Chief Dan Malone, a revered figure in the firefighting community, has embarked on a new chapter as the Munising Fire Hall Historian, reflecting on his remarkable 50year career and transitioning into retirement. From battling blazes to preserving the rich history of firefighting in Munising, Chief Malone’s story is one of dedication, camaraderie, and lifelong commitment to public service.
Chief Malone’s journey in the fire service, ignited by his friend Dennis “Fuzzy” Boyak, began in 1972. “My good friend Dennis Boyak, Fuzzy, was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department,” Chief Malone recalled. “We bowled together, and he encouraged me to join the fire department. So I did, and that’s how I got my start.” Driven by a deep-seated desire to serve and protect his community, Chief Malone embraced firefighting as a calling and soon found himself enamored with both the adrenaline rush of firefighting and the friendship shared among fellow firefighters. This passion for service and brotherhood would shape his career for the next five decades. “It was a calling for me, and I fell in love with it,” Chief Malone explained. “There is the excitement of firefighting, but along with it is the camaraderie of being with fellow firefighters.”
Almost immediately after stepping into his role as a firefighter, Chief Malone’s leadership qualities began to emerge. “After being elected secretary-treasurer in 1976, I held that position for 22 consecutive oneyear terms,” he recounted. “Then, I was appointed assistant chief under John Dominick in 1997, and when John faced health issues, I took over as chief in 2003, serving in that role until my retirement.” Thus, Chief Malone’s journey from eager recruit to esteemed leader unfolded, guided by his steadfast commitment to service and his natural aptitude for leadership. Throughout the years, he assumed various roles, such as President of the UP Firefighters Associations (1993), President of Alger County Firefighters Associations (2013 – 2022), President of UP Chiefs Association (2014 – 2021), and recipient of the Michigan Association Fire Chiefs President’s Award (2017).
Recalling the early days of his firefighting career, Chief Malone emphasized the lack of formal training available. “Back when I started, there was no organized training through the state; you learned on the job from older firefighters,” he explained. “Later, they formed the Firefighters Training Council, developing a state training program with mandatory hours covering various fire fighting aspects. Volunteers, like us, had to complete that training and be certified by the state, similar to paid fire departments like those in New York City and Detroit.”
Chief Malone’s original plan to pursue a career as a history teacher veered off course after he graduated from university with a degree in American History. “I unexpectedly found myself filling in for my mother at the State of Michigan, who had recently retired. Her boss, a close friend, needed someone to step in temporarily until a permanent replacement could be found,” he said. “That temporary role eventually turned into a 32year career with the State.” Starting as an unemployment claims clerk, Chief Malone’s professional journey evolved over time, eventually leading him to the position of office manager at the Unemployment Office in Marquette.
Pondering on memorable incidents from his tenure, Chief Malone recalls the courthouse fire of 1978 as “the first major fire I was ever on.” Despite the magnitude of the blaze, Chief Malone emphasizes the collaborative effort required to contain it. “We had to call in Munising Township for help. They sprayed water on the high school and the Catholic church to prevent those from catching fire,” said Chief Malone.The 76-year old building was a complete loss.
Throughout his illustrious career, Chief Malone served alongside a dedicated group of firefighters, including stalwarts such as Tim Tiernan, Stan Gerou, Bob Cornish, Bill Cox, John Dominick, Tiny Tiernan, Paul Hase, and Frank Trombly. Pictured together here after the courthouse fire, they faced numerous challenges, from battling towering infernos to conducting daring rescues.
Chief Malone’s contributions to the Munising Fire Department (MFD) extended beyond firefighting, as he played a crucial role in modernizing the department. “When I first started, we didn’t have air packs,” said Chief Malone. “Shortly after I joined the department, we got air packs, which was probably one of the greatest advancements for the fire service.”
Over the span of 50 years, Chief Malone witnessed significant changes and improvements within the fire department. Reflecting on the evolution of equipment, Chief Malone recounted, “When I started, we used old hoses made of either canvas or double jacket (cotton rubber-lined hose) that had to hang down the fire hall tower to dry, otherwise, it would deteriorate and rot. Today, we use hoses made of kepler and nylon.” He also highlighted advancements in personal protective gear, noting, “Back then, you got a pair of rubber boots, a plastic hat, and a raincoat. Now, we have bunker turnout gear that’s fire retardant, offering much better protection than before.”
Chief Malone marveled at the progress made by the fire service over the decades. “Just seeing the progress the fire service has made over 50 years is amazing,” he remarked, from equipment upgrades to the construction of a new fire hall.
The Munising Fire Department made the transition to their current fire hall in 2010. Chief Malone emphasized the necessity of this move for future generations to understand the department’s history. “It was just time,” he explained. “We had outlived that building. It only had two stalls for apparatus.” As the fire service expanded and apparatus grew larger, the old fire hall became inadequate. Chief Malone recalled the challenges of maneuvering trucks in and out of the cramped space, highlighting the need for certified firefighters to navigate the vehicles safely. “If you can back that truck into the fire hall, you pass,” he quipped. The hazardous conditions of the old hall, located on the main highway, required firefighters to halt traffic while returning from calls, underscoring the urgency of the move to a more suitable facility.
Alongside dedicated firefighters like Ryan Anderson, Bromley Hall, and many others, Chief Malone led the department with distinction, instilling values of integrity, accountability, and teamwork.
Chief Ryan Anderson, who succeeded Chief Malone after retirement at the end of 2021 is now the current Fire Chief of the Munising Fire Department, noting Chief Malone’s influence on his life and career. “He is a great leader and mentor. I would not be the firefighter I am today without his guidance through the years,” said Chief Anderson. Anderson himself joined the MFD in 2004, after subbing for the department in 2003. Chief Malone was his sponsor.
Bromley Hall, a long-serving firefighter for close to two decades at the MFD, fondly remembers Chief Malone’s leadership style. “He was a very personable and likable guy. But he was very, very structured when it came to being inside those walls, being firefighters, about accountability,” said Hall. “And he held everybody to that accountability when you’re inside the halls.”
As the Munising Fire Hall Historian, Chief Malone has undertaken the monumental task of preserving the department’s rich history. Despite his professional commitments, Chief Malone’s passion for history remained steadfast, leading him to embrace the role of Munising Fire Hall Historian. His collection includes photographs and newspaper articles dating back to the inception of the MFD in 1882, along with other artifacts documenting the evolution of firefighting in Munising. Chief Malone has meticulously curated many of these photos into a historical journey for anyone who visits the fire hall today. The walls of the meeting room vividly narrate the story of the Munising Fire Department’s evolution over its 142 years, spanning three fire halls. They pay tribute to the generations of firefighters who have faithfully served their community and countless lives saved through their courageous efforts.
In retirement, Chief Malone has embraced a slower pace of life, enjoying time at his camp with his wife, Bunny, whom he married in 1970. Together, they raised two children, a boy Chip, and a girl Morgan. Today, they revel in the joys of being grandparents to four grandsons and cherish the moments spent with their growing family. Retirement has afforded Chief Malone the opportunity to reflect on the challenges he faced during his tenure as a firefighter, challenges he could not have navigated without the unwavering support of his family.
Reflecting on the importance of his support system, Chief Malone said, “One thing I did want to mention is it really helped having the buy-in from my wife and my kids, because you’re interrupted at the most inopportune times, you know?”
Indeed, the legacy of service extends to the next generation, with Chief Malone’s daughter, Morgan Malone Kienitz, and son-in-law, Terry Kienitz, carrying on the tradition. Morgan serves on the Women’s Auxiliary, following in the footsteps of her mother before her, while Terry serves as a firefighter, contributing to the safety and well-being of their community.
Chief Malone’s transition from firefighter to Munising Fire Hall Historian represents the culmination of a lifelong dedication to public service. Through his role as a historian, Chief Malone continues to honor the legacy of firefighting in Munising, ensuring that the contributions of firefighters past and present are remembered and celebrated.
Courtesy of Chief Dan Malone
