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 4^th 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.

Above: Recruit Class 2018-1

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