Thanks to Stone Mortgage Team at Fairway Home Mortgage for their support. With 20+ years’ experience, Jason and Kim simplify the home-loan process and guide you every step of the way.
Earlier this year the South Metro Fire Department (SMFD) board of directors named Mike Nelson as the new fire chief. He’ll start May 30 and will replace current Fire Chief Mark Juelfs, who is retiring after 32 years as a firefighter.
“We were fortunate enough to have three internal candidates, all of which we’ve known through SMFD board meetings and community events,” said Wendy Berry, a West St. Paul City Council member and member of the South Metro Fire board. “It was a good problem to have.”
New Fire Chief: Mike Nelson
Nelson previously worked at South Metro Fire for years, but left to be fire chief at the Shakopee Fire Department.
What stood out about Nelson? “His firefighting experience in a few different cities, his internal leadership experience at SMFD, and the time he spent as a fire chief in Shakopee before returning back to SMFD,” Berry said.
What are the important priorities for Nelson as he takes over as chief? “He has already reached out to each member of the board as an individual to chat through ideas, goals, and objectives for the organization and for him as he steps into the chief role in May,” said Berry. Two main priorities include mental health support for firefighters and long-term financial strategy for the department.
Retiring Fire Chief: Mark Juelfs
Juelfs began his career in 1994 with the East County Line/Maplewood Fire Department before joining the South St. Paul Fire Department four years later. The South St. Paul Fire Department merged with West St. Paul in 2008 to create South Metro Fire. Juelfs was appointed chief in 2019. Among his other leadership credentials, Juelfs oversaw the creation of the ground-breaking PAR 360 program to address mental health among firefighters and first responders.
Town Square Television shared this story on Juelfs’ career and retirement:
Want to know what’s happening in your neighborhood? Support local news.
