Fire Chief in Onalaska, Wisconsin at City of Onalaska

The City of Onalaska is seeking to hire a Fire Chief. Under the direction of the Mayor, this position directs, sets goals and objectives, and oversees all department operations. This position holds the highest-level management position within the Fire Department and is ultimately responsible for the complete control, operation, and representation of the City’s fire department and its employees. The Chief is responsible for managing the physical facilities and equipment; promoting fire prevention; developing and improving the City firefighting and emergency medical response; improving the City firefighting forces with methods and techniques of firefighting and fire prevention; supervising departmental activities; formulating and enforcing department rules of conduct and policies; coordinating department activities with outside agencies; preparing and justifying departmental budgets; making recommendations for hiring, promotions, commendations, and discipline; and making major changes in procedures and organization. The Chief also provides information to the Common Council, business groups, service organizations, special committees, and representing both the City and the department to the general public, governmental agencies, news media, etc. This position is appointed by the Police and Fire Commission and supervises all employees hired by the Police and Fire Commission that serve as employees of the Onalaska Fire Department.

Essential Job Functions:

• Oversees all activities of the department for adherence to established policies and work methods; assures enforcement of statutes, fire codes and local ordinances.
• Plans, reviews, and coordinates departmental activities with the Mayor, City Administrator, Department Heads, the Police and Fire Commission, and other appointed and elected officials.
• Supervises the day-to-day activities of fire department officers and staff; evaluates and monitors fire department policies and procedures and the institution of an appropriate chain of command.
• Performs or directs the performance of tasks related to fiscal, personnel, property, records management, and other administrative tasks.
• Participates on the City of Onalaska Plan Review Team to assure projects are planned and completed in accordance with the Fire Code.
• Facilitates occupancy inspections and fire detection and prevention inspections within the response areas of the Onalaska Fire Department.
• Develops and projects a good public image of the department and its employees with the general public, other firefighter/EMS agencies, governmental officials, and the news media.
• Monitors the planning, organization, and conduct of activities related to the provision of emergency medical services and disaster management, and conduct of fire suppression activities, including readiness planning for man-made or natural disasters in the City of Onalaska and neighboring municipalities.
• Monitors the planning, organization, and conduct of departmental activities related to the inspection of properties for fire hazards and code enforcement, arson prevention and investigation, fire prevention and community education.
• Responsible for the recruitment and retention of firefighter/EMS personnel; evaluates, schedules, trains personnel, administers discipline and grievance processes within the Fire Department.
• Monitors the planning, organization, conduct, and evaluation of departmental training activities of personnel; reviews programs of instruction designed to equip department personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to perform the tasks they are assigned.
• Represents the fire department at meetings and hearings conducted by other governmental bodies and agencies on matters directly related to the department's operations; acts as a liaison with other organizations and groups on matters related to the department's operations.
• Develops rules of conduct, policies, mission statements, goals and objectives and work procedures to be followed by members of the department based on trends in city government, firefighter/EMS requirements and city growth patterns.
• Serves as legal custodian of fire department records; maintains appropriate records and prepares reports; supervises and assures maintenance of departmental equipment.
• Prepares, reviews, approves, and submits the fire department's budget for consideration by the Mayor and Common Council; and supervises expenditures of departmental appropriations.
• Attends meetings of the City Common Council, as well as meetings of the Police and Fire Commission and other committees of jurisdiction.
• Develops and annually reviews the department's long-range plan for capital improvements, including the acquisition of capital equipment and fiscal requirements associated with such a plan.
• Develops, coordinates, and annually reviews assistance agreements entered into with other jurisdictions.
• Serves as Director of the City’s Emergency Management Team; develops, coordinates, reviews, trains staff tasked with Emergency Operation Center (EOC) duties ensuring the EOC is operational at any given time. Obtain Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 700, 800 (on-line) within 1 year of hire and 300 (in-person) certification within a reasonable time.

Compensation and Benefits: The 2026 annual salary range for this exempt position is $107,786 (step 1) through $141,378 (step 11). Starting salary depending on qualifications. Eligible for annual wage advancement upon approval.

The City offers competitive benefits to include health and dental insurance effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment. For health insurance, the most affordable area plan offered is the Quartz West Plan with premiums at $225.36 per month for a single plan or $554.72 per month for a family plan. There is no deductible or co-insurance amount for the health insurance plan. Dental insurance is through Delta Dental with premiums paid 100% by the City. The position qualifies for automatic enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System (pension plan) providing a lifetime payment once vested and upon eligible retirement. Additionally, the City offers voluntary benefits such as vision, flexible spending, life insurance, disability insurance, deferred compensation, pet insurance, critical illness, cancer, and accident insurance. Paid sick leave, holidays, and vacation. Access to an employee assistance program (EAP). The City of Onalaska is also a qualifying employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Federal Program.

To Apply: To be considered for this excellent opportunity, submit an online employment application by accessing https://onalaskawi.gov/jobs by July 1, 2026. For additional information please contact:

City of Onalaska Human Resources – City Hall (1st Floor)

415 Main Street, Onalaska WI 54650

Phone: 608-781-9530 ext. 260

Email: afrandsen@onalaskawi.gov

Additional Information: Initial interviews anticipated for mid-July and 2nd interviews anticipated for August 3rd. Selected candidate subject to background screening, post-offer/pre-employment drug screen/physical and psychological. EOE/Drug Free Workplace.

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Service or a closely related field. Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field desired. Related course work at the National Fire Academy (e.g. Executive Fire Officer program) preferred. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the fire service, including five (5) years of supervisory experience and five (5) years’ experience/training in emergency management; or equivalent combination of work experience. Wisconsin or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Fire Officer II or III, and WI or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Fire Instructor II or III preferred. Valid driver’s license with good driving record. Establish and maintain residence at a distance not greater than 15 miles from the nearest corporate boundary of the City, per ordinance.