Latest news with #SFFR
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sioux Falls Fire Rescue recruiting new firefighters
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Sioux Falls Fire Rescue is looking for new firefighters for its 2026 Cadet Academy. Applications will open up on Monday, April 28, and run till May 21. The minimum requirements to be eligible are: Graduated from high school or received GED Be between the ages of 21-44 Meet basic fitness/health requirements. No college education or previous experience in firefighting is necessary. 'The way we see it, we can teach skills within firefighting and emergency medical services, but we can't often teach the intangible skills of attitude, dedication, and a willingness to learn,' Talent Acquisition Coordinator for the City of Sioux Falls Chad Quissell said in Wednesday's city briefing. Conservation groups hopeful for funding restoration SFFR hires once per year for firefighters. Here's a look at the hiring process timeline: April 28 to May 21, 2025: Firefighter position open for application June 3, 2025: Online entrance examination for all applicants (No fire knowledge/experience needed) June 2025: Interview for selected candidates July to October 2025: Conditional employment offers extended and complete pre-employment screen process January 2026: Firefighter cadet class starts 18-week paid training academy Currently, SFFR has more than 200 team members that serve in 12 fire stations around the city, and is one of the largest fire departments in the upper Midwest. Noem to speak at Dakota State commencement 'If you're looking for a career where you can make a real impact in your community, and where every day presents a new challenge and a chance to help others, then a career with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue may be for you,' said Quissell. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SFFR hosts event for women interested in firefighting
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Kyle Blakeslee and Rachel Van Beek have spent months preparing for this weekend. They'll be teaching 19 people everything from how to use a fire extinguisher to how they put out a car fire. 'I'm excited to see how it's going to go. Like I said, we've been planning this for at least a good six months. Put a lot of work into it,' said Van Beek, a captain with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue. 'I hope everyone has a good time. Looking forward to the feedback on things we can improve on things, that went well.' LIST: $9.1M in federal spending cuts in SD Although everyone was welcome to apply for the Ignite academy, the weekend will focus on women in firefighting. 'Just an idea of another fire department that's done something similar. And I said, let's do it, let's try it. So that kind of got the ball rolling. And then I talked to Rachel, and the other women of Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, and we decided it was something cool that we could try,' said Blakeslee, fire and life safety educator for SFFR. This is the first year of Ignite Academy, but both women are confident it won't be the last. 'I think our ultimate goal is to hopefully get more applicants. If they're not 21, when they are 21, or hopefully we get more applicants for for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue,' said Blakeslee. 'But, all in all, just create leaders and teamwork and make sure that everybody has a good time and we all work together and show them that it's not just about fighting fire. It's about a lot of different things. And sometimes we get to fight fires, too, which is really fun.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
