Steve Oberle named 2026 South Dakota Fire Instructor of the Year

Tea Second Assistant Chief, Steve Oberle, has been named the 2026 South Dakota Fire Instructor of the Year, an honor presented at the Fire Instructors Conference held in Mitchell in January. The award recognizes exceptional dedication to firefighter education, leadership, and the advancement of fire service training across the state.

With three decades of service to the Tea Fire Department, Oberle’s impact extends far beyond emergency response. His commitment to training and mentoring firefighters has helped shape not only his own department, but fire service professionals throughout South Dakota. Oberle has been instrumental in emphasizing hands-on training, safety-focused decision making, and preparedness for the constantly evolving challenges faced by modern fire departments.

Throughout his career, Oberle has served in nearly every role within the department, gaining firsthand experience that informs his teaching approach. That depth of knowledge has allowed him to connect with firefighters at all stages of their careers, from new recruits to seasoned officers, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the field. Oberle is pictured above with his award.