Jeff Peterson Day – Wednesday 9, 2008

Jeff Peterson has been named to the 2008 Winona County Fair Hall of Fame for his contribution to the fair coordinating the First Aid program during the yearly event.

Peterson started working for Winona County Community Health Services in 2002 as an Emergency Medical Services Specialist. His role with the county has evolved over the years into what is now called a Public Health Emergency Planning Coordinator. This was a very important function during the August 2007 flooding in Southeastern Minnesota.

“Some of my job prior to the flooding was working with our department on planning for emergency, but the challenge last year was figuring out how to work when it is difficult to travel to work,” said Peterson.

Peterson was assigned to his work at the fair early in his career with the county, and says he “just loves” being up at the fairgrounds. For Peterson it is a time to connect with the residents of Winona County, but also be a help to people. His fondness for the fair also finds Peterson putting in volunteer hours beyond what is required by his job for the event.

“During the fair I typically deal with blisters, slivers and the people who over do in the heat…  I also have the opportunity to tell people about the emergency services we have in the county,” Peterson commented.

Peterson is delighted with the new first aid facility made available to him during the 2007 fair.  He can now be found in rooms on the east end of the new Winona County Fair Office building. This change has meant there is an air conditioned place for people to come to who are showing signs of heat exhaustion.

Living just outside of Winona in Rollingstone Township, Peterson also manages the Sundown Motel in Minnesota City in his spare time and teaches First Aid and CPR courses at the technical college in Winona and for the Goodview First Responders. He is a graduate of Mabel-Canton High School and attended Winona State University. Peterson’s family includes his father and brother.  

In choosing his career, Peterson credits his mother who was a LPN at a nursing home for 36 years. He states that she was an “influence” in his path to help people.