Jamie Soukup has been a volunteer firefighter for the Wagner Fire Department for the past five years. Jamie joined the department as he enjoyed serving his hometown community and helping its residents. He was approached by some good friends of his who were already a part of the fire department making it an easy decision for Jamie to join. Jamie is the first member of his immediate family to be a volunteer firefighter.

As a firefighter, Jamie feels that there are some important qualities that a firefighter should possess. These qualities include caring for the people they are helping, the ability to handle stressful situations and being able to be a team player. In Jamie’s opinion the most important duties of firefighters are to be able to get to the scene safely, take care of the situation no matter what they face and return home safely to their families.

Jamie has not yet served in any of the officer positions of the department but looks forward to the day that he is elected to an officer position. He is an active member of the Wagner Fire Department and participates in any and every department activity. Jamie is a fully certified firefighter through the state of South Dakota. Even though it was a couple of very long courses which included both a written test and live testing situation, “the skills learned are priceless to a firefighter and for everyday life,” said Jamie.

Being a firefighter has influenced Jamie’s perspective on life and family. After seeing and helping people during troubled times or danger, it has really made Jamie appreciate his family when he gets home to them after returning from a call. When Jamie first joined, he learned that there were many things that he did not realize that the local volunteer firefighters did, until he experienced it first-hand. Firefighters do not just fight fires, especially rural small town volunteer departments. They are looked to to control the scene of an accident, assist paramedics with lifting people into the ambulance, perform first responder medical services such as CPR and AEDs, all in addition to their firefighting duties.

In addition to being a Wagner firefighter, Jamie is an active member of Wagner’s Rotary Club, active St. John’s Catholic Church member, teaches CCD, active Knights of Columbus member (has served as Grand Knight), has served on the Wagner City Council and volunteer youth football and basketball coach.

Jamie is married for 15 years to his beautiful wife, Charlene. They have three children Clarah (12), Windsor (11) and Willow (8). Jamie is a graduate of Wagner Community School and University of South Dakota alumni. He owns and operates Wagner’s Pioneer Seed Agency. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching his children’s sports, coaching his children in sports, going to weekend mass with his family and hunting.

Thank you, Jamie, for your service and dedication to the Wagner community.