By Joe Bachman

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The Police and Fire Commission have named a new Interim Fire Chief.

Scott Young. (Photo: Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department Facebook)

Deputy Fire Chief Scott Young will be filling the role of retiring Fire Chief David Kerkman in early fall of this year. Young has been the “No. 2” in the department for seven years, and has been with the department since 1990.

Young also serves as the paramedic coordinator and shift commander for crew three. According to Fire Chief David Kerkman, Young brings years of experience and talent with the position, and the department is in good hands.

“He’s seen everything within the department, and has overseen the department when I’ve been on vacation in the past,” said Kerkman. “Scott’s been with us for a long time, knows all the members within the department, and has the respect of all them — he’s worked really hard to get where he’s at.”

Kerkman has been mentoring Young over the past month to prep him for his new role until an eventual decision can be made for a new fire chief. Young plans on applying for the permanent role of fire chief when the application and interview process gets underway.

“Young is a wise choice for interim,” said Kerkman. “The fire chief prior to myself, Mitch Waite, is the one that promoted him to deputy chief at the same time I was promoted to fire chief, and I concurred that Scott would be a good choice — I believe Scott is the perfect choice for this, also.”