L to R: Andrew Kirking, Emergency Manager and Riley Schafer, Assistant Emergency Manager

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Stutsman County Emergency Manager and 911 Coordinator Jerry Bergquist is retiring after having served in that role since 1988.

Stutsman County began the hiring process in September 2020 before ultimately hiring former Pembina County Emergency Manager Andrew Kirking.

Kirking says he’s been utilizing Bergquist’s experience to try and get up to speed before he officially retires.

Before working as Pembina Emergency Manager, Kirking received his degree in Emergency Management from North Dakota State University. He added Jerry has been vital in getting him and incoming Assistant Emergency Manager Riley Schafer prepared for the role.

Schafer finds himself in the Assistant Emergency Manager role after first serving in the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office.

A Jamestown-native, Schafer says it’s all very new to him, but is tapping into Jerry’s experience to get ready for the position.

Bergquist says he’ll stay in his role and train both Kirking and Schafer through part of May, adding he only intends to stay on to finish projects he’s already started.

Bergquist was recently recognized by the North Dakota 911 Association for his over 27 years of leadership and representation in the role. Click here for more on that.

Listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with Andrew Kirking, Riley Schafer, and Jerry Bergquist below:

 

New Emergency Manager and Assistant Emergency Manager