Brad Goodroad found a love for fighting fires while working construction.
He developed an interest after talking to another construction worker’s father, who was a full-time firefighter. Growing up in a small South Dakota town with a volunteer fire department, Goodroad hadn’t ever considered firefighting as a full-time job.
Now, sitting in his new office lined with years of fire helmets and department history, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Chief Goodroad has big plans for his team, including a more aggressive approach to recruiting a diverse crew, creating a more collaborative work environment and rebranding the department as its former chief faces major criminal charges in a high-profile case.