MADISON– Representative Robyn Vining honored all first responders who were involved in the August 2025 flood response in Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Elm Grove at the Wisconsin State Capitol today as part of the Wisconsin State Assembly’s First Responders of the Year ceremony. Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) released the following statement:
“The first responders across the 13th Assembly District who responded to the historic August 2025 floods all demonstrated remarkable service and courage. Their extraordinary efforts ensured that there was not a single serious physical injury to any residents or first responders—a remarkable feat amidst the most severe flooding we’ve seen in decades.
“I am honored to recognize all those who responded to the August 2025 floods through the Wisconsin State Assembly’s ‘First Responder of the Year’ award. These first responders saved lives and provided much-needed assistance to those affected by the floods, and they continue to serve our community as we recover.
“I commend each individual, as well as the Wauwatosa Fire Department, Wauwatosa Police Department, Elm Grove Police Department, Elm Grove Emergency Medical Service, Elm Grove Public Works Department, Elm Grove Fire Department, Brookfield Police Department, and the Brookfield Fire Department, for their service to our community, and our community members. Forward, together.”
The individuals honored as part of the “First Responder of the Year” Award for the 13th Assembly District are:
Brookfield Fire Department: Fire Chief Chris Cass, Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Wachtl, Deputy Chief Darrin Kuwitzky, Deputy Chief Korey Suckow, Deputy Chief Blake Klingle, Lieutenant Brian Dobratz, Lieutenant Matthew Caine, Lieutenant Steve Warren, Acting Lieutenant Chris Weller, Equipment Operator Ben Heintz, Equipment Operator Jefferey Knollenberg, Equipment Operator John Lathrop, Firefighter Shannon Carroll, Firefighter Andrew Schmidt, Firefighter Kerry Anderson, Firefighter Thomas Colloton, Firefighter Oliver Schneider, Firefighter Joseph Jankowski, Firefighter Daniel Karinen, Firefighter Riley Fregien, Firefighter Benjamin Videkovich, Firefighter Noemi Barinaga, Firefighter Allen Oehlke, Firefighter Zach Pratt
Brookfield Police Department: Sergeant Samuel Versnik, Officer Kaleb McDonald, Officer Thomas Hodkiewicz, Officer Donovan Lauda, Officer Jason Krueger, Officer Kaleb Martin, Officer Max Faulstich, Officer Andrew Wichlacz, Officer Brandon Schulz
Wauwatosa Fire Department: Captain Ryan Becker, Firefighter Tyler Ignaczak, Firefighter Chris Riemer, Firefighter Zac Thomas, Firefighter Tony Kanvik, Firefighter Nic Paoli, Captain Rob Reid, Heavy Equipment Operator Paul Novak, Firefighter Robert Guenther, Firefighter Nicole Brewer, Lieutenant John Schneider, Firefighter Austin Murphy, Firefighter Donavon Church, Firefighter Brady Wendt, Lieutenant Jake Patnode, Firefighter Nic Pridgeon, Firefighter Rehrauer, Firefighter Ben Tejada, Lieutenant Bryan Tello, Firefighter James Hogan III, Lieutenant Fred Ehrett, Heavy Equipment Operator Dave Rucinski, Firefighter Alec Randow, Firefighter Tyler Larsen, Firefighter Matt Gilanyi, Heavy Equipment Operator Eric Latter, Firefighter Allen Fuchs, Firefighter Brett Wudtke, Heavy Equipment Operator Michael Wirth, Firefighter Bradley Hafemann, Firefighter Mike Robertson, Heavy Equipment Operator Alex Warmka, Firefighter Joe Lueptow, Lieutenant Brian Wojciechowski, Firefighter Adam Wendt, Firefighter Adam Bartelme, Firefighter Josh Reichert, Lieutenant Henry Wendt VII, Heavy Equipment Operator Zac Ruggirello, Firefighter Kyle Smith, Firefighter Matt Rick, Firefighter Shea Abernathy, Battalion Chief Chris Sandoval, Battalion Chief Jeremy Blair
Wauwatosa Police Department: Dispatcher Kyle Meltesen, Dispatcher Makela Humke, Dispatcher Brianna Potter, Dispatcher Scott Burgardt, Dispatcher Tia Harris, Dispatcher Kerri Jay, Officer Zosia Bartosik, Officer Colan Eigenbrod, Officer Jacob Faber, Officer Shaun Foster, Officer Collin George, Officer Alexander Herrera, Officer Teagan Joyce, Officer Tyler Pytlik, Officer Benjamin Rebholz, Officer Patrick Baker, Officer Chad Bublitz, Officer Travis Machalk, Officer Trevor Millonzi, Officer Jaime Mohs, Officer Evan Olson, Officer Wesley Reed-Walton, Officer Eli Streeter, Patrol Specialist Danial Mitchell, Sergeant Thomas Orlowski, Sergeant Ryan Schwabenlander, Sergeant Jordan Yandre, Lieutenant Joseph Zientek, Lieutenant Bradley Beckman, Capt. Shane Wrucke, Chief James MacGillis
Elm Grove Fire Department: Fire Chief Brian Naylor, Captain Dale Pekel, Firefighter Tim Flanner, Motor Pump Operator Brian Gerstmeier, Firefighter Paul Martin, Firefighter Claudia Roedl, Firefighter Ben Roy, Firefighter Daniel Gardner, Motor Pump Operator John Lieske, Lieutenant Andrew Luke
Elm Grove Police Department: Officer Peter Holmes, Officer Brent Sluka, Dispatcher Carlee Mayer, Dispatcher Wendy Priest, Officer Evan Schano, Sergeant Christopher Douglas, Sergeant Preston Nobile, Lieutenant Natalie Riley, Chief Jason Hennen
Elm Grove Emergency Medical Service: Curt Waddell, Acting EMS Director, & Eddie Poggenburg, EMT
Elm Grove Department of Public Works: Richard Paul Jr, Director; Mark Becker, Superintendent/Forestor; Tim White, Foreman; Eli Swan, Mechanic; Brian Kelly, Safety; Greg Collins, Laborer; Jake Hanson, Laborer; Jeff Regan, Laborer
Rep. Vining represents the 13th Assembly District, which includes Elm Grove, and parts of Wauwatosa and Brookfield. For more information visit Rep. Vining’s website here.
