Great Falls Fire Rescue Celebrates Promotions, Retirements, and New Members

Great Falls, Mont. – Great Falls Fire Rescue members gathered with friends, family, colleagues, and City Dignitaries on December 29^th, to honor the retirement of four long-time firefighters, celebrate the promotions of six officers within the ranks, and recognize six new members who completed their probationary period and all training requirements to be officially sworn in as Great Falls Firefighters.

Battalion Chief Jeff Jackson 31.5 years, Dan Cherry 27.5 years, Nolan Eggen 21 years and Ben Zietzke 20 years all said their farewells and were honored for a job well done by all in attendance. A senior Battalion chief, a senior Captain, a seasoned Training Chief, and a Senior Engineer were the make-up of the experience that retired. This amount of experience and diversity will surely be missed, but always respected.

Battalion Chief Jeff Jackson was a key educator in the EMS realm and worked as a Firefighter instructor for the Montana State Fire School for many years. Dan Cherry was a long-time member of the State Hazmat Team and authored many grants that benefited his peers. Nolan Eggen was a long-time fire service instructor who will become the head of the Helena College Fire Science curriculum. Ben Zietzke was a gifted engineer who mentored many new and up-and-coming engineers and helped speck multiple fire trucks for service to the Great Falls Community. All four members were known statewide for their fire service contributions.

The fire service community and their brothers and sisters at GFFR wish them all the best in their retirements and all their future endeavors!

Jason Furr was promoted to the role of Deputy Chief of Training. He is a long-time paramedic and fitness trainer for the department as well as other numerous roles and has been with the department for 18.5 years. His wife Erin and children Teague and Rylan pinned on his new badge and collar brass.

Colton Walter was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief. He is a paramedic, serves as the team leader of the Great Falls Regional Hazmat Team, is the president of the State Hazmat Team Advisory Group, and has served the Great Falls Community for the past 16.5 years. Walter had the privilege of having his children Millie and Tanner pin on his new Badge and collar brass.

Chris Newman was promoted to the rank of Captain. He is a paramedic, serves on the Great Falls and State of Montana Hazmat Team, and has been with the department for 16 ½ years. He is a long-time hazmat response instructor to firefighters throughout the state. His wife Jen helped him mark this career milestone by pinning on his new badge and collar brass. He has 2 children Garrett and Jake.

Maren Reilly inked her name in the history books when she became the first female Captain in the long history of Great Falls Fire Firefighters. Great Falls Firefighters were officially recognized dating back to 1886. She has steadily worked her way up the ranks, serving the community for almost 13 years, and has numerous additional duties that benefit the community. Maren’s husband Eric and children Quinn, Elliot, and Dayton helped her mark this special occasion by pinning on her new badge and collar brass.

Joseph “Adam” Jordan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He is a paramedic, serves on the Technical Rescue Team, is an instructor within the department, serves on numerous committees, and has been with the department for 8 years. He celebrated his career milestone with his wife Brooke and children Sage and Cooper as they pinned on his new badge and collar brass welcoming him into the officer ranks at GFFR.

Six new members were also recognized for completing their probationary period and all training requirements to be officially sworn in as Great Falls Firefighters. Mayor Bob Kelly administered their Oath of Office to officially recognize their accomplishment. Tyrell Foran, Tyler Bartelt, Quinton Spring, Kolter Lund, Rocky Vance, and Graydon Irish all received their new badges and were introduced as Great Falls’ newest firefighters. Fire Chief Jeremy Jones conducted the Oath of Office for his newest officers who will help lead his department on the front lines of emergency service. They all had their new badges pinned on by family and friends to commemorate their career accomplishments.