RCFD Recruit Academy Underway
Academy includes eight new hires, seven previous hires
Rapid City, S.D. – The Rapid City Fire Department is pleased to
introduce eight individuals who began their careers as Rapid City Firefighters
on April 16. The eight employees are beginning their second week of the Rapid
City Fire Department academy. They will be joined in the academy by seven
employees that have been working in an EMS only capacity since November of
2017. The academy is an eleven-week training program that will test the
candidates mentally and physically as they prepare to serve the citizens of
Rapid City.
Steven Sprague: Recruit Sprague was born and raised in Rapid City. Steven says
that he has long dreamed of being a Rapid City Firefighter and he is excited
that his dream is now a reality. Steven and his girlfriend have three sons and
a daughter. He enjoys backpacking, snowboarding and martial arts.
Charles Siferd- Charles Siferd is a native of Kenosha, Wisconsin. At the age of
17, Recruit Siferd obtained his EMT certification. He then went on to become a
Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy Reserves and is currently attached
to the 4th Marine Division. Charles has since obtained Paramedic
certification and is excited to begin a career in fire and EMS in Rapid City.
Cody Heupel- Cody Heupel is a certified Paramedic. Cody brings with him
previous fire and EMS experience with the Sturgis Fire Department and Sturgis
Ambulance Service as well as the Keystone Ambulance Service. Cody is married
and has an eight month-old son. When he is not serving his community, Cody
enjoys outdoors pursuits and is an avid Colorado Avalanche fan.
Tyra Wheeler- Tyra Wheeler was born and raised in San Diego, California and
comes to the RCFD after a nearly 11 year career with the Imperial Beach Fire
Department where she reached the rank of Engineer/Paramedic. There, she was the
department’s first female firefighter. Tyra and her husband, Chase, are
currently working toward their goal of operating a cattle ranch that would
serve as a retreat for combat military veterans, law enforcement and first
responders.
Ethan Esposti- Ethan Esposti is a Black Hills native that was born and raised
outside of Keystone, South Dakota. Ethan is a graduate of Hill City High
School. Recruit Esposti gained fire service experience as a member of the
Battle Creek Fire Protection District and the Keystone Ambulance Service as
well as the Hill City Ambulance Service. Recruit Esposti is a certified
Paramedic and enjoys outdoors pursuits and ice hockey.
Wade Waugh- Wade Waugh is originally from Paxton, Nebraska where he was a
2012 graduate of Paxton High School. Recruit Waugh is a graduate of Chadron
State College with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in
Agribusiness and Finance. Wade has previous fire and EMS experience as a member
of the Chadron Fire Department. In December of 2017, Recruit Waugh obtained his
Paramedic certification. He is excited to be a Rapid City Firefighter.
Roy Kottwitz- Roy Kottwitz is also a life-long resident of the Black Hills.
Recruit Kottwitz was born and raised in Piedmont, South Dakota and is a
graduate of Sturgis Brown High School. Recruit Kottwitz is a second generation
firefighter following in the footsteps of his father who was a firefighter at
Ellsworth Air Force Base as well as Piedmont Fire Department. Roy has been a
volunteer with Piedmont Fire and Piedmont Ambulance for a number of years as
well as a full-time Piedmont Fire Department employee for the last six years.
Nick Knotek- Recruit Knotek was born and raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Nick
obtained his Paramedic certification in 2017 at Metropolitan Community College
in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a volunteer firefighter in Crescent, Iowa and worked
for a private ambulance company in Omaha, Nebraska. In his spare time, Recruit
Knotek enjoys playing guitar and rock climbing in his free time.
Congratulations and welcome to these eight fine individuals. We
are pleased to welcome them to the Rapid City Fire Department Family.
For media inquiries, questions or comment related to this
release, please contact the Rapid City Fire Department at (605)-394-4180.
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| Above: Recruit Class 2018-1 |
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