Early this month, the Merrill Fire Department (MFD) announced the hiring of their 190th member, Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/P) Ryan Dunn. After completing all of the necessary hiring requirements, FF/P Dunn started on Monday, April 1, 2024, and was sworn in on April 4. He participated in a weeklong orientation program before joining his new shift, B-Crew, on April 10. After completion of 10 work shifts, he will be considered part of the daily minimum staffing. These shifts give him time to learn the basics of the job for the department. Dunn replaced one of two vacant positions at the MFD.
Dunn is a 2009 graduate of Hartford Union High School, and then Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and Mid-State Technical College (MSTC). Since going to school and throughout his career, Ryan earned his Wisconsin state Firefighter I & II, Driver/Operator – Pumper & Aerial, Fire Officer I, Emergency Services Instructor I, and hazardous material technician certifications. Additionally, he is licensed as a Wisconsin EMT – Paramedic with a Critical Care Paramedic endorsement.
In addition to his formal education, FF/P Dunn comes to the MFD with previous fire and EMS experience. He started his emergency service career with the Neillsville Fire Department in 2012 and served with them until 2016. That same year, Dunn was hired by Ashland Fire Department as a firefighter/EMT and stayed with them until he was hired by Marshfield Fire & Rescue in 2019. Dunn also joined the Stratford Area Fire Department in 2019.
Ryan and his wife, Brianna, have been married for three years. They have a two-year-old son, Easton. Brianna works as a Nurse Practitioner for the Marshfield Clinic. In the future, the Dunn family hopes to move closer to Merrill to become part of our community. The Dunns enjoy hunting and fishing, and pretty much anything outdoors.
“I am excited to join Merrill Fire because it was a great opportunity that fit my family’s schedule and goals,” Ryan said. The MFD is confident he will be a great addition to the staff. “When we went through this last hiring process, we specifically targeted Ryan because he stood out to us in the previous process as a potential good fit for our department,” MFD Chief Josh Klug said. The department only had two viable applicants in the process, which illustrates the dire need for more emergency service responders. “Regardless of the number of applicants, it was clear that Dunn was our guy,” Klug said. “We think he and his family will do some great things for our department and our community.”
MFD will host a badge pinning ceremony for FF/P Ryan Dunn in the future. The exact date and time will be announced later and the public invited. In the meantime, the MFD is excited to have Ryan as their 190th member and encourages the public to welcome him to our community.
