Things are Moving Quickly in the Search for New Public Safety Leaders in Wausau

Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

(Micheal Leischner, WSAU) Things are moving quickly in the search for new Public Safety leaders in Wausau.

The city's HR Manager James Henderson says the candidate pool for both jobs has filled quickly. "Right now we have about 12 applicants for the police position; Right now we have about 7 for the fire chief." He says applications have come from several states. "We've got candidates form 6 states. States as far away as California and Tennesse."

Henderson says that's something you don't hear every day in this labor market, which is good for the stability of both departments. "We are trending towards having both those position filled in a very timely manner."

Henderson says the police and fire commission does plan to give internal applicants a good look for both jobs, but they also want to make sure they get the right person. "These are very important positions and we want the very best candidate to put Wausau's best foot forward in the future."

Henderson says that he expects internal candidates for both jobs along with the national and regional applicants. If all goes as planned he expects the police job could be filled in August, just before Ben Bliven is set to resign, with movement on the Fire job later in the fall before Chief Bob Barteck's retirement.

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