Some people choose a career. Others answer a calling. For Michael “Mike” Todd Wilson, that calling began when he was just three years old.
Growing up around the Plattsmouth Fire Department, Mike was the kid everyone at the station knew. When the fire whistle sounded, he was already moving—pedaling his Big Wheel toward the station or racing there on foot, determined to see the firefighters in action. His passion was so strong that his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lambert, once moved his desk next to hers because Mike had a habit of trying to bolt out the door when the whistle blew. His classmates would jokingly block the doorway to keep him in class.
Even then, it was clear that firefighting wasn’t simply something Mike admired. It was something he was meant to do.
Early Leadership and a Heart for Helping Others
Mike is a 1991 graduate of Plattsmouth High School and the son of Todd Wilson (PHS ’64) and Pat Wilson Piper (PHS ’67). While he began his early schooling in Plattsmouth, he spent eight years living in Lincoln with his mother before returning to Plattsmouth for high school. Throughout those years, Mike never lost his connection to the community where his firefighting dreams began.
During his time in Lincoln, Mike joined the Boy Scouts of America, where he developed the leadership skills and sense of responsibility that would define his life. In June of 1988, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, one of the highest honors in scouting. But even before that, Mike had already demonstrated remarkable courage and composure.
In 1986, Mike received the National Medal of Merit Lifesavers Award from the Boy Scouts of America after safely rescuing five young children from a house that had begun to catch fire. His calm and decisive response prevented a tragedy and gave an early glimpse into the type of leader he would become. The following year, he joined the Lincoln Fire Department Explorer Post 888, where he began learning firefighting techniques and basic first aid from professional firefighters. These experiences helped shape the path that would eventually lead him back home.
Returning to Plattsmouth
In 1988, Mike returned to Plattsmouth to live with his father and begin his high school years. During high school he participated in both football and wrestling, while continuing to pursue his interest in service and leadership. After graduating from Plattsmouth High School in 1991, Mike moved to Murray, Nebraska, where he joined the Murray Volunteer Fire Department. During his time there, he earned his State of Nebraska EMT license and was appointed the department’s Training Officer in 1993, helping prepare others for emergency response.
During this same period, Mike began working with several local businesses before eventually finding what would become his professional home at Schmidt/OFC Liquid Trucking. For the past 25 years, Mike has been a valued member of the Liquid Trucking team, serving as both a Safety and Fleet Coordinator and a driver. In an industry where safety, reliability, and teamwork are essential, Mike has brought the same sense of responsibility and service that he has shown throughout his life.
Carrying on a Family Legacy
In 1994, Mike returned once again to Plattsmouth and joined the Plattsmouth Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, becoming a second-generation firefighter following in the footsteps of his family. Two years later, in 1996, he earned his State of Nebraska Firefighter I certification from the Nebraska State Fire Marshal. His dedication and leadership quickly became evident to those around him.
In 1997, his fellow rescue members elected him Rescue Squad Lieutenant, and the following year Fire Chief Michael Kief appointed him Fire Lieutenant. From 1999 to 2004, Mike served as First Assistant Fire Chief, a position he held for six years. Then in 2005, after being elected by his peers and appointed by the Mayor, Mike became Fire Chief of the Plattsmouth Volunteer Fire Department. Over the last 21 years, he has led the department with dedication and integrity, becoming the longest-serving Fire Chief in the department’s history, a record that dates back to 1880.
Leadership Beyond the Firehouse
Mike’s service extends far beyond responding to emergencies. Over the years, he has received numerous honors and appointments in recognition of his leadership. He was appointed by the Governor of Nebraska to serve on the Cass County Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC) and continues to serve as the Hazmat Transportation Representative for the commission today.
Mike also served as an advisor to the Omaha Fire Department Explorer Post, helping guide young people interested in the fire service. One of those young people was his own son, Dakota, who became a third-generation member of the fire service, continuing the Wilson family legacy. Mike’s leadership was also recognized by the National Safety Council’s Greater Omaha Chapter, which honored him with the Public Servant Award. The award recognized his outstanding leadership and his work modernizing Plattsmouth’s Emergency Medical Services system.
Working alongside the Mayor, City Council, and city administration, Mike spent four years helping develop a plan to provide full-time paramedic coverage for Plattsmouth EMS. Today, the department operates as a combination service with both paid and volunteer staff, significantly strengthening emergency medical care in the community. In 2021, after 30 years as an EMT and EMS provider, Mike retired from Plattsmouth EMS—another milestone in a lifetime dedicated to helping others. He remains active in the International Association of Fire Chiefs, including participation in the Missouri Valley Division and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.
A Community That Knows His Impact
Mike’s service has touched nearly every corner of the Plattsmouth community. He has spent years volunteering with the Plattsmouth Harvest Festival, where his dedication earned him the honor of becoming a Lord of the Realm. He was also named Plattsmouth Citizen of the Year by the Plattsmouth Community Foundation, recognizing his unwavering commitment to the community he calls home. These honors reflect something that people in Plattsmouth already know: Mike has always been someone who shows up when his community needs him.
Family at the Center
Behind Mike’s decades of service is a strong family foundation. Mike married his high school sweetheart, Dawn (Helsley) Wilson (PHS ’90), in 1993. Together they have built a life in rural Plattsmouth and raised four sons—Dakota, Jordon, Brady, and Presley—while welcoming daughter-in-law Corryn and grandchildren Maverik and Maysi into the family. Mike often credits his family as the backbone that made his service possible. Their support allowed him to dedicate countless hours to the fire department, the community, and his work.
A Well-Earned Honor
Mike was recently inducted into the Plattsmouth High School Hall of Fame, a recognition that celebrates not only his achievements but the values he represents. In typical Mike fashion, he attributes this honor not to himself alone, but to the mentors, family members, and community leaders who helped shape him along the way. To Mike, success is not about individual recognition—it’s about building a community where others can grow and lead.
With Gratitude
At Liquid Trucking, we’re proud to work alongside people who care deeply about their communities, and Mike Wilson is a perfect example of that spirit. For more than 25 years, Mike has brought the same dedication, integrity, and leadership to Liquid Trucking that he has shown in his decades of public service. His story reminds us that true leadership often happens quietly—through years of commitment, mentorship, and showing up for others when it matters most.