CCFR Chief Russ Mason Announces Retirement
Mason to finish career with the District in early January
Thirty-eight years ago Central County Fire & Rescue (CCFR) Chief Russ Mason started his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter in Bolivar, Missouri. He has risen to become Chief of one of the largest fire protection districts in the St. Louis Metro area and a leader in the Missouri emergency services community. In 2012 he was named one of the top ten fire chiefs in the country. On Jan. 8, 2016 Mason will complete his service to CCFR when he retires.
“Chief Russ Mason has dedicated his life to protecting the community by providing the best emergency response services possible. By responding to more than 2,000 fire-related incidents, being responsible for point of origin and cause determination for over 1,000 fires, and helping create a strong well-respected fire protection district he exemplifies what many strive to become. His leadership, dedication and passion for the fire service will be greatly missed,” says CCFR Board President Dave Tilley.
During his career Mason has served as Chief of the Bolivar Fire Department, Assistant Chief of Rolla Fire & Rescue and Missouri’s Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal/Chief Investigator. While serving as Assistant Chief of the St. Peters Fire Protection District he helped lead the efforts to consolidate the District with the St. Charles Fire Protection District. During a two-year long process, which involved firefighters, District leadership and the community, CCFR, the largest fire district in St. Charles County was born. Immediately following the consolidation, Mason was named Deputy Chief. Shortly thereafter, CCFR was named the Missouri Fire Department of the Year in 1998. Mason was promoted to his current position as Chief of the Fire District in 2003
“Chief Mason’s ongoing support of the State Fire Marshal’s office and his tireless efforts to promote the training of Missouri’s fire service responders will have an everlasting impact throughout the state of Missouri,” said Greg Carrell, Missouri’s acting state fire marshal.
Mason developed and implemented the State’s Fire Fighter Certification system while working for the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. As a part of that system, he developed Missouri’s first firefighter training manuals, its first state Fire Instructor, Inspector and Fire Officer I certification programs and a company officer driven training program. He has served on countless boards, associations and commissions including: serving as President of the Missouri Association of Career Fire Protection Districts, President of the Professional Fire & Fraud Investigators Association and Vice Chairman for the Missouri Fire Service Alliance. He was appointed to the Advisory Committee for 911 Service Oversight, Chair of the Missouri Fire & Ambulance District Insurance Trust Fund Board, and serves on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Investigator Qualifications and Certification & Accreditation committees. He also served on the committee to revise the Fire Investigation Curriculum for the National Fire Academy. Chief Mason has testified as an expert witness in the field of fire investigation in Missouri Associate Circuit Court, Circuit Court and United States Federal Court.
“This has been a difficult decision, but after nearly forty years of service, and many discussions with my family I realized the time had come to turn over the reins. I’m looking forward to retirement, spending more time with family, our new granddaughter and any new adventures that come our way,” says Mason. “It has been an honor to serve and protect our local residents, and I am fortunate to have had such wonderful fire service career.”
The CCFR Board is developing plans for the hiring of Mason’s replacement.