The Chief

The Chief’s position had been a volunteer/part-time paid position until January 18, 1999. On that date, Denison hired its first and only full-time paid member: Mike McKinnon.

I was born and raised in Clarinda, Iowa. I graduated from Clarinda High School and went on to Northwest Missouri State University majoring in Business Management. I was employed full-time at Hy-Vee in Clarinda and attending college full-time in Maryville, Missouri, 40 miles away. Work and school was not enough, so I joined the Clarinda Volunteer Fire Department in 1990.

Through my years of firefighting I became an American Heart CPR-Instructor Trainer, Haz-Mat Technician, Dive Rescue I and Firefighter II, Fire Officer I, Fire Instructor II and Fire Investigator I certified.  However; my biggest achievement was in 1994 when I married my grade-school sweetheart, Nancy.

My goal was to someday be chief and eventually be hired as a full-time firefighter. Denison was the achievement of both goals.

I have put a big emphasis on education and prevention. I take SAM (my Dalmatian) with me when I do my presentations, she really gets the audience’s attention.

Being the fire chief in Denison has shown me how important community is.  Denison is a great place to live and raise a family.  With the quality of life and a superb school district, Denison is perfect.  The firefighters in Denison are extremely dedicated to their duty of providing fire and rescue protection to the area.  The Denison firefighters are amoung the best in the nation, they train hard and work even harder.

Next time you are in Denison, please stop by for a tour.  We are always happy to show off our station and appartus.

Thanks to all,

Mike