MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Mitchell firefighter Chad Cody was recently named South Dakota’s VFW Firefighter of the Year. He joined the Plankinton Volunteer Fire Department when he was 17 and became part of the Mitchell Fire Department in 2010. Now, as battalion chief, he oversees daily operations and helps train his team. Cody was nominated for the award by the Mitchell Fire Chief and VFW leader Dr. Martin Christensen. An award ceremony will reportedly take place in Pierre this summer.