Norton Shores Fire Department

05/21/2026

Last night, two of our department firefighters were recognized at the Call to Honor Awards and Recognition Banquet hosted by the Muskegon County Emergency Medical Service Authority.

Battalion Chief Jerry Ferrier was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his dedication, long-term contributions, and outstanding leadership in serving our community.

Firefighter Scott Steinhauer received the Community Service Medal for his exceptional community outreach efforts and for developing programs within our department that continue to benefit the citizens of Norton Shores.

Congratulations to both of these outstanding firefighters on their well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your continued service and commitment to our community. Job well done!

05/18/2026

Last Thursday, we were honored to welcome a very special guest to the Norton Shores Fire Department. Firefighter Wayne Kitchen stopped by to take a ride in the very truck he drove back in the mid-1950s.

Mr. Kitchen served with the Norton Township Fire Department for three years and was a member of the department’s 8th Firefighter Class — a remarkable reminder of our department’s history, as we are now on the 68th Firefighter Class.

During his visit, Mr. Kitchen enjoyed riding once again in the 1945 Ford Fire Truck, while our crews enjoyed listening to his stories and memories of the department from the 1950s.

A special thank you to former Fire Chief Bob Gagnon for helping coordinate this visit, and to Green Shift for making this memorable experience possible for Firefighter Kitchen.

05/13/2026

April 2026 Highlights:

🚒 261 calls for service
📚 74.25 hours of department training
👨‍🚒 118 hours of new hire recruit training
🏠 3 smoke alarms installed in homes
⚠️ 2 carbon monoxide detectors installed in homes
☕ Canteen 450: 4 calls, with 308 items served
🤝 4 community events, totaling 8 hours requested

Thank you to our firefighters, recruits, Canteen 450 volunteers, and community partners for their continued dedication to serving Norton Shores.

05/01/2026

When a call comes in, someone shows up.

For years, that someone has often been Mark Konecny. As he retires from the Norton Shores Fire Department, his story reflects a career built on service, teamwork, and a deep connection to the community he’s always called home.

From growing up in Norton Shores to returning later in life to serve the same community, his journey comes full circle in a way that feels uniquely local.

Get to know Mark and join us in thanking him for his many dedicated years of service.

https://nortonshoresliving.com/coming-home-to-serve-celebrating-the-career-of-firefighter-mark-konecny/

05/01/2026

04/28/2026

You may have heard the saying, “If it ain’t raining, we ain’t training.”

04/18/2026

Friday evening, April 17, 2026

As thunderstorms move through our area, please keep these safety tips in mind to protect yourself and your family:

🌬️ High Winds
• Secure or bring in outdoor items (furniture, trash cans, decorations)
• Stay away from windows and doors
• Avoid driving if possible, especially in high-profile vehicles
• Watch for downed trees and power lines

⛈️ Thunderstorms
• Go indoors at the first sign of thunder
• Postpone outdoor activities until the storm passes
• Keep a weather radio or alerts enabled on your phone
• Never drive through flooded roadways: Turn Around, Don’t Drown

⚡ Lightning
• When thunder roars, go indoors
• Avoid using electrical appliances and plumbing
• Stay off corded phones
• If caught outside with no shelter, avoid open fields, tall trees, and metal objects

🛑 Remember: The safest place during severe weather is inside a sturdy building, in an interior room away from windows.

Stay alert. Stay safe.

04/13/2026

Monday evening training is in full swing as our team works through Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) Operations 1 in as part of our FAA-required annual training.

We’re fortunate to have Fire Chief Gutierrez leading the course. His expertise goes beyond the fireground, as a licensed general aviation pilot, bringing real-world aviation insight directly into the classroom. That experience adds tremendous value as our personnel sharpen the skills needed to respond safely and effectively in an aircraft emergency.

Ongoing training like this ensures our crews stay ready, capable, and prepared to protect both our community and those traveling through our airspace. 🚒✈️

Muskegon County Airport

04/12/2026

🐾❤️ Happy National Pet Day, Norton Shores! ❤️🐾

Today, we’re celebrating the furry (and feathered!) members of our families who bring us joy, comfort, and unconditional love every single day. But it’s also the perfect reminder that protecting our pets means being prepared, especially when seconds matter.

At the Norton Shores Fire Department, we’re proud to offer Community Connect—a free, secure, and easy way to help us better protect your home, your loved ones, and yes… your pets.

🐶🐱 Why it matters:
In an emergency, first responders don’t always know who, or what, is inside your home. Community Connect allows you to share critical details like:
• Pet information 🐾
• Access points 🔑
• Utility shutoffs ⚡
• Special needs occupants 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

That information helps us respond faster, smarter, and more safely when it matters most.

💡 Take action today:
It only takes a few minutes to sign up, but the impact could last a lifetime.
👉 https://www.communityconnect.io/info/mi-nortonshores/

Because here in Norton Shores, safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re all in this together.

Let’s protect every member of your family… including the ones with paws. 🐾❤️

04/10/2026

🔥 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽 🔥

March was a busy and productive month for the Norton Shores Fire Department, and we’re proud to share how our team continues to serve, train, and connect with our community every day.

🚒 By the Numbers:
• 262 calls for service — always ready when you need us.
• 44 hours of training + 6.5 hours of meetings — staying sharp and prepared.
• 166 hours of new recruit training — investing in the future of our department.

🏠 Community Safety in Action:
• 26 smoke alarms installed — protecting lives, one home at a time

☕ Canteen 450 Support:
• Responded to 5 calls, serving 217 items to help keep responders fueled and supported.

🤝 Community Engagement:
• Participated in 2 community events, strengthening relationships and building trust.

Every call, every training hour, and every community interaction reflects our commitment to readiness, transparency, and service. As we move forward, we remain focused on keeping Norton Shores safe, informed, and connected.

💬 Have questions or want to learn more about our fire safety programs? Drop a comment or reach out — we’re here for you.