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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
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Assistant Chief Jeffery Vahsholtz
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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.
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Deputy Chief Jeffery Boerner
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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.
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Deputy Chief Safety Officer Daniel Henke
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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.
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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
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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
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Engine & Ladder Company

Captain Scott Matusewic
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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
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Lieutenant Whitney Dobson
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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
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Lieutenant Brian Neuman
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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
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Lieutenant Richard Cass
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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
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Lieutenant Andrew Heidtke
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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
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Rescue Company

Captain Kim Gordon
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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
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Lieutenant Grant Witte
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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
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Lieutenant Melissa Gall
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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
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Lieutenant Kevin Glamm
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Lieutenant Glamm joined the Cedarburg Fire Department
in November of 2007 and was promoted to Lieutenant of
Rescue Company in November of 2011.
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Dive Team Leader Kevin McCarthy
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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
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Extrication Leader Joseph Hintz
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Extrication Leader Hintz joined the Cedarburg Fire
Department in July of 2008 and became Extrication Leader
in November of 2011.
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Bureau of Training

Captain Mike LaRosa
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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
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Lieutenant Robert Kaslick
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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
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Administrative Officers

Park Board President Don Dehn
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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
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Secretary Kara Racine
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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
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Treasurer Dan Den Boer
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Treasurer Den Boer joined the Cedarburg Fire
Department in June of 2009.
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Public Education Marci Hoerz
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Public Education coordinator Hoerz joined the
Cedarburg Fire Department in January of 2007.
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Fire Inspector Robert Kaslick
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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.
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