Waite Park, MN – Fire Chief

The City of Waite Park, MN (8,342) sits in a uniquely balanced position within central Minnesota — close enough to major routes and regional hubs to feel connected yet surrounded by natural features that give it a sense of calm and spaciousness. Waite Park is part of the greater St. Cloud metropolitan area, positioned just west of St. Cloud itself. This places it in a strategic pocket of Stearns County where suburban comfort meets easy access to urban amenities.

The city is bordered by St. Cloud to the east, Sauk Rapids and Sartell to the north, and Rockville and St. Joseph to the west. The cluster of communities forms a lively regional network where Waite Park still enjoys its own identity. Nearby major routes provide for easy access to areas like Minneapolis‑St. Paul and other locations in the area.

This makes Waite Park a convenient home base for commuters, travelers, and anyone who wants quick access to the Twin Cities without living in the metro’s intensity.

For decades, Waite Park has been protected by a dedicated volunteer fire service — a group rooted in tradition, pride, and community connection. The Waite Park Fire Department is woven into the identity of the city itself — a department built on commitment, community pride, and the steady reliability of people who show up when it matters most. For decades, Waite Park relied on a strong roster of approximately 30 paid‑on‑call firefighters who balanced careers, families, and service while answering alarms with the professionalism that defines small‑city fire service at its best.

In recent years, however, the landscape of volunteer and paid‑on‑call service has changed significantly. Increasing training requirements, time commitments, and workforce demands have made recruitment and retention more challenging. At the same time, the department has experienced the retirement of several long‑serving members, some with 20 or more years of dedicated service to the community. Today, the department’s roster has declined to fewer than 15 firefighters.

To ensure continued protection for the community, the City of Waite Park has established an automatic assistance contract with the City of St. Cloud to respond to all fire calls including medicals. This partnership, along with existing mutual aid agreements, reflects the city’s commitment to maintaining a high level of service while navigating evolving staffing realities. In response to this change, the City has made the decision to establish a full‑time Fire Chief position.

This is more than a leadership role; it’s a chance to shape the identity, culture, and operational future of an entire department.

• The department operates from a single station on 13th Avenue North which is currently being renovated and expanded. This location protects a uniquely varied landscape that includes busy commercial corridors, established residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and the rugged terrain of Quarry Park.
• Firefighters serve as partners in hazardous materials incidents, educators in schools, and ambassadors for safety at community events.
• Waite Park is located within a dense and cooperative regional fire service network that includes St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Joseph, and St. Augusta. Mutual Aid and Automatic Aid are structured through strong regional partnerships, countywide coordination, and Minnesota’s Intrastate Mutual Aid system. Together, these systems create a robust safety net for residents and responders alike.
• The department responded to 250 calls for service in 2025, including fire incidents, EMS (non‑transport medical first response), service calls, mutual aid, and automatic aid responses.
• The department holds an ISO Class 4/4Y rating. EMS transport services are provided by Mayo Ambulance, the primary ALS provider for the St. Cloud metro area, with patients transported to St. Cloud Hospital, a Level II Trauma Center.

The city is seeking a forward‑thinking, collaborative leader who can provide strategic direction and organizational stability while guiding the community through this important transition. The next Fire Chief will be expected to evaluate current service models, staffing…