Chief David Briggs shares a laugh with his family moments after being sworn in on Jan. 24. (Metro Wire photo)

Former Stevens Point firefighter sworn in as Riverside’s new chief

January 26, 2025

By Brandi Makuski

ROTHSCHILD — Marathon County has welcomed a new fire chief to its ranks.

David Briggs, a veteran firefighter with more than 14 years of service at the Stevens Point Fire Department was sworn in as the new chief of the Riverside Fire District on Jan. 24. Briggs, 41, also served for nearly five years as training chief for the Wausau Fire Department.

Briggs was selected from a competitive pool of more than a dozen applicants. The ceremony, held at the district’s headquarters, brought together his family, Wausau-area first responders, and colleagues and friends from Portage County.

During the event, Interim Fire Chief Jody Clements reflected on the department’s progress under his leadership and expressed confidence in Briggs’ ability to lead.

“This is a positive time for the Riverside Fire District,” Clements said. “It makes me feel good that I’m leaving the keys in very capable hands. All the stakeholders involved with the district are going to be very pleased to work with Chief Briggs.”

Briggs was pinned by his older son, Zenon, and received his white chief’s helmet from his younger son, Weston, while his wife, Katie, looked on. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a family-centered culture within the district.

“The members of this district made it very apparent during the interview process that this is a strong family atmosphere,” Briggs said. “My family and I are very close, and we plan on bringing that atmosphere to the district as much as possible.”

Briggs also spoke about his goals for the department, highlighting a collaborative approach.

“At this point, I’m learning from them just as much as they hope to receive guidance from me,” he said. “We’re focused on service and taking care of each other, and that’s exactly what we plan to do.”

Clements, who served as interim chief since September, praised Briggs’ qualifications and shared a personal connection, noting they first met nearly two decades ago during fire service training.

“His leadership has set a path for me to succeed moving forward,” Briggs said, thanking Clements for his mentorship.

The Riverside Fire District, which serves Rothschild and Schofield, is governed by a fire commission and operates with a mix of full-time, part-time, and paid-on-call firefighters.

Briggs also owns Firefighter Training, Development, and Coaching LLC, a training and consulting firm he plans to continue operating on the side.

He closed his remarks on Friday with gratitude for the opportunity to lead.

“This day is something I didn’t plan for, but it feels right,” he said. “I’m honored to serve the district and excited to move forward together.”

Editor’s note: The Metro Wire is a hyperlocal publication and we generally don’t cover news outside of Portage Co. We agreed to cover this event at the family’s request as Chief Briggs was a longtime firefighter in Stevens Point.