Edina, Minn., Dec. 19, 2022 – Todd Porthan, Scott Vadnais, Travis Jacobs and Matt Willems were recently promoted to Captain and Natalie Young has been hired as a Paramedic/Firefighter for the Edina Fire Department.
The four new Captains have 67 years of combined experience with the Edina Fire Department. Porthan and Vadnais started in November 1997, Willems in 2012 and Jacobs in 2015. Prior to the promotions, Porthan and Vadnais served as Lieutenants. Willems and Jacobs were previously Paramedic/Firefighters. The decision to promote three additional Captains made to properly staff Fire Station 2. With four Captains, both fire stations will always have a Captain on duty.
“Additional Captains allows us to balance fire protection on both sides of the city,” said Operations Fire Chief Pete Fisher.
Young is joining the Edina Fire Department as a former Maplewood Fire Department paramedic firefighter. She was with Maplewood for eight months and her first day with Edina was Monday, Dec. 12. Young has a technical certification as an EMT Paramedic from Inver Hills Community College.
“Edina Fire Department is known to be a well-respected organization for both Fire and EMS,” said Young. “Edina seems to always have their hand in improving pre-hospital medical care as well as having great relationships with mutual aid partners.”
For more information on the Edina Fire Department, visit EdinaMN.gov/Fire or call 952-826-0330.