Burnsville's new fire chief brings energy

The Burnsville Fire Department will soon see a young face return as its new fire chief.

B.J. Jungmann, assistant fire chief and emergency medical services director in Maplewood, was hired as the new Burnsville chief and will begin working Feb. 28. Jungmann was a firefighter in Burnsville for two years before taking his job in Maplewood in 2008. Jungmann, 28, will be stepping into shoes previously filled by those with decades of experience.

However, those who have worked with him don't see his age as an issue.

"Having a young energy here wanting to make changes has been refreshing," said Steve Lukin, Maplewood fire chief and Jungmann's current boss. "People talk because of his age but I don't see that as a problem at all. He's going to do a lot for Burnsville."

He will replace former chief Steve Harklerode, who retired last year after 26 years with the department.

Lukin said he has known Jungmann for more than five years and has especially seen him grow within the past year.

"He's going to take some hard knocks and learn not everything is the way it seems," Lukin said. "But he was very active here and has good first-hand experience on a lot of projects."

"Just like anything else, you get a little bit nervous starting a new job, but I have a lot of support from the folks down there," Jungmann said. "And the willingness to continue learning has helped me tremendously."

All of this learning has helped Jungmann climb the career ladder fast.

Jungmann started his paid career as a Burnsville firefighter in 2006 but has been a volunteer with the Oakdale Fire Department for 11 years.

His educational background includes a bachelor's degree in fire science management from the American Military University as well as two years of paramedics training.

Burnsville City Manager Craig Ebeling said when the city began looking for a new fire chief, they wanted someone imaginative and someone with the ability to communicate effectively with the fire staff, as well as the public and the City Council.

As a previous member of the firefighting staff, Jungmann knows most of the members of the Burnsville Fire Department, which he said will help him ease into his new position.

"I'm going to be in a new role, but we don't have to go through the introductions stage," Jungmann said. "That'll help, having a working relationship underway so I can hit the ground running."

Lukin said it is going to be hard to replace Jungmann but that everyone in Maplewood wants to see him succeed.

"I told Burnsville if at some point they want to get rid of him, send him back," Lukin joked. "I'd take him back any day."