Change in chiefs of the Rochester Fire Department

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – On Monday, the Rochester City Council unanimously approved City Manager Allison Zelms’ recommendation to hire Mason Pooler as the department’s next fire chief.

Pooler brings more than 25 years of fire service experience and is currently chief in West Allis, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee.

The Rochester Fire Department is preparing to welcome Pooler as its new fire chief while also beginning the process of saying goodbye to outgoing Chief Eric Kerska.

Kerska claimed he began his career as a volunteer firefighter in Rochester more than 30 years ago and climbed the fire service ladder there.

“I started as a firefighter in May 1994. Yes, and I served as a captain. After that, I was promoted to captain of the fire department for six years, then to battalion chief and finally to chief,” Kerska explained.

Kerska mentioned that he wants to be remembered for improving mental health awareness within the city fire department.

“I think what I’m most proud of is the mental health steps we’ve taken over the last four to six years,” Kerska said. “We started a pastoral care program and now we have a licensed psychologist with whom we contract. So that all of our people can get what they need to stay healthy.”

As Kerska sets off, Pooler makes plans for his new territory.

“That’s why I think with me as chief you’ll have a strong emphasis on code enforcement, fire inspection and making sure our firefighters are safe in the community,” Pooler noted.

Pooler said he began his firefighting career in 1998 as a volunteer and paramedic. He holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in fire safety topics and is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program.

“When I did it, it was a four-year program, which was basically a four-year college-level course of study where you do a senior paper once a year every four years,” Pooler said. “So I was one of the few Wisconsin graduates from that program.”

Pooler will start as interim fire chief on Jan. 6 and work under Kerska for two weeks before officially retiring.

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