Hub City staff sat down with Marshfield Fire Chief Scott Owen for a monthly update on what is happening with Marshfield Fire & Rescue

Dave Patten retires

Firefighter and Critical Care Paramedic, Dave Patten retired from the Marshfield Fire Department in February after 22 years of service.

Patten started with the department in October of 1997. He is originally from California but moved to Wisconsin and worked for a private ambulance service before moving to Marshfield and taking the position here.

Patten, along with Chief Owen, loved to clown around.  He would dress up as “Jokey the Clown” to help teach kids about fire prevention safety. They would talk to over 2,500 kids yearly, teaching them about fire safety.

Patten was sent into retirement from the department in February with his final call and, per tradition, was given a ride home. Only Patten didn’t go home; he went to Marshfield Bus Service where he will continue to work.

Anthony Halloran returns

HCT staff photo

Anthony Halloran is a firefighter/paramedic who was hired by the Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department in 2017. Shortly after starting with the department, Halloran was given orders from the Army National Guard and left the department for training and then Afghanistan.

Halloran was gone from Oct. 2018 until Feb. 2020 serving our country. Hollaran is very happy to be back and brought a plaque and flag from his base in Afghanistan to the department. This will be on display at the museum in the fire department.

Hiring process

Chief Owen said there is a nationwide problem in finding firefighters, including here in Marshfield. The Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department has teamed up with Mid-State Technical College to help solve this problem.

Starting in the fall of 2020, they will work with Marshfield High School and Columbus Catholic High School to start a school-to-work program.

There are three options available: The first is firefight technician academy, which is a two-year program for students who would want to have a career in firefighting. The program begins their junior year of high school.

The second option is “be elite;” this option can be started in the student’s senior year and is for the student who is considering firefighting as their career and gives them the opportunity to be a volunteer firefighter.

 The third option is “be ready to serve,” which is for a student who knows they want to serve as a firefighter in a volunteer matter.

This program is designed to get local students interested and involved in firefighting. The program will give students a competitive edge as they prepare for a career in fire protection.

For more information on the program, contact the Marshfield Mid-State Campus or the Marshfield Fire & Rescue Department.