Monday, October 28, is National First Responders Day, a day of gratitude dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women who are the initial line of defense in emergencies. First responders include firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, 911 operators, and others who provide immediate assistance during crises such as natural disasters, fires, accidents, and medical emergencies.
Ready to Serve: Dickinson State Trains the Next Generation of Firefighters
In line with its mission to contribute to its community, Dickinson State University (DSU) added Fire Science to its degree programs in the fall of 2023. The two-year program consists of 62 semester hours of academic coursework and hands-on training. Courses include Hazardous Materials Operations, Fire Behavior and Combustion, Building Construction for Fire Protection, and Vehicle Extrication.
DSU’s Acting President, Ty Orton, said, “Our Fire Science degree, as well as our robust Criminal Justice program, support Dickinson State University’s mission. We are proud to offer these programs to contribute to the public safety and well-being of our community.”
Partnership with Dickinson Fire Department (DFD)
DSU’s partnership with the Dickinson Fire Department (DFD) assists both student experience and department recruitment. Fire Chief Jeremy Presnell and Training Officer Jared Rhode of the DFD emphasized how important the DSU program has become to their team.
“Our partnership with Dickinson State has been instrumental in ensuring a steady stream of qualified recruits,” said Presnell. “While many fire departments struggle with recruitment, we are fortunate to have 20-30 applicants for each open position, thanks largely to this program.”
The students in the program represent a diverse array of backgrounds, including many DSU athletes – wrestlers, basketball players, football players, and cross-country runners – who bring their discipline and resilience to the fire service. “There’s a natural overlap between athletics and firefighting,” Presnell noted. “Both require mental toughness, teamwork, and a strong work ethic.”
Mental Health and Team Culture
Beyond physical skills, the DFD prioritizes mental health and well-being. “We offer peer support training because mental health is one of the biggest challenges for first responders,” Presnell explained. “Firefighting is physically demanding, but the emotional toll can be just as significant. That’s why we push each other to be better mentally, emotionally, and physically.”
The DFD’s commitment to team culture is one of its defining features. “We are the most forward-thinking fire department in North Dakota. Our team is continually coming up with new ideas,” Presnell said. “Honestly, part of my job is managing their enthusiasm and, when necessary, reigning them in.”
The department’s strong sense of camaraderie extends to its traditions, including the popular firefighter mustaches. “Before oxygen masks, firefighters would grow long mustaches and dampen them to filter out smoke,” said Presnell. “Today, although many of our team wear moustaches as part of a tradition, they are purely aesthetic.”
The Dickinson Fire Department is popular on social media. With 35,000 followers, they are one of the most followed Facebook accounts in North Dakota.
Leadership Journeys: Chief Presnell and Training Officer Rhode
Presnell has been a firefighter for 23 years, five years as chief. His path to firefighting wasn’t a direct one. “I had never considered becoming a firefighter,” he said. “I joined the Air Force and learned that firefighters received a $20,000 sign-on bonus. By the second week of my 6-year enlistment, I fell in love with the career. The camaraderie, the competition. It was like being part of a high school sports team again.”
Presnell’s wife, a civil engineer, was working on a project on Villard Street in Dickinson and sent him a link to an opening in the DFD. He filled out the application not knowing that she had meant it as a joke. He got the job and moved to Dickinson from Idaho. He said, “One of the reasons that I came here was for the opportunity to possibly start a partnership like this with the local university. I felt Dickinson was a place that I could grow.”
Presnell’s leadership style was influenced by his father, who managed up to 120 employees on a large farm in Idaho. “As a kid, I was aware that my dad put his people first. For example, he always let his crew off for holidays. He focused on success. He taught me that resilience was paramount and that it is important to be able to rebound from mistakes.”
To this day, resilience is something Presnell looks for when hiring for the DFD. He elaborated, “I consider, what is their personality? How will they rebound from mistakes and get better, not only as individuals, but as a team? We used to look for experience only, but today we focus more on whether an applicant is going to fit into our culture. Culture is everything here. I believe it is what makes us so successful.”
Officer Rhode grew up around the fire service. “I remember riding along with my dad to calls as a kid,” said Rhode. A third-generation firefighter, he recalls when his grandfather, a charter member of his hometown fire department, received the “last call” at his funeral and thinking that he, too, needed to serve. The last call is when a dispatcher calls the deceased firefighter's name over the radio.
While working in the oil field, Rhode joined the DFD on a part-time basis and soon transitioned to a full-time position. Now, as the department’s training officer, he has the opportunity to shape new firefighters. In 2023, he was named the North Dakota Fire Service Instructor of the Year.
Giving Back and Shaping the Next Generation
The Dickinson Fire Department is passionate about giving back, especially to smaller fire departments across the state. “We’re fortunate to have the support we do, and we want to share that with other departments that may not have the same resources,” Presnell said.
When asked what they look for in recruits, the answer from both leaders was clear: dedication to the department, coachability, and a positive attitude.
DSU’s Fire Science program is a evidence of the university’s commitment to community safety and service. Under the leadership of Chief Presnell and Officer Rhode, the partnership is ensuring that the next generation of first responders will be ready to answer the call.
For more information on DSU’s programs, visit: www.dickinsonstate.edu.
For direct access to the Fire Science program page, visit: https://dickinsonstate.smartcatalogiq.com/2024-2026/catalog/associate-programs/associate-in-applied-science-degree-fire-science/.
Contact information for DSU Admissions: (701) 502-4390 Dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu