Norton Shores Fire Department

06/13/2026

E-Bike Safety Reminder

Just before 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning, the Norton Shores Fire Department responded to the 1400 block of Brookwood Drive for a report of explosions coming from a garage. Upon arrival, firefighters found that a lithium-ion battery from an e-bike had caught fire.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident serves as an important reminder that lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode if damaged, defective, improperly charged, or improperly stored.

To help keep you and your family safe, follow these e-bike battery safety tips:

• Only purchase e-bikes, batteries, and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Always use the battery and charger designed specifically for your device.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and use.
• Do not leave batteries charging after they are fully charged.
• Charge only one battery or device at a time to avoid overloading electrical circuits.
• Store batteries at room temperature and avoid direct sunlight or hot vehicles.
• Keep e-bikes and batteries away from exits and combustible materials.
• Have repairs performed only by qualified professionals.

Stop using the battery immediately if you notice an unusual odor, excessive heat, discoloration, swelling, leaking, smoking, or if it no longer holds a charge properly.

If a lithium-ion battery catches fire, leave the building immediately, do not attempt to fight the fire yourself, and call 911.

The Norton Shores Fire Department encourages residents to review battery safety practices and ensure their e-bikes and other battery-powered devices are charged and stored safely.

06/10/2026

UPDATE: This information is from June 10, 2026, and is no longer the latest weather update.

🚨 Severe Thunderstorm Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Mason, Muskegon, and Oceana counties until 6:45 PM EDT.

Storms are moving east at about 50 mph and may bring:

🌬️ Wind gusts up to 60 mph
🌨️ Penny-size hail
🏚️ Possible damage to roofs, siding, and trees

Impacted areas may include Muskegon, Ludington, Hart, Shelby, Muskegon Heights, Whitehall, Montague, Ravenna, Scottville, Fruitport, Pentwater, Hesperia, and surrounding communities.

06/08/2026

🚒 May 2026 Monthly Update 🚒

May was another active month for the Norton Shores Fire Department, as our firefighters continued to serve the community through emergency response, training, and public outreach.

📞 275 Calls for Service
When emergencies happen, our team is ready to respond—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

🎓 Investing in Excellence
• 44.25 hours of department training
• 5.75 hours of meetings
• 127.5 hours of new hire recruit training

Continuous training ensures our firefighters are prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

☕ Canteen 450 Support
Our dedicated Canteen 450 volunteers responded to 4 incidents and provided 402 items to first responders, offering comfort and support when it was needed most.

🤝 Community Connections
We participated in 5 community events, contributing a total of 7 hours to engage with residents, answer questions, and strengthen relationships throughout Norton Shores.

🏠 Smoke Alarm Program
No smoke alarms were installed during May. Remember to test your smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries as recommended to keep your family safe.

We are proud to serve the residents, businesses, and visitors of Norton Shores. Thank you for your continued support and trust in our department.

🔥 Prepared. Dedicated. Community Focused.

06/05/2026

Last night, two of our cadets graduated from the 2026 Muskegon County Fire Academy.

Congratulations to CFF Cassidy Alichar and CFF Dax Alm on this significant achievement. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to the fire service have paid off, and we are proud to have you as part of our department.

Congratulations to both of you, and job well done! We wish you continued success as you begin the next chapter of your fire service careers.

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.”