Fire Service Education and Training History

On March 22, 1977 the Wisconsin Board of Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education (WBVTAE); since renamed the Wisconsin Technical College System Board (WTCSB) prepared a plan for the WTCS to provide fire service education and training throughout the state.

On April 26, 1977, the Acting Governor of Wisconsin designated the WTCSB as the agency authorized to establish, coordinate and supervise fire service education and training in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Statutes 38.04(9) and 38.12(9) provide for a training program in fire prevention and protection to be made available to members of volunteer and paid fire departments maintained by cities, villages and towns. The program is supported by a funding source comprised of 2 percent of all fire insurance premiums underwritten in the state, and essentially provides free training for members of Wisconsin fire departments.

While much of the training and education is delivered on-site in all 16 technical college districts, performance-based live fire training is almost exclusively relegated to 10 Regional Fire Training Centers strategicaly located in selected WTCS districts.

WTCS Fire Service Training Mission Statement
WTCS Fire Service Mission Statement.

WTCS Fire Service Training Vision Statement
WTCS Fire Service Training Vision Statement.

Last modified: March 8, 2010

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