2025 Fire Department Annual ReportMENDOTA HEIGHTS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL
REPORT
2025
MESSAGE
FROM
THE CHIEF
I am pleased to present the Mendota Heights Fire Department’s 2025
Annual Report.
The Mendota Heights Fire Department is built on training,
professionalism, accountability, and trust. Those values shape the
way we recruit and develop our members, maintain our equipment,
and serve the community when people call for help.
We are a paid-on-call department made up of your neighbors. That
model only works because of the commitment of the people willing to
answer calls at all hours while balancing full-time jobs, families, and
other responsibilities.
In 2025, the Department responded to 371 calls for service,
completed more than 3,850 hours of training, participated in
numerous public education and community outreach events, and
welcomed five new firefighters. Behind each of those numbers is a
team that shows up prepared, takes its responsibilities seriously, and
genuinely cares about this community.
We are grateful for the trust this community places in us, and we take
that responsibility seriously every time we respond to a call.
Thank you for your continued support of the Mendota Heights Fire
Department.
-Chief Dan Johnson
Lilydale Mendota Sunfish Lake
Mendota Heights
FireMedicalHazardous SituationPublic AssistGood IntentFalse AlarmSevere Weather0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2025 CALLS
FOR SERVICE
Local Calls: 343 Mutual Aid Calls: 28 Total Calls: 371
RECRUITMENT &
RETENTION
Your neighbors are your first responders. That’s not a slogan — it’s
how this Department works.
The Mendota Heights Fire Department is a paid-on-call team made
up of community members who live and work in the area they serve.
Maintaining that model requires continued investment in training,
equipment, leadership development, and member support.
In partnership with the City Council, the Department has continued
working to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts while
maintaining the high standards expected of today’s fire service.
Serving as a firefighter is demanding, but it is also meaningful work
built on teamwork, commitment, and service to others. If you are
interested in learning more about becoming part of the Department,
visit MendotaHeightsMN.gov/BecomeAFirefighter.
The Mendota Heights Fire Relief Association supports the long-term
strength and stability of the Fire Department by managing retirement
benefits for members and supporting projects outside the city budget.
Each year, contributions from the City and State help fund the pension
program, which recognizes and rewards years of dedicated service
while also supporting firefighter recruitment and retention.
The Relief Association also helps fund Department initiatives and
events, including the annual retirement banquet and community
outreach activities.
Donations are always appreciated and help support the Department
and its members.
Checks payable to:
Mendota Heights Fire Relief Association
2121 Dodd Road
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
FIRE RELIEF
ASSOCIATION
DEPARTMENT
TRAINING
In 2025, firefighters completed:
More than 3,850 hours of
cumulative training
105 training hours per active
firefighter
Training included:
AHA CPR Recertification
Tabletop Fireground
Simulations
Ice Water Rescue
Hazardous Materials
Operations
Firefighter Survivability and
Mayday Drills
Emotional & Mental Health
Medical Refresher &
Scenarios
Fire Apparatus Operation
Water Supply Operations
Ropes / Rescue
Sprinkler & Alarm Systems
Ladders / Search & Rescue
School Pre-plans & Site Visits
Three firefighters completed a
40-hour program to become
certified Driver/Operators:
Ricky Chodek
Christian Douah
Anna Molinaro
Three new firefighters
graduated from the Fire
Academy:
Brandon Rebhan
Joe Fabiano
Pete Johnson
In August, the Department
welcomed five new members:
Joe Fitzgerald
Chris Jones
Rachel Miller
John Samec
Nick Segl
Fire & Life Safety Education Events
Annual MHFD Fire Prevention Open House
Fire and life safety education programs for
elementary students
Outreach visits to schools serving students with
autism
Safety Camp
Fire and life safety education for senior living
residents
Dakota County Youth Firesetter Prevention and
Intervention Program
Public fire extinguisher, Hands -Only CPR, and
AED awareness training
PUBLIC
EDUCATION
The mission of the Mendota Heights Fire Department Public
Education Program is to educate and train the communities we
serve on fire and hazard safety to ensure the protection of life
and property.
Engaged With The Community :
Frozen Fun Fest
Touch-a-Truck
Mendota Days
Picnic with Public Safety
Night to Unite
Trick or Teeing
The following parks have
functioning AEDs for public use
in the case of an emergency:
Friendly Hills
Mendakota
Kensington
Wentworth
Marie
DEPARTMENT
RETIREMENTS
Frank Hazzard
Frank joined the Fire Department in 2014
and served until 2025.
Frank dedicated more than 10 years to
the Department and the communities we
serve.
Thank you, Frank, for your commitment.
We wish you luck on your next chapter!
Jay Taylor
Jay joined the Fire Department in 1999
and decided 2025 was the year to
hang up his fire gear for the last time.
Jay participated in numerous
committees over the years including
the station expansion committee and
the radio communications committee.
Thank you, Jay, for your efforts these
past 25 years!
SAVE THE DATE
FIRE DEPARTMENT
OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY, OCT. 10, 2026
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Mendota Heights
Fire Station
Mendota Heights Fire Department
2121 Dodd Road
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
651-452-1850
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Fire