City of De Pere

THROWBACK THURSDAY On March 13, 1971, the City of De Pere officially dedicated its current City Hall, marking the first time the City had a building specifically designed for that purpose. Construction of the new City Hall began in March 1970, and its dedication ceremony a year later featured speeches, a cornerstone-laying ceremony, and a ribbon cutting. Congressman John W. Byrnes delivered the keynote address. Among City leaders in attendance were Mayor Roger Rebman and former Mayor John Growt, under whose leadership construction had begun. Photo courtesy of the De Pere Historical Society archives. www.deperehistory.org.

The City of De Pere seeks to hire an experienced, decisive, forward thinking, approachable, creative, and team-oriented visionary Fire Chief to direct and administer the overall operations, programs, maintenance, development, and promotion of De Pere Fire Rescue. This opening is due to the retirement of our long-serving current chief. For more information and to apply, click here: https://loom.ly/Tl8m2j8

March 7 is National Employee Appreciation Day! The City of De Pere is proud to recognize our dedicated employees who keep our community running. We also offer a special thank you to all the hardworking employees in local businesses, schools, and nonprofits who contribute to making De Pere a great place to live, work, play, and visit!

THROWBACK THURSDAY This day in history ... on March 6, 1872, the De Pere Fire Co. officially transitioned from a private organization to a City department, marking the beginning of what is now De Pere Fire Rescue. What started with two teams of 10 firefighters has since grown into a professional department with nearly 50 full-time and part-time personnel, serving a community of over 25,000 residents. To celebrate this milestone, here's a look back to 1970, when De Pere’s newest fire truck, a Seagrave pumper, was delivered and prepared for service. Capable of pumping 1,250 gallons per minute, the truck was the city’s most advanced firefighting vehicle at the time, ensuring greater protection for the community. ?? Photo courtesy of the De Pere Historical Society archives. www.deperehistory.org.

After a long and dedicated career, Mike Wessley is retiring today (March 1, 2025), and we would like to thank him for his years of commitment and service. Mike joined De Pere Fire Rescue in 1999. He has provided 25 years of total service throughout his career to the City of De Pere. Over the course of this time, he has been committed to protecting our community, and we sincerely appreciate his contributions. We wish him all the best in retirement! ????

Nine civic clubs within the City of De Pere honored the dedicated service and outstanding contributions of their public safety personnel on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, during the annual "Beyond the Call & Outstanding Public Safety Member Recognition" banquet. Among the 2024 honorees were two exceptional administrative professionals who went above and beyond to keep the De Pere Police Department running smoothly during a year of unexpected challenges. Also recognized was a longtime leader in De Pere Fire Rescue, whose four decades of service have left a lasting impact on public safety and emergency response in our community. Congrats to Michelle Julius & Lisa Harley (Police Department) and Chief Alan Matzke (Fire Rescue) on their well-deserved recognition! Click here for more info on the work that led to their honors: https://loom.ly/H-D6N20

ON THIS DAY: De Pere Fire Rescue got its first "Jaws of Life" on Feb. 24, 1977. The "Jaws of Life" are vital to our rescue toolkit. These hydraulic rescue tools give us the ability to free people from vehicles involved in accidents. Teamwork and precision make all the difference in these critical moments, and we train regularly with this tool. De Pere Fire Rescue's fleet currently includes three sets of these powerful tools—two hydraulic and one battery-powered—each weighing around 60 lbs.

?? De Pere Fire Rescue is hiring! If you’re looking for a career that challenges you, pushes you, and makes a real impact—apply today! ?? Details & application: https://loom.ly/u0S-hMM

?? It’s the last day of National Engineers Week! ?? A big thank you to the hardworking team of knowledgeable experts in the City of De Pere’s Engineering Division! This group plays a pivotal role in the design and construction of many things that keep De Pere running smoothly and evolving with demand. Their expertise also ensures that homes, businesses, parks, schools, and organizations remain accessible and in good working order for our community. #EngineersWeek

THROWBACK THURSDAY ??? In 1956, De Pere Fire Rescue issued its annual report. Shown here is Chief Jacobs and staff looking at the report, which listed 98 total calls, including 71 within City limits. To view the most recent annual report from De Pere Fire Rescue, visit: https://loom.ly/FPLxLoU ?? ?? Photo courtesy of the De Pere Historical Society archives. www.deperehistory.org.