Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Natasha Carlson, Dan Cline, Roger Ihrke, Troy Walsh, and Amanda Wood; and the reappointment of Marvin Calvin and James Fisher to the Board of Firefighter Training and Education.

Calvin, of New London, is the fire chief and fire marshal with the Willmar Fire Department, positions he has held since 2000. He has held positions as a municipal fire chief, firefighter and paramedic for over 30 years. He is a member of numerous professional associations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Academy Alumni, Minnesota Fire Chiefs Association, and Minnesota State Fire Department Association. Calvin, who has been a member of the Board of Firefighter Training and Education since 2003 and chair since 2005, is reappointed as a representative of fire chiefs to another four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Carlson, of Pequot Lakes, is the owner of Platinum Results Salon and Spa, and a volunteer firefighter with the Pequot Lakes Fire Department. She is a member of the Rapid Intervention Team, and has completed training programs in a variety of firefighter courses. Carlson has degrees from Aveda Institute in Minneapolis and Minnesota State Community and Technical College – Wadena. Carlson replaces Thomas Pressler on the board as a volunteer firefighter to complete a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Cline, of North Mankato, co-owns Printwear Graphics in New Ulm, a personalized apparel business. He is also a volunteer firefighter with the North Mankato Fire Department and president of the South Central Region #14 Fire Department Association. Cline has a degree from South Central Technical College in North Mankato. He replaces Alina Granholm on the board as a volunteer firefighter to complete a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Fisher, of Zim, has been a volunteer firefighter for over 26 years, a township officer for over 20 years, is the District 10 director with the Minnesota Association of Townships, and the vice president of the National Association of Townships. He is retired from his full-time position in management with a taconite company, and as a millwright instructor at Mesabi Community and Technical College. Fisher, who has been a member of the board since its inception in 2001, is reappointed as a representative of townships to another four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Ihrke, of Dover, owns Roger’s of Dover, MN Inc., a business that provides administrative services to local units of government. He has been the mayor of Dover for 12 years, a member of the Dover Fire Department for 31 years, and fire chief for 20 years. Ihrke is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, and is a Minnesota Fire Service Certified Fire Fighter II. He earned his bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and his associate of arts degree from Rochester Community College. Ihrke replaces Joanne Myrvik on the board as a representative of cities to complete a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Walsh, of Victoria, works in the city of Victoria Public Works Department in city safety, and as a training coordinator. He is also a captain and fire marshal with the Victoria Fire Department and serves as the Carver County Safety and Training Officers Group Coordinator and the United Firefighter Association Training Coordinator. Walsh is currently enrolled in the fire science program at Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie. He replaces John Wiskocil on the board as a volunteer firefighter to complete a four-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

Wood, of Grand Rapids, is a mental health case manager with the Northland Counseling Center in Grand Rapids, and a volunteer firefighter as well as a chemical assessment team member with the Grand Rapids Fire Department. Previously, she was an emergency medical technician with MEDS-1 Emergency Services in Grand Rapids. Wood earned her bachelor of arts degree from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. She replaces Wayne Durant on the board as a volunteer firefighter for a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

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.