Rapid City firefighters to be honored during first responders night

Rapid City, S.D. – Members of the Rapid City Fire Department will be recognized on Saturday, January 10, during First Responders Night with the Rapid City Rush.

The event will honor firefighters who received the Ben Franklin Award for Valor for their actions during a fatal high-speed vehicle crash earlier this year.

Firefighters Kyle Steen, Nick Jasnoch, and Morgan Helton, along with Fire Chief Jason Culberson, were honored in August 2025 by the International Association of Fire Chiefs at the Fire-Rescue International Conference in Orlando.

The award recognized their outstanding bravery during their response to a fatal high-speed vehicle wreck on April 9, 2025, in Rapid City.

Department officials said the recognition highlights the firefighters’ courage and commitment to public safety, as well as the risks first responders face while serving the community.