Retired Colton fire chief receives national award in 60th year of service

Koopman receives Lifetime Achievement Award from NVFC LeRoy Koopman has exemplified the definition of a career volunteer firefighter. Like so many firefighters, he is a multi-generation family fire service volunteer. Grandparent, parent, himself and his family, sons, and grandsons have been or currently are in the fire service as volunteers and career members. LeRoy has always tried to maintain a big picture mentality. A successful fire service group needs dedicated, but well-trained individuals. He not only wants his own department to be safe and successful, but every firefighter and department to be safe and successful. That is why he and his family have and continue to provide training across the state to all levels of firefighters. In his service career, he has been looked to for knowledge and opinion by chiefs, mayors, local legislators, Governors, and congressional members. LeRoy is a firm believer in learning from the past, adapting with the present, and preparing for the future. He passes along history in order to explain the reason for the present, and a need to plan for the future. Succession planning leads to continued success. His fire service and other volunteer accomplishments have always been for the intent of making someone or something better. As appreciative as he is for receiving accolades and awards, he prefers to acknowledge all those who see the value and importance in make a project a broader success. LeRoy Koopman was nominated by the people all across our state that know his service, what he has done for local departments, and what he has done for the firefighters of the State of South Dakota. LeRoy started as a volunteer firefighter for the Colton Volunteer Fire Department in 1963. His years of service have included multiple positions, and served as Colton Fire Chief for over 40 years. LeRoy expanded his volunteer experience serving as a member of the Southeast District Firefighters Association, and founding board member of the Minnehaha County Fire Chiefs Association. He retired from Colton VFD as an active member in 2019 and was featured in an ARGUS LEADER Feb 2019 news article outlining his years as a fire service leader. In 1985, LeRoy was elected to the South Dakota Firefighters Association Board of Directors. He served the SDFA as Vice-President, President, and Past President for next 30 years. It was during his tenure as SDFA President, he encouraged the SDFA Board to maintain a contingency training fund for State Fire School. A few years later, after a year full of budget cuts by the Governor and legislature, that foresight paid off. The SDFA was still able to host the annual training event with the reserved funding. From 2002 through 2020, he served as the South Dakota Director to the National Volunteer Fire Council. He served on various NVFC committees in his tenure. As a strong advocate for volunteerism, LeRoy knew the importance of mentorship and succession. His knowledge and leadership have been demonstrated as he passed his encouragement on to generations of fire service leaders in the State. LeRoy is a small town business owner of Koopman & Sons Gas Company. For decades, LeRoy and his sons, Michael and Monte, have travelled across the state providing propane and gas emergency training to volunteer fire departments. It is estimated that a majority of the departments in South Dakota have had members attend live-fire or tactical training of propane and gas emergency response by the Koopmans. In 2010, LeRoy received the South Dakota Firefighters Association Lifetime Membership Award for his dedication and service to the fire service in South Dakota, and representation of the state at National levels. LeRoy Koopman is the epitome of a small-town volunteer. The achievements of the community organizations he serves, are equally award worthy, due to the small community size, finances, resources, and dedication necessary to accomplish success in rural America.