7QUESTIONS+PLUS

Alan Kaddatz, the chief of the Wheatland Fire Department. Kaddatz became a firefighter when he was just 18 because he wanted to be more involved and give back to his community. He also knew how to drive a truck and operate pumping equipment from his work at Pat’s Services, where he continues to work. Kaddatz, who worked his way up the ranks, becoming a lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and then chief, credits retired and current firefighters for helping him. And in 20-plus years of firefighting, he says this month’s tornado gets the nod as the oddest call to which he’s ever responded.

Alan Kaddatz will now take your questions ...

How has your life changed since your experience during the Jan. 7 tornado? Certainly, I will never

take bad weather for granted again.

Floods, fires or tornadoes — Wheatland has seen them all. What is the hardest to deal with? Tornadoes.

What is your overall reaction to how the community and the county has handled all of the devastation? The community and the county have done marvelous things. People have helped one another and are really pulling through by supporting each other.

Do you think people respect the power of Mother Nature more now since the tornado? Do people respect the danger of fire as much as they should? I think people respect the power of Mother Nature more since the tornado. I know I surely do. Now that many people have seen what can happen first hand, things will not be taken for granted. The same with fire, if you have been involved with fire personally, it makes you more respectful.

What is your No. 1 tip for homeowners to prevent fires in their homes? Don’t smoke, don’t burn candles, attended or unattended. Don’t ever leave a battery charger unattended. Candles and battery chargers are a major pet peeve of mine.

Wheatland is a rural volunteer fire department. What are the differences between, say, a city department like Kenosha? I have never been a City of Kenosha firefighter so it is hard for me to comment. However, rural fires are just as dangerous and hot as city fires.

Does the Fire Department have a response time goal? How close is it to your expectations? Naturally, ASAP. In many cases we have people next door to the call or just down the street that can respond and start taking care of emergencies in a few minutes. My expectations are always met with response times, because of the number of members and mutual aid departments we work with.

How long does it take for dispatchers to process calls? How long does it take for firefighters to get on the road once they are notified they have an alarm? Dispatchers process calls in a few seconds. Firefighters are on the road in one to three minutes.

If there was a money tree growing behind the station and you could purchase one new piece of equipment for your department, what would it be? We are very fortunate. Our town officials have been able to support us and keep us up to date through the years. We could use more room at our station, but we make things work. The Fire Department is the Town as well as all the members that belong. We are all in this together, and we have never spent money where it is not needed.

When you were a little boy, did you dream about being a firefighter? What advice do you have for kids who would want to be a firefighter? I was never a (little) boy, but yes I did dream about being a firefighter. Kids that want to be a firefighter should see if a department in their area has an explorer program like some have. I wish we could start one.

Should there be more women in leadership roles in fire departments? Somebody wants to get me in trouble with this question. We have several women on our department and I don't have a problem with any of them. I think that was the right answer?

Why are fire trucks red? Tradition, but mainly because they stand out from other vehicles.

Do you get calls to rescue cats or other animals from trees? Yes. Unfortunately, we had a firefighter very seriously hurt one time about 20-plus years ago, so we handle these calls with extra care.

What is the oddest call you’ve responded to in all of your years as a firefighter? The tornado by far.
Are firefighters portrayed well in TV shows and movies? Who is your favorite firefighter in TV or film? Many times in movies and on TV shows firefighters are doing things that are unreal and would not be done in a real situation. I don’t have a favorite firefighter in TV or film.

Assuming your family was 100 percent safe, what would be the one item that you would pull from your home if it were going up in flames? My pets.

How mad were you after discovering the loss of the funds raised at the pancake breakfast and raffle? I wasn't mad, but I was very disappointed for all the members, the fire department auxiliary, Town of Wheatland citizens, and surrounding people and business that supported this fundraiser and so generously gave of their time and abilities.

How do you typically spend a week of vacation? My wife believes I don't know what a vacation is, but I do take time away for meetings, trade shows, and seminars that are work-related to my full-time employment.