A brief history of the Waite Park Fire Department

For generations, the Waite Park Fire Department has proudly served the City of Waite Park with a commitment to protecting lives, property, and the community. While the department's exact founding date has not been confirmed through available historical records, official city documents show that the department was well established prior to 1945, when Frank Mallon concluded his service as Fire Chief.

Throughout its history, the department has grown alongside the City of Waite Park, adapting to changing community needs while remaining rooted in the traditions of public service, professionalism, and volunteerism.

Building a Tradition of Leadership

Strong leadership has guided the department through decades of growth and change. The department's documented chiefs include:

• Frank Mallon – served until 1945
• Alfred Tamble – 1945–1960
• Robert Wilkes – 1961–1965
• Dan Roeder – 1966
• Norbert Feld – 1966–1981
• Ed Bauer – 1981–1992
• Gary Curtis – 1992–2012
• Jim Aleshire – 2013–2026
• Shawn Downs – appointed as the department's first full-time Fire Chief in 2026

Each chief helped shape the department while preparing it for the challenges of the next generation.

A Modern Fire Department Takes Shape

One of the department's most significant milestones came in 1994 with the construction of the current fire station at 19 13th Avenue North. Built as part of Waite Park's new municipal government complex, the station united city services and provided firefighters with a modern headquarters that continues to serve the community today.

The department entered another important chapter in 2003 when the Waite Park Fire Department and the Waite Park Rescue Squad merged into a single organization. The merger strengthened emergency response by combining fire suppression, rescue, and medical first response under one department, creating the foundation for today's all-hazards response model.

Serving a Growing Community

As Waite Park expanded into one of Central Minnesota's busiest commercial and residential communities, so too did the responsibilities of its fire department. Today's firefighters protect neighborhoods, schools, industrial facilities, retail centers, parks, and major transportation corridors while responding to fires, rescue incidents, hazardous conditions, and medical emergencies.

For many years the department operated as a volunteer organization before transitioning to a paid-on-call model. Generations of dedicated firefighters have balanced careers and family life while answering the call to serve their community at all hours of the day and night.
Like many departments across Minnesota, Waite Park has experienced changing recruitment and staffing trends. In response, city leaders have continued investing in the department to ensure dependable emergency services for residents and businesses.
Investing in Equipment and Training

The Waite Park Fire Department has consistently modernized its equipment to meet the community's changing needs.

By the early 2000s, the department operated multiple engines, a tower, a tanker, rescue apparatus, and specialized support vehicles. In 2017, the department took delivery of a new E-One Rescue Engine, representing one of the largest apparatus investments in department history and replacing a longtime American LaFrance Engine that had faithfully served the community for decades.
Alongside equipment upgrades, firefighter training has remained a priority. Members maintain state firefighter certification while continually developing their skills through firefighting, rescue, driver/operator, and emergency medical training. These investments have helped the department maintain a high level of preparedness and an ISO Class 4/4Y fire protection rating.

Meeting New Challenges

The 2020s marked a period of significant organizational change.

Like many paid-on-call departments across the country, Waite Park experienced increasing recruitment and staffing challenges. To ensure reliable emergency response, the City of Waite Park partnered with the City of St. Cloud through a Fire and EMS Initial Response Agreement beginning in 2024. The agreement strengthened regional cooperation while allowing Waite Park firefighters to continue serving their community as part of a broader public safety network.

Recognizing the evolving demands placed on the department, the city also created its first full-time Fire Chief position. In June 2026, Shawn Downs was appointed to lead the department, marking a historic transition in the organization's leadership structure while preserving the experience and knowledge of existing command staff.

Expanding for the Future

As Waite Park continues to grow, so does its fire department.

Construction began in 2025 on a major expansion and renovation of the Public Safety Facility at 19 13th Avenue North. The project represents another major investment in the future of emergency services, providing updated facilities that will support firefighters and the community for decades to come.

Responding When the Community Needs Us Most

Throughout its history, the Waite Park Fire Department has responded to countless emergencies, from residential fires and vehicle accidents to large commercial incidents.

Among the department's most notable responses in recent years are:
• The 2015 Emerald Companies fire, resulting in approximately $300,000 in damage.
• The 2016 Sundial IV Apartment fire, during which firefighters performed multiple rescues and assisted in evacuating residents. The fire displaced 41 people and was later determined to be arson.
• The 2017 commercial fire on 7th Street South, which resulted in the loss of a business.
• The five-alarm Ultimate Sports Bar fire in 2020, one of the largest and most visible fires in the city's recent history.
These incidents reflect the professionalism, courage, and dedication demonstrated by Waite Park firefighters every day.

A Commitment Beyond Emergency Response

The Waite Park Fire Department's mission extends well beyond emergency calls.

Firefighters participate in Fire Prevention activities, visit local schools, host community open houses, provide station tours, and promote fire safety education throughout the year. The department also serves as an important partner in emergency medical first response, working alongside regional ambulance providers and neighboring fire departments to deliver coordinated care during emergencies.

Looking Ahead

From its earliest days before 1945 to today's modern emergency service organization, the Waite Park Fire Department has continually evolved to meet the needs of a growing community.

While equipment, facilities, and staffing models have changed over the decades, one constant remains: the department's unwavering commitment to protecting the people of Waite Park.

As the city continues to grow, the Waite Park Fire Department stands ready to build on its proud tradition of service—honoring those who came before while preparing the next generation of firefighters to answer the call.