Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Matthew Ashmore, Daniel Greensweig, and Richard Loveland, and the reappointment of Alina Granholm to the Board of Firefighter Training and Education.

Ashmore, of Hibbing, is a firefighter and paramedic with the Hibbing Fire Department, and a fire and EMS instructor at Mesabi Range College in Virginia. He serves as president of the Hibbing Firefighters Local 173, and vice president of District 6 of the Minnesota Professional Firefighters Association (MPFF). Ashmore replaced Kathleen Mullen as a full-time firefighter member representing the MPFF for a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Granholm, of Esko, is an independent contractor with the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association editing its Minnesota Fire Chief magazine. She is a member of the Thomson Township-Esko Volunteer Fire Department, serving as a firefighter and first responder. She also serves on the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors. Granholm, who has been a member of the board since May 2006, is appointed as a representative of volunteer firefighters to a full four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Greensweig, of Circle Pines, is the director of operations and general counsel with the Minnesota Association of Townships. He is also a member of the Circle Pines City Council and serves on the board of the Centennial Fire District. Greensweig replaces Troy Gilchrist, who resigned, as a representative of townships to complete a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Loveland, of Moorhead, is a firefighter and EMT with the Moorhead Fire Department and a fire training instructor and coordinator at Moorhead State Community and Technical College. He serves as vice president of the northern district of the Minnesota Professional Firefighters Association (MPFF), and is an executive board member of the association. Loveland replaces Dennis Andrist, who resigned, as a full-time firefighter member representing the MPFF to complete a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2008.

The Board of Firefighter Training and Education reviews fire service training needs, establishes standards for educational programs and establishes qualifications for fire service training instructors. The Board consists of 15 members, including 14 appointed by the Governor.