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WSESI March 2026 News

Dear Colleagues,

As of March 1, 2024, the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) transitioned to the new ACADIS Testing and Certification System. All WTCS fire service certifications issued on or after March 1, 2024 are now available exclusively through this new system.

Important Details:

  • WTCS Fire Service Training ACADIS site:


    This ACADIS site is now the primary location to access and verify your current WTCS fire service certifications.

  • Entry-Level Courses:


    Entry-level fire courses are not tracked in ACADIS. Verification for these courses must be obtained directly from the college or training provider where the training occurred.

  • Legacy Certification Lookup System:


    The previous WTCS Fire Service Training Lookup system will be retired on April 1, 2026. After that date, certification information will only be available through the WTCS Fire Service Training ACADIS site. 

Please begin using the ACADIS site at Acadis Testing and Resources | moving forward to access or verify all WTCS fire service certifications. Please share and bookmark the new link.


Respectfully,


Ward Lyon 

Director - Fire Service Education and Training

Phone:  608-266-7289 



State Update: Youth Firefighter Training Grants Are in Play

Wisconsin DSPS opened the 2026 Youth Firefighter Training Grant Program on February 2, 2026, with applications due March 1, 2026. The program offers grants of up to $25,000 to qualified fire departments, technical colleges, and school districts to establish or expand youth firefighter recruitment and training programs. DSPS says the anticipated grant award announcement is March 23, 2026.


Why it matters: This is not just a funding item. It is a pipeline item. If Wisconsin wants future firefighters, instructors need to be involved early. Programs that connect high school students to basic fire and EMS education are no longer side projects. They are part of the long game.


EMS Instructor Update: Renewal Information Is Out

The Wisconsin DHS EMS memo library now lists new renewal memos dated February 12, 2026 for EMS Instructor II, EMR, EMT, AEMT, paramedic, and provider renewals.


Why it matters: If you teach EMS content, or if your department depends on current instructor status, this is one of those things that gets ignored until it becomes a problem. March is a good month to check credentials, verify renewal timelines, and make sure nobody is assuming they are current when they are not.

Free Training to Promote This Month

Highlight these in your station or agency training calendar:

Instruction Point: Stop Confusing Activity With Learning

One of the most important things an instructor can do this month is simplify. Spring training often turns into “do more, cover more, run more.” That feels productive, but it usually weakens retention. A better model is to cut each drill down to one core objective, one measurable benchmark, and one debrief point.

Instead of running one long, messy evolution, run three short, focused ones. Instead of saying, “We covered a lot,” ask, “What can they actually do better now?”


Why it matters: Good instructors do not just create movement. They create improvement.

Membership Renewal Reminder

It’s that time again — your Wisconsin Society of Emergency Service Instructors membership renewal is due. Staying current ensures your voice and experience continue to shape instructor standards, course development, and educational policy across the state.

Membership supports:

  • Advocacy for instructor recognition and certification standards.

  • Access to training opportunities, conference discounts, and instructor resources.

  • Networking with peers who share your same challenges and passion for teaching.

👉 Renew today to stay connected and continue supporting the mission of advancing fire and EMS education in Wisconsin. Renew Your Membership Here

Reframing an Old Idea: The Debrief Is the Lesson

Too many instructors still treat the debrief as the last five minutes after the real training is over. That is backward. The debrief is where students make meaning out of what just happened. It is where confusion gets fixed, overconfidence gets checked, and good reps turn into repeatable habits.

A simple debrief model for March drills:

  • What happened?

  • Why did it happen?

  • What will we repeat?

  • What will we change next time?


Why it matters: The debrief is where performance becomes learning. If you skip it, or rush it, you waste the evolution.




 
 
 

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