NEDERLAND - There was a lot to celebrate on Friday, July 4, 2025, and right after the Nederland Fire Protection District (NFPD) drove their impressive vehicles through the streets for the parade, district firefighters, staff, and board members gathered at their main station to continue the celebration by promoting three of its Lieutenant Candidates.

“Today marks a special day for our fire department, our firefighters, and our community,” Chief Charlie Schmidtmann began in his opening speech to the crowd. “This day honors the chosen path of service, courage, and dedication our three newly promoted Lieutenants have accepted.

“Their training has helped prepare them for the challenges ahead, but it is their hearts that will guide them through the toughest moments.”  

Schmidtmann explained how these new Lieutenants not only learned the skills necessary for an officer but they had to work within a newly developed promotional process, which they did proudly. 

“These three firefighters never stopped trying,” Schmidtmann continued. “They worked through every step of this process, accepting the feedback and using it to make the next opportunity better.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the result of their hard work. It is my honor and privilege to be here today to be part of the promotional ceremony for Lieutenants Scott Papich, Bobby Swanson, and Mandi Papich.” 

Captain Glenn Wheelock gave a powerful speech about all the aspects of being an officer.

“You must develop the ability to sometimes make very difficult decisions quickly, you must develop problem solving skills and be able to do this in often very stressful situations; then you must demonstrate leadership skills that must be proven to not only your peers but your superiors, and that process never ends.

“Bobby, Scott, and Mandi have done all of these things,” Wheelock said. “All of the Lieutenants have exhibited a great passion for the fire service that will not only move them forward but as a result will move NFPD forward as well.” 

Fire Marshal Andrew Joslin spoke about each of the Lieutenants’ many accomplishments. 

“Mandi started on April 22, 2021, and quickly demonstrated her dedication to the department. She has received the Top Gun award for the last three consecutive years, and she holds her EMT, Structure Fire II, and Wildland Firefighter Type I certifications.

“Scott started on September 13, 2021, and has become a vital aspect of the department,” Joslin continued. “Scott was named Firefighter of the Year in 2023, received the Best Trained award in both 2022 and 2023, and holds his EMR, Structure Fire II, and Wildland Firefighter Type I certifications.

“Bobby started in April of 2016 and has been a staple of the department ever since. Bobby was named Firefighter of the Year in 2024, and holds his EMT, Structure Fire II, and Wildland Firefighter Type I certifications,” Joslin said. 

Captain Conor Moran had the honor of administering the oath, which, after the three new Lieutenants repeated it, led to Moran admitting that it is an honor to serve with Swanson and the Papiches. He then administered a group hug. 

The Lieutenants received their badges, with Scott Papich receiving his from Captain Moran, Swanson being joined by his family and pinned by his son, and Mandi Papich receiving hers from Chief Schmidtmann. All three then signed their official certificates and were handed their new Lieutenant’s helmets. 

After a rousing round of applause for the three Lieutenants and a few rounds of photographs, Chief Schmidtmann thanked the crowd and reminded them of what they had been waiting for.

“I’ll leave you with this joke,” Schmidtmann began. “What do you get when you play tug of war with a pig? Pulled pork.” 

And with that, the crowd made their way upstairs to the station’s kitchen, where District Administrator Sherry Snyder had prepped a major summer meal, complete with pulled pork, a variety of pasta salads, slices of watermelon, and fresh corn on the cob just ready to hit the grill.  

The Mountain-Ear congratulates these three individuals for their accomplishments, and thanks these volunteers, and all those at the Nederland Fire Protection District, for their dedication and service to the Town of Nederland.