Meet the staff
Kearney fire & rescue personnel
“That Others May Live”
It’s our department motto and our commitment to the community. This is the team that has dedicated their lives to helping others when emergencies strike.
Below, you’ll find the current list of Kearney Fire and Rescue personnel who serve the protection district.
When Duty Calls, They Answer
Full-time Kearney Fire Department and Rescue personnel are divided into three shifts (A, B, and C Shift). The shifts work on what is commonly known as a 24/48 schedule, which means that each shift works 24 hours and then is off 48 hours. The shifts start at 7:00 a.m.
Command staff
Jeff Fort
Asst. Chief / Fire Marshal
Serving Since: 1993
Sean Gudde
Asst. Chief (A-Shift)
Serving Since: 1983
Nate Bultmann
Asst. Chief (B-Shift)
Serving Since: 1988
David Pratt
Asst. Chief (C-Shift)
Serving Since: 1993
Don Washam
Assistant Chief Volunteer
Serving Since: 1979
A-Shift
Bobby Higgins
Captain
Serving Since: 2007
Marqus Smith
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2007
Brett Booth
Firefighter/EMT-P
Serving Since: 2008
Allen Todd
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2010
Mike Luedtke
Firefighter/EMT-P
Serving Since: 2022
Bryan Whitaker
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2023
Nicole Sexton
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2023
B-Shift
Rod Barnhart
Captain
Serving Since: 1998
Andy Martens
Firefighter/EMT-P
Serving Since: 2002
Kyle Arnold
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2008
Hunter Rische
Firefighter/AEMT
Serving Since: 2012
Dustin Eichler
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2016
Andrew Sperry
Firefighter/EMT-P
Serving Since: 2019
Kolby Mlika
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since 2022
c-Shift
Randy Jensen
Captain
Serving Since: 1998
Matt Listhartke
Firefighter/EMT-P
Serving Since: 2016
Dylan Misel
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2021
Mitch Bolin
Firefighter/EMT-P
Serving Since: 2021
Chris Whitlow
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2022
Taylor Gieselman
Firefighter/AEMT
Serving Since: 2019
Andrew Thurman
Paramedic
Serving Since: 2024
VOLUNTEERS
Scott Nelson
Volunteer Firefighter
Serving Since 2024
Matthew Rickel
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since 2024
Noah Young
Volunteer Firefighter
Serving Since 2024
Andrew Turnbough
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2025
Hunter Wheeler
Firefighter
Serving Since: 2025
Ethan McMullen
Firefighter/EMT
Serving Since: 2025
Join KFRPD
Being a firefighter, EMT, or rescue specialist is not so much a career as it is a calling. Come join a progressive, innovative combination emergency services department—and spend your days saving lives. Download our application today.