By Shereen Siewert
KRONENWETTER, Wis. — Kronenwetter officials have chosen Kristopher Grod as the new chief of the village’s all-volunteer fire department.
Marathon County Chief Deputy Chad Billeb, who chairs the police and fire commission, said Grod was one of four candidates for the position and stood out due to his extensive leadership and field experience.
Grod, a native of Marathon County, is the associate dean of public safety at North Central Technical College. He will continue his role at NTC when he assumes the role, which opened up when longtime Chief Roger James retired at the end of 2018.
“(Grod) is just incredibly qualified,” Billeb said. “He has extensive technical experience as a firefighter and as an instructor.”
Kronenwetter’s department typically consists of a staff of about 30 volunteers. The department contracts for ambulance service with the South Area Fire District and often offers mutual aid to nearby departments.
Village Administrator Richard Downey said he is excited to begin working with Grod in the coming weeks.
