Watertown Hosts 2026 South Dakota State Fire School for 550+ Firefighters
- Steve Jurrens
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - This past week, Watertown became the region’s central hub for emergency response training, proudly hosting the 2026 South Dakota State Fire School. From June 11 to June 13, more than 550 firefighters from across South Dakota and neighboring states gathered at Lake Area Technical College to participate in three intensive days of education, networking, and professional development.
Organized by the South Dakota Firefighters Association (SDFA) alongside Watertown Fire Rescue, the event provided first responders with critical updates on evolving techniques, modern technology, and best practices in the fire service.
Local Spotlight: “The Fireground Blueprint”
As a special precursor to the weekend’s main events, Watertown Fire Rescue hosted renowned instructor Christopher Naum. Arriving a few days early, Naum delivered his highly anticipated course, “The Fireground Blueprint.”
Watertown crews had the unique opportunity to participate in a walking tour of downtown Watertown with Naum. This practical, boots-on-the-ground Session allowed firefighters to gain a much deeper understanding of local building construction and specific fireground considerations directly applicable to their own community.
A Mission of Safety and Readiness
The State Fire School serves as a vital component of the SDFA’s core mission. Opportunities like this allow firefighters to share ideas, build critical relationships, and bring life-saving knowledge back to the departments and citizens they serve.
The annual training curriculum is designed to support the association’s statutory goals, which include:
· Promoting the science and modern methods of fire protection
· Enhancing life safety and emergency preparedness
· Increasing public awareness and knowledge regarding fire safety
· Preventing life and property loss through advanced suppression and prevention tactics
Community and Sponsor Support
The massive logistical effort of hosting over 500 emergency personnel was made possible through strong community partnerships. Registration, vendor exhibitions, and meals were centralized in Lake Area Technical College’s Student Services Center.
Dozens of local hotels—including Quality Inn & Suites, My Place Hotel, and Country Inn & Suites—coordinated with the Watertown Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Watertown) to accommodate the influx of visitors.
The event’s success was also heavily supported by generous sponsors and community partners.
Sponsorship Tier | Partners & Sponsors |
Booklet Sponsors | Dinges Fire Company, MacQueen, SDML Workers Compensation Fund |
Beverage & Snack | Provident Insurance |
SDFA Partners | NVFC, SD Fire Fighters Auxiliary, SD State Fire Marshal |
Community Partners | Firehouse Subs, LATC, Performance Towing & Recovery, Sioux Valley COOP, Watertown Chamber of Commerce, Watertown CVB, Watertown Fire Rescue |
Watertown Fire Rescue extended its deepest gratitude to the South Dakota Firefighters Association, Lake Area Technical College, the dedicated instructors, organizers, local businesses, and everyone who helped make the 2026 State Fire School a resounding success. Photography by Zach Ninke
