
Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
(TNS)
Jan. 13—ROCHESTER — Rochester Fire Chief Eric Kerska will retire Friday, after 30 years of service.
Kerska began his career with the Rochester Fire Department in 1994 while simultaneously serving in the Army National Guard. Over the years, he worked his way up from firefighter to being appointed chief in 2018.
“Chief Eric Kerska’s 30 years of dedicated service to the Rochester Fire Department have made a lasting impact on our community. His leadership, commitment and unwavering devotion to public safety have set the tone for transformation and reliability of fire and emergency response,” City Administrator Alison Zelms said in a statement announcing the retirement date. “Further, his focus on teamwork and collaboration has strengthened relationships with area fire responders and across the city organization. On behalf of the entire community, we thank Chief Kerska for his decades of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
As chief, Kerska introduced a comprehensive mental health program that includes annual check-ups and access to resources during mental health emergencies. Additionally, he led efforts to expand eligibility for public employee retirement benefits, ensuring more members of the department have access through legislation that was signed into law during the last legislative session.
In addition to his career with the department, Kerska served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard for 32 years, rising to the rank of colonel. During his military service, he completed three combat deployments totaling more than 36 months in a combat zone and commanded an Armored Brigade Combat Team during Operation New Dawn.
A retirement celebration is planned for Kerska from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Fire Station 1, located at 521 S. Broadway Ave.
Mason Pooler has been named as Chief Kerska’s successor.
Pooler, who joined city staff on Jan. 6, has a long-standing career in the fire service. He began his career in 1998 with the Germantown, Wisconsin, Fire Department. He also served at the Merrill, Wisconsin, Fire Department before joining the West Allis, Wisconsin, Fire Department in 2002 where he was appointed as fire chief in 2017.
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