Matt Haraldson, Operator of Jasper Seed & Chemical, is one of three young men to have recently joined the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department. K. Kyle
Jasper Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jeff Leslie’s call to fill four positions has been answered by three men he hopes will give a boost to the squad and the community.
Matt Haraldson, Andy Madetzke and Chris Johnson have already attended one meeting and as soon as the department is given the nod to resume gathering, they’ll continue with their arduous training.
“It nice they want to help,” said Leslie. “One of them had come up and asked me about joining and having volunteers step up and want to help the community is really nice to see. We’d still like to have one more.”
In operation for more than three decades now, like any other volunteer department, Jasper has seen its staff age in and out – passing down valuable experience for the next eager corps.
“Usually (our numbers) have been good, but there’s a few of them that are older and want to retire,” Leslie said. “If they wanted to, I think half our force could retire. They’ve had some issues and all that and don’t feel like they’re doing enough for the department. So, the timing is good for these three younger guys to come in.”
And the 27-year-old Haraldson, the younger of Dean and Patti Haraldson’s two sons, is no stranger to working on a team. The 2012 Pipestone Area High School graduate, three-sport athlete, MSHSL state wrestling tournament qualifier and all-purpose player with the Pipestone A’s, currently operates Jasper Seed and Chemical, gaining the necessary knowledge to join that team through earning his degree in Agricultural Systems Technology (agronomy minor) from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. in 2016.
“I know Chris and Andy well and it should make the process easier for all of us, going through training together, rather than going through it alone,” Haraldson said. “It’ll be nice to pick up some stuff from them and give ideas on stuff too.
“I know what teamwork is all about and the fire department has a great group of guys; I feel like I’ll fit in there, build strong relationships and also help the community.”
A community Haraldson is quite familiar with, having grown up in Jasper with his parents and older brother Nate and helping run the family farm (corn, soybeans and custom-raised hogs) – located four miles east of town. While Haraldson currently lives in Pipestone, he works near the department’s Hall and plans on building a house in Jasper in the near future.
“Me being close to the Fire Hall during the day, should help, because there are guys on the fire department who don’t work in town every day and can’t get there very fast,” he said. “If something happens during the day, I could be there pretty fast since I’m only a block away most of the day.”
And it’s this kind of attitude and eagerness Chief Leslie hopes will energize his force, despite having to halt training due to current COVID-19 restrictions.
“I’d like to see a young staff with ambition,” Leslie said. “I hope we can get some training in soon; we have to make sure our equipment starts and runs properly. You can’t do that if you don’t do a little training. These guys are now on the force, but they can’t go into a fire until they’ve had that training. They can haul hoses and help us man those hoses; those are important roles to fill.”
Playing with the Arrows on the gridiron, the wrestling mat and on the diamond, Haraldson is well aware of how discipline pays off in sports. And he’s optimistic about getting started on the job as soon as possible.
“I think everything will work out in the end; with everything and COVID, we just have to be patient,” he said. “Hopefully, we can get our training done, get past COVID soon and get into the swing of serving the community.”
The County Star is hopeful of gaining interviews with the department’s other rookies, Andy Madetzke and Chris Johnson, for the Dec. 17 edition.