By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Four men have recently been hired as firefighters with Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory.

Chad Bassett, Tristan Pass, Matt Koldyke, and Logan Keener all come to WWFT with prior experience at area fire departments.

Logan Keener

Logan Keener

Keener is from Allen County and has five years of prior fire service experience, including full-time work with the Huntertown Fire Department. He attended Purdue University Fort Wayne for several years for nursing before entering fire service. In his spare time, Keener enjoys cycling.

“Part of what drew me was the higher level of training and skill that Warsaw offers with their tech rescue and dive rescue teams and all the specialities they provide for the community,” said Keener.

Keener said he was inspired to enter fire service after being saved by firefighters at a young age.

“My house burned down and I was actually on the second floor,” said Keener. “The fire department helped me get out and helped my family get out safely. That plus a family history of being in public safety…it was always something that interested me. I just didn’t know that I wanted to do it as a career until I was a volunteer and part-time for a couple years.”

Matt Koldyke

Matt Koldyke

Koldyke grew up in Kosciusko County and lives in the Burket area. He was a volunteer firefighter for Burket Fire Department and worked full-time with Rochester Fire Department for one year before joining WWFT. Koldyke has a Bachelor of Science in natural resources from Ball State University.

He’s been married for seven years and has three sons. Koldyke’s hobbies include hunting, fishing and being outside with his children.

“The first couple runs where you go out and are helping people, I’ve really enjoyed that,” said Koldyke. “You can never get bored of it and that’s what drew me to pursue a career (in fire service).”

Koldyke recommends anyone interested in pursuing fire service become a volunteer firefighter to see if it’s a good fit.

Tristan Pass

Tristan Pass

Pass is from the Leesburg area and graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 2019. He immediately entered the fire service upon his graduation. Pass is also a volunteer firefighter with Plain Township Fire Department.

“My junior year, my dad joined Leesburg as a volunteer and I rode with him to see what he had been doing,” said Pass. “I tried out the high school (firefighting) class and I loved it.”

In his free time, Pass enjoys hunting, hiking, and kayaking.

“Being there on somebody’s worst day and doing everything you can to make that better, it’s a very fulfilling job,” said Pass.

Chad Bassett

Chad Bassett

Bassett grew up in the Wabash area and graduated from Southwood High School. He was a volunteer firefighter for Lagro Fire Department for a couple years and then worked for Personal Care Ambulance Transport (PCAT). He also worked for Wabash Fire Department for four years.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a firefighter or a cop,” said Bassett.

Bassett is married with two children. He enjoys golfing, hunting and fishing.

“When you do get that save, or you get someone back, or rescue someone out of a burning house, when you’re a part of making that happen, it’s very rewarding,” said Bassett.