About this episode

Dan Retzlaff interviews Chief Ron Wegner about his leadership journey and experiences in firefighting.

In this episode, Dan sits down with Chief Ron Wegner of the Jefferson, Wisconsin Fire Department. Chief Wegner is the latest recipient of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year award. Chief Wegner pulls back the curtain on what it takes to lead a combination department that serves 53 square miles, including the protection of heavy industries. But behind the state of the art equipment and the department's deeply preserved historical artifacts lies a 16 year leadership journey forged by legacy, humility, and near misses. Tune in as Chief Wegner candidly shares the moments that fundamentally reshaped his perspective on the fireground, from surviving a terrifying methane flash fire inside a 200 foot industrial grain silo to a close call on a residential fire. It is a powerful conversation about respect for the timeline, checking complacency at the door, and why leadership in the volunteer service is always a team effort.

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