The quiet of a Reedsburg Area High School classroom is occasionally broken by a sound most students only hear in movies. It’s a sharp, mechanical chirp—the sound of a walkie-talkie and beeper alerting Dylan Wagner ’27 that someone, somewhere in the district, needs help.
While the sudden noise was startling to his peers at first, it has now become a familiar part of the school day. For Wagner, the alert represents a bridge between two very different lives.
At RAHS, Wagner is a visible part of student life. He is active in the music department, having performed in last fall’s production of Newsies and currently singing with the Chamber Singers. When he isn’t on stage, he can often be found on the sidelines as a manager for the track and field team. But for the junior who also serves as a volunteer firefighter in Hillpoint, that mechanical chirp is more than just a distraction; it is a call to duty that takes precedence over everything else.
“It’s honestly just another thing on my priority list, but it’s at the top of that list” Wagner said. “When I get paged out, I drop what I’m doing entirely.”
“A Gosh Darn Good Kid”
Wagner’s commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed by those training him. Darren Jorgenson, a Fire Service Instructor with Madison College, has seen many students come through his entry-level courses, but says Wagner stands out for his singular focus—especially notable given his young age.
“Dylan really stands out as very focused and interested in that line of work which we absolutely need,” Jorgenson said. “He’s pleasant to be around, he’s coachable and the biggest thing is that he’s focused… This makes him very valuable.”
Jorgenson, who is preparing Wagner for his state practical exam in early May, notes that while many students join to better understand their family’s history in the service, Wagner has the “character and work ethic” to be a long-term asset to any department. “He knows that his community will benefit from him as a firefighter,” Jorgenson added. “It’s a way to step up and give back. It’s not boring!”
Following the Footsteps
That desire to serve was fostered at home. Dylan’s father, Derek Wagner—a 2002 RAHS graduate—served for well over a decade in Rock Springs, Hillpoint, Lake Delton, and with the Spring Green DNR. Growing up, Dylan watched his father respond to people at their most challenging moments, providing a steady hand in the chaos.
“I’m very proud of him,” Derek said. “He saw me enjoy helping other people when it was at their worst times. And he is not afraid to help and go above and beyond. He’s not a normal teenager; teenagers get in trouble—but he doesn’t get in trouble because he is focused on being a good kid and doing what he can do to help people.”
The Reality of the Job
The transition from student-athlete manager to first responder requires a level of maturity that Dylan takes seriously. He emphasizes that “situational awareness” is the most critical skill he has developed, noting that losing focus can lead to “tunnel vision,” a dangerous state for any responder.
“It’s an important job,” Dylan said. “You could kill somebody or yourself if you make a mistake.”
This responsibility means pushing through personal fears. For Dylan, that meant conquering a dislike of heights during training. “Doing the portion of the training on ladders while carrying other ladders going onto the roof of a three-story building was a really big step for me,” he admitted.
Looking Toward the Horizon
As he nears the completion of his certified classes and prepares for his state exam, Dylan is looking toward a full-time career. While he knows a professional role might eventually lead him to a bigger city, his motivation remains the same as the one he learned from his father: being there for people in stressful situations.
His advice to fellow RAHS students who may want to pursue an unconventional or demanding path is to ignore the noise and trust their own gut.
“People will make fun of you for doing it or think it’s not possible… but the only person that knows what they want is yourself,” Dylan said. “So don’t let anyone tell you differently.”