Nine Join the Ranks of Rapid City's Bravest

New recruits to begin riding Medic Units on Monday

Rapid City, S.D. - It is a special day at the Rapid City Fire Department as nine new Rapid City Firefighters begin their careers with the department. The newest RCFD Recruits were hired to address vacancies brought on by retirements and resignations. After an abbreviated three-week EMS Academy—commanded by Lt. Hunter Harlan, Lt. Keith Trojanowski and Firefighter/Paramedic John Potter—the recruits will begin working in the Operations Division on Monday. The new recruits will be assigned to RCFD Medic Units until a later date when they will participate in a comprehensive, eleven-week RCFD Academy.  

Each recruit brings a unique background and experience to the department. The recruits are:

Larry Eide- Recruit Eide was born in Duluth, MN, moved to Wisconsin and Colorado before making it to Custer, SD where he graduated high school. Larry attended college for two years before beginning work at a coal mine in Gillette, WY where he worked for six years. Recruit Eide obtained his EMT certification and has previous Fire Service experience with the Piedmont Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management in Belle Fourche, SD. In his free time, Recruit Eide and his wife enjoy traveling the world, having visited places such as Vietnam and Thailand together. He also enjoys training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, mountain biking, and rock climbing. 

Drew Hill- Recruit Hill is a lifelong resident of Hot Springs, SD and has long aspired to be a Rapid City Firefighter. Drew began his Fire Service career as a volunteer firefighter in 2010 with the Hot Springs Fire Department and obtained an associate’s degree degree in Fire Science from Western Dakota Tech in 2013. Recruit Hill worked for four years with South Dakota Wildland Fire before working as a firefighter with the US Department of Veterans Affairs in Hot Springs. Drew is a father of a four year-old daughter. Together, they enjoy summers at the lake and spending time with their St. Bernard. 

Nicholas Jasnoch- Recruit Jasnoch is a graduate of Rock Springs, WY High School. He has previous fire service experience with the Presho, SD Fire Department, the United States Forest Service and currently volunteers with the North Haines Fire Department in Rapid City. Nick recently obtained his National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification as an EMT. Recruit Jasnoch is married and has two dogs, Deacon and Meka.  

John Krejci- Recruit Krejci is a veteran of the United States Army. He is a special operations combat veteran and just recently transitioned out of a career as a consultant to the state department and the intelligence community giving him a combined 20 years of service to our country. During his military career, Recruit Krejci deployed to combat zones every year since 2002, often multiple times during a year.  He and his wife, Marissa, have an awesome 6 year old boy named Greyson. John is excited and looking forward to beginning his career with the Rapid City Fire Department.

Dietric McConnell- Recruit McConnell was born in Amery, WI and moved to Rapid City when he was 14 years old. Dietric enjoys outdoors pursuits and physical fitness as his hobbies include hunting, hiking, working out and spending time with family and friends. He is the youngest of four siblings. A graduate of Hill City High School and Black Hills State University, Dietric feels a call to serve and is excited to serve with his hometown Fire Department. 

Erich Peterson- Recruit Peterson is originally from Rapid City, SD.  He received an associate's degree in fire science from Western Dakota Tech. He and his wife, Katie, have been married 8 years and are parents to two young boys aged 4 and 2. Erich enjoys spending time with his family, going to the lake, hiking, landscaping, playing sports and spending time with his dogs. Of joining the Rapid City Fire Department, Erich said; "I'm excited for the opportunity I have with Rapid City Fire Department to grow, not only as an individual, but a great team member as well as to learn every aspect of the career as I can to better help our community." 

Karin Shoemaker- Recruit Shoemaker was born and raised in Rapid City, graduating from Central High School. She studied Health Sciences at the University of South Dakota and completed her EMT in 2018 with the Rapid City Fire Department. She is currently living in New Underwood with her husband Josh and 3 daughters Trynyty (15), Taylor (12) and Ava (9). Karin is active with the New Underwood Volunteer Fire Department and is also serving on the New Underwood City Council. Karin has a strong passion for emergency medicine, with a goal of completing the Rapid City Fire Department Paramedic program.

Chad Uchytil-  Recruit Uchytil was born in Aberdeen, SD and moved to Rapid City as a young child. After high school, Chad attended Black Hills State University and received a bachelor’s degree in biology. He and his wife, Madison, have a three and a half year old daughter and a baby boy born one week ago today. In his free time, Recruit Uchytil likes to backpack, hunt, fish, trap shoot, mountain bike, and to spend time in the outdoors. He is eager to begin a career with the RCFD and grateful to have the opportunity to serve the community of Rapid City.

Jacob Wasem- Recruit Wasem is a native of Horace, North Dakota. An Edmonton Oilers fan, Jacob grew up playing hockey and looks forward to following the Rapid City Rush. Outside of work, Recruit Wasem enjoys outdoors pursuits such as mountain biking, hiking, hunting and fishing and is an avid golfer. Recruit Wasem has previous Fire Service experience with the Horace, ND Fire Department and obtained a Fire Science certification from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Morehead, Minnesota.

The newest members of the RCFD are pictured above with their instructors. 
Front Row, Left to Right: Jacob Wasem, Nicholas Jasnoch, Karin Shoemaker, Drew Hill, John Krejci
Back Row, Left to Right: Lt. Hunter Harlan, Dietrich McConnell, Chad Uchytil, Larry Eide, Erich Peterson, Firefighter/Paramedic John Potter

The Rapid City Fire Department is pleased and excited to have nine outstanding recruits join our ranks. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming these fine individuals.

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