West Bend, WI – A hat tip to West Bend Fire Chief Gerald Kudek for his commitment to the West Bend Fire Department.
Kudek is retiring after 38 years of service. It started as a childhood “Dream job come true to be a firefighter.” Kudek began his career as an on-call firefighter in October of 1984.
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Within two years he advanced to on-call rescue squad and in 1989 was sworn in as a firefighter/AEMT with the West Bend Fire Department.
“Chief Kudek has been a dedicated servant to the Emergency Services in Washington County and in Wisconsin. Always willing to accept challenges to help all involved in the emergency services. He was very instrumental in helping all of the fire departments in Washington County to accept and enroll into the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System [MABAS]. The system is a predetermined mutual aid response to incidents that a fire department may be challenged with.”
– Ron Naab, Allenton Fire Department
Kudek was named Battalion Chief in April 1997, tabbed interim chief in March 2000, and was named fire chief in December 2012 following the retirement of Chief Jim Vest.
Kudek was Battalion Chief before taking over when Chief Jim Vest stepped down after 12 years in December 2012. At that time Kudek was one of four candidates to apply for the job; all who applied were from within the department.
“I’d like to thank Chief Kudek for his strong support of Community Risk Reduction (CRR) and fire prevention efforts. He has allowed a great number of the donations received from the community to be used for supporting the smoke alarm installation program. This means city residents receive a free carbon monoxide alarm, as well as other fire prevention materials, when smoke alarms are being installed in their homes.”
– West Bend Fire Department Captain Kenny Asselin
Kudek is a local graduate of Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School and UW-Washington County (now UWM at Washington County) where he earned an associate degree. Kudek extended his education at Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Fire Science Management degree, and he participated in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Maryland.
While working with the fire department Kudek also manages to participate in the community; he served on the parish council at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in West Bend and on the board of directors for Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School as well as the American Legion.
“I have known Gerry for a long time, and he has always put his heart and soul into making the West Bend Fire Department, MABAS Division 111, and the fire service as a whole, the best it can be. He is a good man that cares about the people he serves and cares deeply about each of the people in his department he leads. I am proud to have worked with him as a colleague, considered him a mentor and most importantly, I am proud to call him a life-long friend. I wish him nothing but the best as he transitions into this well-deserved next chapter of his life.”
– Hartford Fire Chief Paul Stephans
Over the years Kudek has been recognized by area organizations including:
– 2018 UWM at Washington County Alumnus of the Year
– 2021 American Legion Firefighter of the Year
– Certificate of achievement from Governor Scott Walker in 2012
“Seven years ago, I took on a new role as a Fire Chief in Jackson. Being a young chief, I looked for someone who could help lead and guide me. Chief Kudek was the chief that steered me in the right direction. Â He took me to many conferences and helped build my networking with all the career chiefs in the state of Wisconsin. He has been a mentor and friend for all these years. Thank you Chief Kudek. You will be missed!”
– Jackson Fire Chief Aaron A. Swaney
Kudek is retiring May 27, 2023, at the age of 58.
