In 1865, lightning struck the Methodist Church on the corner of Ash and Barnes Streets burning it to the ground. Shortly thereafter a newly constructed Clothes Pin factory also burned down after only three weeks in business putting 15 men out of work. As a result, Mason City Council passed an ordinance on July 29, 1867 organizing Mason’s original Hook and Ladder company.
Today the Mason Fire Department proudly protects approximately 16,000 residents covering 85 square miles. The fire service area includes the City of Mason, Aurelius Township, Vevay Township and a portion of Alaiedon Township. Mason Fire is also member of the Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) a regional mutual aid system to better serve all residents near and far.
The Chief leads a team of highly dedicated and committed men and women whose priority is to provide the highest level of customer service to our residents. Each team member is encouraged to meet and exceed these expectations.
Mason Fire Department staffing consists of a full-time Chief, paid on-call Assistant Chief, Captain, two Lieutenants and a combination of Engineers, Firefighters and Trainees who volunteer to serve their community at a moment’s notice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Fire personnel spend a great deal of time training in an effort to be prepared for any emergency that may arise in our community. We are also supported by several of our retirees, auxiliary and the Mason Fire Corp.
Mason Fire Department operates out of the James M. Pelton Memorial Fire Station headquartered at 221 West Ash Street so named after the late Fire Chief James M. Pelton who died in a line of Duty vehicle accident on August 10, 2001. The 12,403 Square foot building was built in 1998 and is located adjacent to Mason City Hall. It houses a fleet of Fire Engines, Pumper Tankers, a Brush Truck, a Squad Vehicle and Command Cars.
Chief Pelton would be the second line of duty death in the history of the Mason Fire Department, the first being on July 4, 1888. As men were hauling the equipment back to the fire hall, Firefighter Willie Wait was crushed between the engine and the firehouse door.
The department is equipped and trained to operate in both the City, where water is readily available by hydrant, or in the townships and rural areas where the ability to transport over 8,000 gallons of water is a benefit. We are also members of the Ingham County Tanker Task Force which has the ability to deliver water tankers from all of the Ingham County fire departments as well as tankers from all of the surrounding Counties.
Kerry Minshall
Fire Chief 
Chief Minshall is a lifelong resident of the City of Mason and has served his community on the Fire Department since 1980. He is extremely dedicated to the City of Mason and the Fire Department. Starting out as a paid on-call firefighter, he worked his way up through the ranks to the Assistant Chief position. In 2007 Minshall was appointed as the full time Fire Chief reporting directly to the City Manager. He helps ensure that Mason Fire Department has the equipment and trained personnel needed to provide professional fire and rescue services to the citizens of our community and surrounding areas.
Chief Minshall is a member of the Ingham County Fire Chiefs Association, the Lansing Metro Area Fire Chiefs and is a Governor appointee to the Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council (MCCERCC). He has an AAS in Emergency Services - Fire Science, is an NFPA Certified Fire Inspector I and a NFPA Certified Fire Plans Examiner. He has completed his Fire Officer I, II & III level certifications. Also, as a Certified Fire Instructor, Minshall enjoys helping to teach new recruits entering the fire service. Minshall is President of the Mason Firefighters Association, is a member of the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society and a Paul Harris Fellow with the Mason Rotary Club.
The fire department is active in providing fire safety education materials and training to children in the Mason area. You can bring the family to visit us at the City of Mason open house hosted each October. We conduct tours of the fire station for groups such as scouts and civic organizations and many school visits. The James Malcom Fire Safety House Trailer, named after the tragic death of 3 ½ year old James Malcom who died while hiding in a closet during a fire in a townhouse on North Court St. on November 15, 1994, is used as a regional asset to educate children on fire safety and what to do if in a fire situation. It is housed at Mason Fire Station 2, an 1800 square foot building located at 615 Curtis Street. It is currently primarily used for training and storage of equipment.
For more information or to schedule a visit contact Customer Service at 517-676-9155.
