Officers

Firefighters are rescuers who are extensively trained to:

• put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property
• rescue people from car accidents, collapsed and burning buildings, threatening water situations
• provide emergency medical services

The increasing complexity of modern life with an increase in the scale of hazards has stimulated both advances in firefighting technology and a broadening of the firefighter-rescuer's scope. The role of officers in the fire department has become more challenging and critically important as times change.

The officers of the Cedarburg Fire Department are below.
Learn more about their certifications.

In addition to the listed accomplishments, all Cedarburg Fire Department Chiefs are certified in firefighting and driver/operator operations.

Chief Officers

Chief Richard Van Dinter	Chief Van Dinter joined the department on October 4, 1974 and been Fire Chief since May 1993. He has been an Engine Company Lieutenant, Captain and Deputy Chief in charge of training. Additional accomplishments and involvement include: Attended numerous NFA classes and command seminars Served on department committees for membership, constitution, truck, awards, safety, city/dept. relations adhoc, Station 1 and 2 building committees, city festivals, city water retention ponds and dams Secretary/Treasurer of Association of Ozaukee County Fire Depts. 2006-present Member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs
Assistant Chief Jeffery Vahsholtz	Assistant Chief Vahsholtz joined the department in May of 1978. Coming up through the ranks, he has held the positions of Engineer, Rescue Lt., Rescue Capt., Engine Company Capt., and Deputy Chief in charge of training. Jeff was a member of the Dive Rescue Team, has served on most committees in the department, and continues to maintain his EMT-IV technician license.
Deputy Chief Jeffery Boerner	Deputy Chief Boerner joined the Cedarburg Fire Department in October, 1974 and has served as Deputy Chief since 1991. He has held various positions at CFD including Department Secretary, Lieutenant of Engine Company, Captain of Ladder Company, Chief Engineer and is currently Truck Committee Chair. Jeff has a family history serving on the department with his late father, sister, brother, son and wife also on the department. Chief Boerner's additional accomplishments and involvement include: Meritorious Service Award(1998) Past President of Association of Ozaukee County Fire Departments Past President of Cedarburg Firemen's Park Inc.
Deputy Chief Safety Officer Daniel Henke	Deputy Chief Henke has been a member of the Cedarburg Fire Department for over 25 years. His current position is Deputy Chief in charge of safety, or Safety Officer. The main focus of his position is making safety a greater part of the department and ensuring the department follows policies, procedures and SOG's (Standard Operating Guidelines) during practices and emergency situations. Additional approaches to enhance the safety program include: Created an active safety committee Created a safety suggestion box Monthly safety meetings and trainings The department is part of the Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System, a national system with the goal of improving firefighter safety. Recently, the department has participated in the National Seatbelt Pledge in which all Cedarburg Fire Department members pledge to wear their seat belts in all department and personal vehicles.
Deputy Chief Chief Engineer William Hintz	Deputy Chief Hintz joined the Cedarburg Fire Department in April of 1985. During his 20+ years in CFD, Bill has been active in almost every division of the fire service. He has held ranks of Ladder Company Lieutenant, and Assistant Chief Engineer. He is responsible for the maintenance of all department vehicles and training of the operators. He has attended various training classes and seminars such as leadership, Hazardous Materials Operations and fire ground tactics. In April of 2006, the department awarded Bill with the Meritorious Service Award as recognition and a show of appreciation for his dedication to the citizens of Cedarburg. He assists with fund raising efforts at Firemen's Park for Maxwell Street Days as well as storage. A life-long resident of Cedarburg, Bill is married to Terri and they are proud parents of Joe, who is also a member of the Cedarburg Fire Department as well. Additional accomplishments and involvement include: NFA courses Truck committee Badger Delegate

Engineers

Lieutenant Assistant Chief Engineer Craig Boerner

Lieutenant Boerner joined the department in August of 2002. Prior to joining, he served 3 years with the department's Explorer post. He was appointed Lieutenant of Engineers (Assistant Chief Engineer) in January of 2009. Current responsibilities include: overseeing the training and operations of the departments Engineers. Additional accomplishments and involvement include: Firefighter I & II Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Aerial Open Water Diver Truck Committee Safety Committee

Engine & Ladder Company

Captain Scott Matusewic	Captain Matusewic joined the department August 1992. He became an EMT in 1993. He was promoted to Lieutenant of Engine/Ladder Company in 1996 and served in that position for 11 years. He was promoted to Engine/Ladder Company captain in 2007. Additional accomplishments and involvement include:  Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Aerial Confined space rescue Open water diving Advanced open water diving Ice rescue diving Dive rescue specialist Competed in auto extrication competition 3 years
Lieutenant Whitney Dobson	Lieutenant Dobson joined the department in May of 2002 and has served as an Engine Company Lieutenant since 2009. Prior to being promoted to Engine Company, Lieutenant Dobson served on the Rescue Company as a Lieutenant from 2007-2009. Whitney's duties include helping out with department trainings and supervising during fire ground operations. Additional accomplishments and involvement include:  Firefighter I & II EMT - Basic EMT - IV Fire Officer Open Water Diver Advanced Open Water Diver
Lieutenant Brian Neuman	Lieutenant Neuman has been an active member of the Cedarburg Fire Department since August 2005. He was promoted to Lieutenant of Engine Company in September 2010. Since joining, Brian has served on the membership committee, executive board committee, as well as truck committee. Additional accomplishments and involvement  include:  Firefighter I & II Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Aerial Open Water Diver Truck Committee
Lieutenant Richard Cass	Lieutenant Cass has been an active member of the Cedarburg Fire Department since August of 2002 and was promoted to Lieutenant of Rescue Company in November of 2008. In July of 2011 Lieutenant Cass was assigned to Engine Company. Regular duties include Duty Group supervisory responsibilities for fire personnel, conducting and assisting with department trainings, and public education. Additional benefits to the CFD include an extensive knowledge in residential, commercial, and industrial building construction materials and methods and an instrumental role in establishing the first Bicycle EMS Response Team in Ozaukee County. Additional accomplishments and involvement include:  Firefighter I & II EMT - B EMT - IV Safety Committee B.E.R.T. Wisconsin Technical College System Board Certified Instructor
Lieutenant Andrew Heidtke	Lieutenant Heidtke has been an active member of the Cedarburg Fire Department since July of 2006 and was promoted to Lieutenant of Engine Company in July of 2011. Prior to joining the department, Andy was active in the departments Explorer post and achieved the rank of Captain. Lieutenant Heidtke also has a Bacholers of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is a Wisconsin licensed Engineer In Training. Additional accomplishments and involvement include: Firefighter I & II Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Aerial Website Committee Truck Committee Park Board Executive Board Member-At-Large 2010 & 2011

Rescue Company

Captain Kim Gordon	Captain Gordon joined the department in September 1999. She attended and complete National Fire Academy classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She attended the Center for Domestic Preparedness and completed a 24 hour class on Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident Command Course (COBRA). Additional accomplishments and involvement include:  Firefighter I & II EMT - B EMT - IV Hazardous Materials Basic and Concept Implementations CPR Instructor Fire Officer I Driver Operator - Pumper  Driver Operator - Aerial Safety Committee Uniform Committee
Lieutenant Grant Witte	Lieutenant Witte joined the department in July 2001 and has served as a Rescue Company officer since April 2005. Current responsibilities include training EMS staff, EMS operations at incidents, equipment evaluation/procurement and public education. Lieutenant Witte also serves as Training Officer for the Ozaukee County Hazardous Materials Team. Additional accomplishments and involvement include:  Firefighter I & II EMT - B EMT - IV Hazardous Materials Technician Confined Space Rescue Safety Committee
Lieutenant Melissa Gall	Lieutenant Gall has been an active member since July of 2005. Shortly after joining she obtained her Emergency Medical Technician - Basic license followed by her EMT-IV license. In 2009, she was promoted to Rescue Company Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant she oversees training and helps with a variety of different tasks. Along with Rescue Company, Melissa is a member of the Dive/Rescue Team at CFD. She is certified in open water diving, along with surface ice rescue. Recently, Melissa has received certification from International Police Mountain Bike Association(I.P.M.B.A.) and is part of the Bike Emergency Responsive vehicle team (B.E.R.T.) at CFD. Additional accomplishments and involvements of Melissa's include:  EMT - Basic EMT - IV Open Water Diver Surface Ice Rescue I.P.M.B.A. Certified B.E.R.T. Co-Chair of Membership Committee
Lieutenant Kevin Glamm	Lieutenant Glamm joined the Cedarburg Fire Department in November of 2007 and was promoted to Lieutenant of Rescue Company in November of 2011.
Dive Team Leader Kevin McCarthy	Dive Team Leader McCarthy joined the Cedarburg Fire Department in September of 2003. Since joining the department Kevin has been actively involved with fire suppression and dive team operations. Kevin's lifelong interest in diving started at the age of twelve. It is this interest that prompted Kevin to join the dive team. Kevin was appointed to the position of Dive Team Leader in September of 2010. Kevin's additional accomplishments include:  Firefighter I & II Fire Inspector I & II Open Water Diver Advanced Open Water Diver Rescue Diver Ice Diver Surface Ice Rescue
Extrication Leader Joseph Hintz	Extrication Leader Hintz joined the Cedarburg Fire Department in July of 2008 and became Extrication Leader in November of 2011.

Bureau of Training

Captain Mike LaRosa

Captain La Rosa joined the department December 7, 2001. Currently serving the department as Training Officer, he oversees all department training. He is also an Extrication Officer specializing in vehicle rescue. Additional accomplishments and involvement include:  Firefighter I & II Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Aerial Fire Inspector Fire Instructor CPR Instructor EMT - B National Fire Academy, Safety Officer National Fire Academy, Training Officer Course National Safety Council, Instructor; Emergency Vehicle Operations

Lieutenant Robert Kaslick

Lieutenant Kaslick began his career with CFD as an Explorer in 2003 where he rose to the rank of Explorer Lieutenant after only 1 year. In 2005, he became a full member of the department and quickly achieved many certifications. Robert is a three-time Responder of the Year (2006/2007/2008) and has received numerous letters of commendation from various public officials and community members. While with CFD, Robert has also been a member of the Richfield and Milwaukee County Fire Departments. Additional accomplishments and involvement include: Firefighter I & II Driver Operator - Pumper Fire Officer Fire Inspector Fire Instructor Airport Rescue Firefighter EMT Basic EMT IV NSC Certified Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor AHA CPR/First Aid Instructor

Administrative Officers

Park Board President Don Dehn	Don Dehn joined the department in July of 2002. Since joining the Fire Department, he has been very active in training new members on driving and operating the CFD apparatus. Additional accomplishments and involvement include:  Firefighter I Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Aerial Fireman's Park Committee President
Secretary Kara Racine	On September 3rd, 1993 Kara Racine joined the Cedarburg Fire Department becoming a 2nd generation firefighter following her father into the fire service. She became a firefighter in 1996 upon completion of the state certificaton in firefighter 1. In 1997, she became the 1st woman to earn the title of Engineer (motor pump operator) with CFD. That same year she became a licensed Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT) and followed that with Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate Technician (EMT-1) in 2000. She was elected to the position of Secretary in May of 1998 and still continues as an active firefighter, EMT and engineer with the department along with being the chairperson of our membership committee. Additional accomplishments and involvement include: Firefighter I Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Aerial Fire Inspector Confined space awareness
Treasurer Dan Den Boer	Treasurer Den Boer joined the Cedarburg Fire Department in June of 2009.
Public Education Marci Hoerz	Public Education coordinator Hoerz joined the Cedarburg Fire Department in January of 2007.
Fire Inspector Robert Kaslick	Lieutenant Kaslick is a State of Wisconsin certified Fire Inspector. He has been serving as the department’s part-time Inspector since 2009. Prior to that, he assisted with inspections for 2 years while serving with the Richfield Fire Department. Currently, he is working to streamline the inspection process through software and technology upgrades.