Wauwatosa Fire Chief James Case has decided to call it a career after a quarter century of service; he will retire on Friday, January 16. Chief Case leaves behind a trail of accomplishments, including 35 years donned in uniform, split between fire service and active duty in the military, and leading Wauwatosa’s emergency management amidst challenges as varied as civil unrest and the RNC 2024, as reported by the official City of Wauwatosa website.
Chief James Case announced his retirement after 25 years with the Wauwatosa Fire Department, saying, “Serving this community for the last 25 years has been the most rewarding experience of my life.” His departure comes amid ongoing discussions about a potential merger with the West Allis Fire Department. Assistant Chief Barbara Kadrich will assume the role of Interim Fire Chief early this year. Kadrich brings 27 years of experience with the department and a collaborative leadership approach, providing continuity during the leadership transition.
During his tenure, Chief James Case oversaw the addition of paramedics and advanced life support equipment on every Wauwatosa fire truck. Under his leadership, the department became the first in Wisconsin to equip firefighters with whole blood, a critical advancement in emergency response. Case also played a key role in establishing operational sharing with Milwaukee Fire Station 55 and led early discussions that could pave the way for a potential merger between the Wauwatosa and West Allis fire departments, as per the City of Wauwatosa…