Madetzke and Johnson join Jasper Volunteer Fire Department


Pipestone Area Schools graduates Chris Johnson has recently joined the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department in Jasper. Contributed photos

Pipestone Area Schools graduate Andy Madetzke, pictured with his fiancé Ashley Bloemendaal, has recently joined the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department in Jasper. Contributed photos

Along with Matt Haraldson, who was featured in the Dec. 10 issue of the County Star, Chief Jeff Leslie and his brigade of veteran firefighters on the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department in Jasper recently welcomed ‘young guns’ Andy Madetzke and Chris Johnson to the force.
While neither rookie has had any previous training in fighting fires, both certainly have an abundance of skills that should make them great assets to an aging team Leslie hopes to energize over the next few years.
Madetzke, a 2007 Pipestone Area Schools graduate who enjoys farming (corn, soybeans, 30 head of cattle) with dad Roger Madetzke (retired) and mom Pat Weets two miles north of Jasper, is quite familiar with the business of battling blazes. Roger was a firefighter with the South Dakota Air National Guard in Sioux Falls, while soon-to-be father-in-law and brother-in-law, Mike Bloemendaal and Brian Terry, respectively, are members of the Pipestone Volunteer Fire Department in Pipestone.
“I thought being engaged to Ashley (Bloemendaal) and being in the family, I’d better join; I don’t want to be ‘that guy,’” jokes the 32-year-old Madetzke. “Jasper is a community I’ve always been around. I’m living there now, I work close by at Rieck Plumbing & Heating in Edgerton and I go to church there. Of course, I want to help my community; being part of the fire department is a great way to do that. When I moved there I asked Jeff about it and he was quick to say, ‘Yup, that sounds good.’ I know it’s hard for him to find people. I’m excited about it and think going through the training with Chris and Matt will make it easier for all of us… we know each other pretty well. We might not be able to go into a fire yet, because our training is on hold, but we can do plenty of things for the department.”
On top of his familial connection with firefighting, Madetzke’s know-how in joining fixtures and with water pressure is sure to prove more than handy. Johnson, on the other hand, brings a different yet equally valuable kind of expertise to the force.
The 24-year-old PAS graduate (2014) and two-year Agricultural Business degree (Ridgewater) holder is not only mechanically inclined, but also is licensed to drive bigger vehicles.
“I have a Class A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License), drive truck a lot for Mike Baustian, and know how to work on them,” said the son of Lindsay and Tammy Johnson. “I think I’ll be able to utilize that training in working with the fire department… a big asset. I just want to help and I’ll do whatever I can… whatever they tell me.”
Johnson became aware of the need for the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department to add a few new members in working with Baustian’s farming operation. Co-worker Tim Steen mentioned the department was looking for people and Johnson stepped up.
“He’s been with the department for 20-30 years and talked to me about it one day,” said the avid outdoorsman. “Like the other guys (Madetzke and Haraldson), I just wanted to do something to help the community. I’m close during the day, see Jeff every day, and I can answer a call pretty quick.”
Unfortunately for Chief Leslie and his newest trio, they’ll not get the opportunity to get any serious training in until Stay Safe Minnesota restrictions have eased – allowing for larger gatherings of people. When they are and the JVFD can start getting its rookies into classes, Johnson knows he and his friends will get up to speed in a hurry.
“Matt and I are good buddies and I know Andy well… all get along,” he said. “I think that’ll make it pretty smooth sailing, having buddies who have the same passion. We know we have to be patient with the whole COVID thing, and we’ll do that; before that, we’ll help out however we can to help the community.”