Bolzer named fire chief

Posted

Updated at 5:25 p.m. June 14.

BROOKINGS – Pete Bolzer has been promoted to fire chief for the Brookings Fire Department, the City of Brookings announced Monday.

“The City of Brookings received many qualified applications from across the nation for the fire chief position. I am proud to announce Pete Bolzer as the next Brookings fire chief,” City Manager Paul Briseno said. “Pete has the education, training, regionally recognized experience, and support from the community to progress our fire department. The organizational vision, mission and values are apparent in Mr. Bolzer.”

More than 35 qualified candidates from across the nation applied for the position, Briseno said in an email to the Register.

“Approximately eight were interviewed in the first round, and after the second round Pete Bolzer was selected as the next fire chief,” the city manager added.

Bolzer, who has been serving as interim fire chief for the past two months, joined the Brookings Fire Department as deputy chief in 1999 and has shown leadership qualities in every aspect of the Brookings Fire operation and the community as a whole, according to a City of Brookings press release.

“He has been instrumental in continuing the legacy of the Brookings Fire Department’s amazing volunteer force by creating training programs and working tirelessly to improve public safety that is admired by not only the Brookings firefighters but also around the state. He has received accolades on a national level as well. Mr. Bolzer previously worked with the State of South Dakota as deputy state fire marshal,” the press release says.

Bolzer succeeds Darrell Hartmann, who retired in April.

Bolzer has completed coursework in fire science and criminal justice. He is a member of the South Dakota Fire Chiefs Association, South Dakota Society of Fire Service Instructors, International Association of Fire Chiefs, chairman of the Brookings County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and is part of many more organizations.

It will be Bolzer’s job to fill the deputy chief position he has vacated, Briseno explained.

Reviewing and changing the job description, doing a public opening and advertising in career-related publications, and selecting an applicant will likely take a month or longer, Briseno said.