Wisconsin Fire Fighters Recognized for Bravery

Pictured with rescued family from left: Local 257 fire fighters Mike Becker, Mike Woodzicka, Doug Vrechek and Rick James.

October 6, 2010 – Six Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin (PFFW) members have been inducted into the Wisconsin State Fire and Police Hall of Fame for heroic and life-saving actions. The inductees include PFFW President and Appleton Local 257 President Mike Woodzicka, Local 257 members Rick James, Doug Vrechek and Mike Becker, and Menomonie Local 1697 members Pete Terry and Larry Zais.

Subsequently, all six were also recognized on the U.S. House floor by Representative Steve Kagen (WI). “Without question, the service of these brave fire fighters has been selfless and exemplary, and their induction into the Wisconsin Fire and Police Hall of Fame is very well-deserved,” said Representative Kagen. “I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting these truly heroic members of our community.”,

Menomonie Local 1697 members Pete Terry (right) and Larry Zais (left)

“As fire fighters, we don’t think about the potential dangers to ourselves when we enter a burning building,” says PFFW President Woodzicka. “All we are thinking about is getting any trapped victims out. We are humbled, but honored, that the State Fire and Police Hall of Fame and Representative Kagen recognized us.”

The Appleton Local 257 members received the honor for their actions on December 29, 2007. After traversing through icy city streets, the four arrived at a home with four children trapped inside.

With visibility at near zero because of smoke, Vrechek and Becker went in first and found two of the children in the front bedroom. Woodzicka and James also entered the home and found 15-month-old twins in a another bedroom. All four children made it out safely.

The Menomonie Local 1697 fire fighters were recognized for their bravery on February 25, 2010. Fire fighters were called to an apartment building used for University of Wisconsin student housing. When they arrived, bystanders told them than one student was still inside.

Terry and Zais were on the nozzle moving inside the building. Knowing that the hose-line would slow their efforts to find the missing woman, they handed the line to another crew and went up the stairs to search. Moments later, they found the barely conscious woman on the floor. The two fire fighters picked her up and carried her outside to safety.

The Wisconsin Hall of Fame includes more than 50 fire fighters and police officers since the first members were inducted in 1998. It was created to honor fire fighters and police officers from the state who have performed a specific heroic act, been an innovator in advancing the productivity or safety of fire or police services, or have provided community service that went far above and beyond expectations.