E5. Firefighter Confirmations— all pow
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KALISPELL FIRE DEPARTMENT
Dan Pearce — Fire Chief PO Box 1997
Jessica Kinzer Assistant Chief /�� 312 First Avenue East
Cec Lee — Fire Secretary Kalispell, Montana 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7760
FAX: (406) 758-7777
REPORT TO: Doug Russell, City Manager
FROM: Daniel Pearce, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Firefighter/Paramedic Confirmations for the following Firefighter/
Paramedics - Cody Butler, Jacob Brinlee, Zachary Lanz and John
Mellencamp
MEETING DATE: February 6, 2023
BACKGROUND: Cody Butler, Jacob Brinlee, Zachary Lanz and John Mellencamp are being
presented for confirmation as Firefighter/Paramedics for the Kalispell Fire Department. All four
have successfully completed their one-year probationary period and all appointment requirements as
of January 18, 2023.
BACKGROUNDS:
Cody Butler- Cody and his family came to us from the sunny and warm area of Buckeye, Arizona.
They had visited the Flathead a few years prior and said to themselves, "This is the place to raise our
family." Cody wanted everyone to know how extremely grateful he is to have this opportunity -
being part of the Kalispell Fire Department. Cody has a large family who love the outdoors and all
that the Flathead has to offer. In his free time Cody can be found giving Tori a break and
"wrangling" his 5 young children. Cody and his wife Tori have been involved with Kalispell Fire
and are a great addition to the KFD family.
Jacob Brinlee- Jacob and his wife Grace came to us from outside of Salem, Oregon. Jacob grew up
doing everything outdoors and was raised in a small rural town. He started right out of high school
as a volunteer Firefighter and attended paramedic school. He has been a paramedic for 11 years and
a professional firefighter for the last 5 years. Jacob and Grace seized the opportunity to relocate to
the Flathead for its values and lifestyle qualities, a place to raise their children away from the
constant changes of the Portland/Salem area that were occurring. Jacob and Grace are another great
addition to our KFD family.
Zachary Lanz- Zach grew up in South Central Wisconsin- the land of cheese. He grew up hunting,
fishing, and hiking and this had a great influence on his desire to re -locate to Montana. Zach and his
father have been coming to hunt and fish in Montana for years prior to being hired. Zach joined the
Fire Service in 2019, became a Paramedic and worked at the family Heating and Air Conditioning
business in Wisconsin. Zach wanted all of us to know that he is so excited to work for the City of
Kalispell and explore everything the Flathead has to offer! Zach is also another great addition to our
organization.
"Protecting our conununity with the highest level ofprofessionalism"
John C. Mellencamp- John and his wife Cheryl came to us from the Columbia River Gorge area in
Oregon. John was raised in Southern Ohio and graduated from Indiana University with a business
degree that he says he has yet to use, nor did he use his family genetics in music. He joined the Air
Force in 2010 and has been bouncing from active -duty time to reserves for the last 12 years. John
was a Pararescue man for the 3041h out of Portland, Oregon and also a Firefighter/Paramedic for the
City of Vancouver WA before coming to Kalispell. John and Cheryl have 2 very young boys, Glen,
and Michael and all very much enjoy anything outdoors. John wanted everyone to know how
excited and grateful he is for this opportunity to be part of the KFD family and being able to raise his
family in a beautiful place like this.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that Council confirm Firefighter/Paramedics Cody
Butler, Jacob Brinlee, Zachary Lanz and John Mellencamp to the Kalispell Fire Department.
"Protecting our community with the highest level ofprofessionalism."