Mission Volunteer Fire & Rescue

The Rosebud Sioux Reservation is currently under a burn ban. We kindly request that all individuals refrain from engaging in any burning or fire-related activities due to the existing Red Flag Warning. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

A Red Flag Warning will be in effect through 9 PM MDT or 10 PM CDT this evening.

On April 7th, 2026, several members of Mission Volunteer Fire & Rescue took the second and last step toward becoming South Dakota Certified Firefighters.

Deputy Chief Smith, Lieutenants Cordier and Elk Looks Back, and Recruits Leading Fighter, Lucas, Moore, and Smith successfully passed the practical skills test for the South Dakota Certified Firefighter class, which began in Mission in October 2025 and concluded this past February. The class, held weekly, covered the basic fundamentals of structural firefighting, victim search and rescue, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials response, first aid, and more.

Tonight’s test, proctored by Deputy State Fire Marshal Mike Jones, involved performing basic firefighter tasks such as donning PPE and SCBA, establishing a water supply, raising ground ladders, and hoisting tools.

The group previously passed the written test for the class. Pending a few administrative items, the group should formally receive their certifications within the next several weeks.

On Friday, March 6th, 2026, several members of Mission Volunteer Fire & Rescue traveled to Martin to participate in the memorial service for Jeff Siscoe, longtime volunteer firefighter, county emergency manager, minister, and community advocate. Jeff passed away on February 23rd, 2026, after a seven-year battle with cancer.

Jeff began his 40+ year career in the fire service in his home state of Indiana in the mid-1980's before relocating to South Dakota in the mid-1990's for ministerial service. In 1997, Jeff and his family set down roots in Martin, with Jeff joining the Martin Volunteer Fire Department that same year.

Jeff crossed paths with Mission Volunteer Fire & Rescue in one of his many roles as a state fire service instructor, willingly traveling to Mission on many occasions through the years to teach firefighters techniques for rope rescue. When asked what the department owed him for his time and travel, he said, "No charge. The payoff comes with the work these folks do when there's a fire call."

Known for his quick wit and easygoing teaching style, Jeff made learning fun and engaging. One of his favorite expressions was "give it the good news" when describing the point at which firefighters begin extinguishing a fire with water.

As a testament to his dedication to service, Jeff held a rope rescue training class just months prior to his passing for a group of new Mission firefighters. Reflective of his constant desire to ensure his students got the most out of class, Jeff remarked afterward, "My health isn't what it used to be these days, but I hope they still learned a thing or two."

They did.

Read more about Jeff and his life of service below:
https://www.chamberlainchapel.com/obituaries/jeff-siscoe

MISSION FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO VEHICLE CRASH AND GRASS FIRE

At approximately 11:49 AM on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, Mission Volunteer Fire & Rescue was dispatched for a report of a Signal 1 involving a vehicle that left the roadway and struck a power pole five miles east of Mission on US Highway 18. Initial reports indicated a fire with a patient possibly still inside the vehicle.

On arrival, crews found a dynamic scene that included a vehicle on fire in a pasture, a grass fire extending from the vehicle fire, a downed power pole and electrical lines, and a patient being aided by law enforcement.

Preliminary information indicates that the patient was rescued from the burning vehicle by a bystander prior to the arrival of first responders.

Firefighters were able to extinguish both the vehicle fire and the grass fire.

Agencies that responded to this incident include Mission Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Ambulance Service, Todd County Sheriff’s Office, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, Cherry-Todd Electric, and local ranchers.