Piper steps in as new fire department manager
The Lovell Volunteer Fire Department has hired Jesse Piper as the new station manager, replacing the retired Bob Mangus.
Piper graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, with a degree in criminal justice. It was there that he met his wife, Betsy Bischoff, while the two were there running track.
After college, Piper got a job in probation and parole with the state before joining the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Department, where he worked for nearly six years.
He then changed jobs and went to the Lovell Police Department, where he worked as an investigator.
Before making the change to the fire department, he worked for WyDOT, and that is where a lot of his maintenance experience came into play.
“I was looking for something different,” Piper said. “When this opportunity came up, I thought I would give it a shot and wound up getting the job. I am really excited about it.”
Piper grew up working summer jobs in the oil fields during high school and got his CDL to learn how to drive trucks and weld at a young age.
“There is a lot to learn, and I don’t feel like I had nearly enough time with Bob and Keela to learn it all,” he said. “I am still trying to figure things out, but we will get there.”
He has also put in his application to join the department as a volunteer fireman, which will allow him to better understand how the trucks run and operate, and he feels like his positive relationships with the current firemen will be an additional benefit.
“Bob left some big shoes to fill,” he said. “I will do my best. I like all the guys on the department and get along with them well. We have a good crew.”
Fire chief Mike Jameson said, “We are excited to have Jesse (Piper) as the station manager and look forward to having him on the department.”