WCTC Fire & EMS

09/04/2026

🔥 Friday Feature: Instructor Spotlight – Joe

Joe has been part of the WCTC team for 14 years. With a lifelong connection to the fire service and a deep commitment to serving others, Joe brings a strong sense of tradition, teamwork, and mentorship to his work with students.

What inspired you to get into EMS/fire service?
🔥 My dad, Roy Hoffman, inspired me. I grew up around the Branch Volunteer Fire Department and watched firsthand as firefighters dropped everything to help their neighbors. I joined as a junior member just before my 16th birthday, and I’ve never looked back. Serving people when they need us most is one of the greatest honors I can imagine.

What do you enjoy most about working at WCTC?
🔥 The people. Watching students go from “I’m not sure I can do this” to becoming confident responders—and then seeing them serve their own communities—is incredibly rewarding. I also get to work alongside some of the best instructors in the state and learn from them every day.

What’s one piece of advice you give to students?
🔥 Be the one in the arena. Do the work, own your mistakes, and keep getting better. There will always be people willing to critique you, but you have to be willing to step up, take action, and learn from the experience.

What’s your most memorable call or teaching moment?
🔥 I’ve never been able to choose just one. The moments that stick with me are often the smaller ones—a crew performing exactly as they trained or a former student returning years later to say something they learned made a difference. Those moments add up, and they’re what matter most.

What do you like to do outside of work?
🔥 Spending time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors, and golfing whenever I can. I’m also a Wisconsin sports fan through and through—Brewers, Packers, and Badgers!

08/16/2026

Every year, one of our favorite traditions is welcoming a new class of Dual Enrollment Academy students and their families to WCTC for our Family Welcome Dinner.

Tomorrow, 24 high school students begin an incredible journey. Over the next two semesters, they’ll spend 20 hours each week on campus while earning their EMR and EMT certifications, BLS Provider card, Firefighter I certification, Hazardous Materials Operations certification, and 21 college credits toward WCTC’s Fire Protection Technician Associate Degree.

Many of these students will go on to internships, full-time careers in Fire and EMS, or continue their college education. We can’t wait to watch them grow, develop their skills, and make an impact in their communities.

The future of Fire and EMS is bright, and it starts with students like these. Welcome to the Academy—we’re excited to see where this journey takes you!

Photo cred 📸: Thanks Scott Carnahan for capturing the memories!

www.wctc.edu/fire-ems

08/12/2026

Fall classes start next week! Looking for that next Fire Certification course? Be sure to sign up ASAP to reserve your seat!

Check out our upcoming Fall Certification courses. Several courses start in just less than 2 weeks! Sign up today at www.wctc.edu/fire-ems under Fire Certification Courses.

08/05/2026

Check out our upcoming Fall Certification courses. Several courses start in just less than 2 weeks! Sign up today at www.wctc.edu/fire-ems under Fire Certification Courses.

07/18/2026

🔥 Friday Feature: Instructor Spotlight – April

April has been part of the WCTC instructional team for 10 years. With a lifelong dream of serving in the fire service, she brings enthusiasm, experience, and a passion for mentoring future first responders.

What inspired you to get into EMS/fire service?
🔥 Serving in the fire service has been my dream since I was a kid. I love helping people in my community—and getting to drive a fire truck is a pretty awesome bonus!

What do you enjoy most about working at WCTC?
🔥 Running into former students out in the field. It's a proud "mom moment" every time I see them using what they've learned and making a difference in their communities.

What’s one piece of advice you give to students?
🔥 Communication is key, and never stop learning. Those two things will take you far in this profession.

What’s your most memorable call or teaching moment?
🔥 One item on my EMS bucket list was delivering a baby. On Valentine's Day, while my daughter was riding along with me, we were dispatched to an imminent delivery. We arrived just in time and delivered the baby on scene. Now I get to say I delivered my first baby with my first baby by my side!

What do you like to do outside of work?
🔥 I love spending time with my family—whether it's being a nanny to my niece Ellie, family game nights, road trips, camping, or adventures with my kids, Chloe and Ethan. My dog, Benson, is my baby, and for a fun fact: I collect fire trucks! My Hot Wheels and Matchbox collection has grown to more than 600 vehicles.

06/12/2026

🔥 Friday Feature: Instructor Spotlight – Brandon

Brandon has been part of the WCTC instructional team for 2½ years. With 25 years in the fire service and a passion for mentoring future firefighters, Brandon brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to every student he teaches.

What inspired you to get into EMS/fire service?
🔥 Growing up in rural central Wisconsin, I originally planned to become a conservation warden. Everything changed when I joined a local volunteer fire department—I was instantly hooked and knew the fire service was the career for me.

What do you enjoy most about working at WCTC?
🔥 I completed much of my own fire service training at WCTC and always looked up to my instructors. Having the opportunity to become one of those instructors and help shape the next generation of fire service professionals is incredibly rewarding.

What’s one piece of advice you give to students?
🔥 Never stop learning. Ask questions, soak up as much knowledge as you can, and don’t become complacent. This profession is a lifelong learning journey.

What’s your most memorable call or teaching moment?
🔥 One of my most memorable calls was a high-rise apartment fire where I served as the acting lieutenant. My crew was first on scene to a working fire on the 10th floor. We made multiple rescues of residents trapped by smoke and successfully knocked down the fire. It was a challenging and rewarding experience that showcased the importance of teamwork and training.

What do you like to do outside of work?
🔥 My family loves to travel, both across the U.S. and internationally. I also enjoy playing hockey, softball, and baseball, but my favorite role is being a dad. I also volunteer as part of the medical team for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.

06/05/2026

🔥 Friday Feature: Instructor Spotlight – Ken

Ken has been part of the WCTC team for 8 years. With a lifelong passion for EMS and a commitment to student success, Ken brings experience, enthusiasm, and a student-centered approach to every class he teaches.

What inspired you to get into EMS/fire service?
🔥 I’m old-school—it was the 1970s TV show Emergency! that first sparked my interest in EMS. The excitement and sense of purpose hooked me from an early age.

What do you enjoy most about working at WCTC?
🔥 The culture. WCTC combines high-quality education with a supportive, positive learning environment, creating a place where students can truly succeed.

What’s one piece of advice you give to students?
🔥 Take ownership of your education. Be proactive about getting what you need from your instructors and the program, and don’t be afraid to speak up about what is—or isn’t—working for you.

What’s your most memorable call or teaching moment?
🔥 Rather than focusing on specific calls, I cherish the privilege of serving patients when they need help most. As an instructor, my favorite moments are seeing former students years later and knowing I played a small role in the excellent care they now provide.

What do you like to do outside of work?
🔥 I’m an avid cyclist, participate in an adult Irish dance club, and have recently started playing pickleball.

05/29/2026

🔥 Friday Feature: Instructor Spotlight – Casey

Casey has been part of the WCTC team for almost 7 years. With a lifelong connection to emergency medicine and a passion for mentorship, Casey brings compassion, curiosity, and support into every classroom experience.

What inspired you to get into EMS/fire service?
🔥 My parents inspired me. My mom was an ER nurse and my dad was an EMS pilot, so I grew up around emergency medicine. Watching the way they cared for people—and how humble they were about it—left a lasting impact on me.

What do you enjoy most about working at WCTC?
🔥 The supportive culture among instructors. We work together well and truly want to create a positive, encouraging environment for students.

What’s one piece of advice you give to students?
🔥 Remember how it felt to be new. Be patient and gracious with new coworkers, trainees, and students—you never forget the people who helped you grow.

What’s your most memorable call or teaching moment?
🔥 I love seeing the moment when a concept finally clicks for a student or sparks their interest. That shared excitement for learning is incredibly rewarding and keeps me learning too.

What do you like to do outside of work?
🔥 I enjoy taking solo road trips around Wisconsin. Along the way, I’ve met some fascinating people—including a Division I football referee and a retired school superintendent.

05/29/2026

A huge thank you to Steve Howard and the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) for visiting our Fire Officer I class! 🚒

Steve provided invaluable insights into NFPA 13E, emphasizing the critical role the Company Officer plays when managing fires in sprinklered buildings. Understanding how to support and work alongside these systems is a game-changer for fireground efficiency and safety.

We appreciate the NFSA’s commitment to training the next generation of fire service leaders!

05/16/2026

🚑 Curious about a career in EMS, but not quite ready to commit to EMT or paramedic school? Start with EMR!

Our Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course is the perfect way to explore the world of emergency medicine while gaining life-saving skills that go far beyond basic first aid. Whether you’re considering a future in EMS, fire service, healthcare, coaching, security, or just want to be better prepared to help in an emergency, this class is for you.

✅ 72-hour hands-on course
✅ Learn emergency response and patient care skills
✅ Great introduction to EMS careers
✅ Classes held at Elm Grove Fire Department
📅 Varied class days from May 20 – July 17

Ready to see what EMR is all about? Visit wctc.edu/fire-ems
then click on EMS Continuing Education for course details and registration information!

WCTC is proud to offer a wide variety of courses and specialized training opportunities to meet the Fire and EMS needs of our community. A Wisconsin state-approved training center, WCTC provides specialized, hands-on skills training in our cutting-edge classrooms and labs.