is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

Division Chief Sandoval is currently the EMS Manager and Training Coordinator for all Wauwatosa EMTs and Paramedics. He also assists in incident command roles at significant emergencies. He is currently the Vice-President of the Milwaukee County Training Officers and an EMS Instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

414-479-3455
csandoval@wauwatosa.net

Support Staff

Office Manager Amy Rummel

Office Manager Amy Rummel began her career with the City of Wauwatosa in 2000, where she worked in the Buildings & Safety Division as a permit clerk. In 2004 she moved to the Wauwatosa Fire Department as the Fire Education Coordinator & Fire Prevention Office Assistant. Office Manager Rummel was promoted to her current position in 2011.

Office Manager Rummel has an Associate Degree as an Administrative Assistant from Milwaukee Area Technical College. She is proficient in numerous computer programs, including Microsoft Office. Her primary responsibilities include payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and purchasing. She assists with the hiring process, budget, website, and any other duties the Chief Staff may assign. Office Manager Rummel plays a large role in making sure the day to day operations of the Wauwatosa Fire Department run smoothly.

On top of Office Manager Rummel's everyday duties with the Wauwatosa Fire Department, she is a Wellness Champion for the City of Wauwatosa, on the Board of Directors for the Focus Credit Union, and is the Vice President of the Wisconsin Fire Service Administrative Association.

414-479-3446
arummel@wauwatosa.net

Community Outreach Specialist Cody Xiong

Community Outreach Specialist Cody Xiong has served the Wauwatosa Fire Department since 2022. Prior to that, he worked for the the City of Wauwatosa Clerk’s Office as an Elections & Licensing Clerk.  

His duties include working with both the Administrative Staff to help facilitate the day to day operations of the department and the Community Risk Reduction Bureau to conduct training, provide education, to manage the department's social media accounts, and to coordinate resources of the Fire Department's various outreach programs throughout the community.  

Community Outreach Specialist Xiong has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and has a Social Media Manager Certificate from the University of Wisconsin. He is a member of SafeKids Wisconsin, the Milwaukee County Falls Prevention Coalition, and the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association.  He also holds certifications as an instructor for the American Heart Association, a Notary Public for the State of Wisconsin, and as a Child Passenger Safety Technician through Safe Kids Worldwide. 

414-479-3445
cxiong@wauwatosa.net

Fire Training Officer Ryan Becker

414-479-5434
rbecker@wauwatosa.net 

Community Risk Reduction Bureau Staff

Fire Inspector Dan Schmocker

Fire Inspector Dan Schmocker strives to promote a safe and progressive environment to live, work, and socialize. He has a knack for educating people while enforcing fire/building codes in a fair thorough manner.

Fire Inspector Schmocker began his career in the fire service as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Town of Ixonia 1984. In 1987, he became a Fire Inspector with the Town of Ixonia and that is what sparked his passion for Public Education and Fire Prevention. Fire Inspector Schmocker joined the Wauwatosa Fire Department in 2004.

Fire Inspector Schmocker is currently licensed as a Wisconsin Fire Detection Prevention & Suppression Inspector, Wisconsin Commercial Building Inspector, Wisconsin Tank System Inspector, and a Certified Fire Plan Examiner through NFPA. He is also certified as a Firefighter II, Fire Inspector I, Hazardous Materials, Incident Command, Fire Cause Investigation, Evidence Preservation, Sprinkler and Fire Alarm System Plan Review, and Safety Officer.

Fire Inspector Schmocker is a member of the Wisconsin Fire Inspectors Association and currently is serving as the President. He is also a member of the Building Inspectors Association of Southeast Wisconsin.

414-479-3457
dschmocker@wauwatosa.net

Fire Inspector Doug Spankowski

Fire Inspector Doug Spankowski has served the Wauwatosa Fire Department since 2014. Prior to that, he was with the Wauwatosa Water Department as a Plant Operator. He has an extensive background in both industrial mechanical and electrical fields from nearly two decades working in manufacturing.

Fire Inspector Spankowski has an Associate's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Milwaukee Area Technical College and holds a State of Wisconsin Journeyman card in Machine Repair/Industrial Maintenance. He is a licensed Commercial Building Inspector and a NFPA certified Plan Examiner. He also has certifications in Fire Inspector I, and Arson Investigation.

Fire Inspector Spankowski is a member of the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association and the Building Inspectors Association of Southeastern Wisconsin.

414-479-3459
dspankowski@wauwatosa.net

Part-Time Fire Inspector Thomas Moder

Fire Inspector Thomas Moder began is career with the Wauwatosa Fire Department in 2017. He served on the Milwaukee Fire Department for 27 years. 

Fire Inspector Moder has held positions of Fire Lieutenant and Lieutenant Paramedic.  He has been a member of the Haz-Mat Team and worked in the Bureau of Technical Services.

As a member of the Wauwatosa Fire Department's Community Risk Reduction Bureau, Fire Inspector Moder is responsible for preforming annual fire inspections for businesses through out the community.

414-479-3451
tmoder@wauwatosa.net

Fleet Maintenance Staff

Fire Mechanic Derek Kreuser

Fire Mechanic Derek Kreuser brings a wealth of expertise to our department. His professional career as a diesel mechanic spans back to 2010. Before joining our team, he attended the Universal Technical Institute. He honed his skills working at Reliant Fire Apparatus, Inc. and holds a title of Pierce Master Technician.  In addition to his mastery Pierce Apparatus, he is certified in Waterous Pump and Genesis Extrication Tool.

Mechanic Kreuser plays a crucial role in our department by overseeing the maintenance and repair of all twenty-eight apparatus and vehicles. His responsibilities extend beyond routine maintenance, as he is dedicated to promptly addressing any issues that may arise to ensure our vehicles are always ready to respond to emergencies.  Additionally, he serves as a point of contact for parts and shop supply vendors, effectively coordinating with them to streamline the procurement process. Mechanic Kreuser organizes out-of-house repairs, collaborates with apparatus manufacturers and repair shops to expedite our apparatus’ return to service.  His commitment and expertise contributes significantly to the efficiency of our fleet.

414-479-3454
dkreuser@wauwatosa.net