Eleven Set to Join the Ranks of Rapid City's Bravest

RCFD Recruit Academy 2019-1 began Monday

Above: Fire Operations Division Chief Nick Carlson welcomes RCFD Recruit Academy 2019-1 on Monday morning. The group is beginning a 12-week academy to become Rapid City Firefighters.

Rapid City, S.D. -  Earlier today we celebrated the beginning of Rapid City Fire Department Recruit Academy 2019-1. A total of 11 employees will be participating in the 12 week academy-style training program that will test the candidates mentally and physically as they prepare to serve the citizens of Rapid City. Seven of the candidates have been working in an EMS only capacity since March of 2019. Four of the recruits have spent the last two weeks in an orientation process that included basic EMS training. The recruits are scheduled to graduate in early November.

The four newest recruits are:

Sheldon Brakke- Sheldon was born and raised in South Dakota. After his high school graduation, Recruit Brakke joined the United States Marine Corps serving for four years in the infantry. His service in the USMC included two deployments. Sheldon joined the South Dakota Army National

Guard in 2012 and currently holds the rank of Sergeant serving with the 842^nd Engineer Company. Recruit Brakke has previous emergency services experience as a Trooper with the South Dakota Highway Patrol where he served for nearly five years. Sheldon is engaged with four children. He enjoys outdoors pursuits in his free time.

Matt Heinrich- Matt was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota before relocating to Rapid City as a child. Working around his family ranch, Recruit Heinrich learned the values of hard work and dedication. It was while working on the ranch that he discovered his love of firefighting. As a member of the Rapid Valley Fire Department, Matt has gained valuable experience. Recruit Heinrich is engaged and has two daughters.

Evan Kleinpaste- Recruit Kleinpaste grew up in Ohio. He attended college at the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he received a bachelor’s degree. After graduation from the University of Wyoming, Evan enrolled at Casper College where he studied Fire Science and obtained an associate’s degree. Before coming to the RCFD, Recruit Kleinpaste was employed with South Dakota Wildland Fire. He is married and has two children. Recruit Kleinpaste is excited to begin his career with the RCFD.

Coleman Quinlivan- Coleman was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After graduating from Lincoln High School, he moved to Casper, Wyoming to attend Casper College and pursue a degree in Fire Science. After graduating with and associates degree, Recruit Quinlivan began his Fire Service career with the Bureau of Land Management in Casper as a seasonal firefighter. Coleman looks forward to a long and successful career with the RCFD.

The four new recruits join Larry Eide, Drew Hill, Nick Jasnoch, Deitric McConnell, Erich Peterson, Karin Shoemaker and Chad Uchytil in the academy.

We wish to welcome and congratulate our four newest members and wish all 11 members of Recruit Academy 2019-1 a successful academy. For questions or comment related to this release, please contact Lt. Jim Bussell, Public Information Officer for the Rapid City Fire Department, at 605-394-4180.

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