It is my pleasure to welcome you to the City of Merced Fire Department website; a valuable resource for the residents and business community.

Our Department’s Vision:  “The City of Merced Fire Department is a progressive organization unified in creating a safe and secure community” provides the foundation as we go about our daily responsibilities of providing 24/7 rapid response and superior service to all types of emergency and non-emergency calls for service.  Our goal has always been to prevent the tragedy from happening rather than responding to it after it has occurred. 

Our Department’s motto is “Proudly serving since 1873.”  As Fire Chief, I have the privilege to serve a great community and work alongside some of the most talented individuals in the fire service.   I have watched time and again members of our Fire Department put themselves at risk to protect lives, while performing acts of kindness and compassion. The statement: “I was just doing my job” is a routine quote from them and I am very proud each time I hear it. 

We are proud of the extensive fire prevention and safety education programs that we have been able to provide to the community.  Business inspections and other safety programs encompass the entire City and keep our community a safe place in which to live and work.

In closing, our promise to the City of Merced is that we will strive to maintain our level of superior customer service and will always be prepared to respond to your needs day or night with professionalism, compassion, and respect regardless of the situation you may find yourself in.

Please let us know how we are doing in meeting your expectations.

Respectfully,

Michael W. McLaughlin, Fire Chief

About Fire Chief Michael W. McLaughlin

Fire Chief McLaughlin began his fire service career in 1988, as a Reserve Firefighter with the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Protection District. In May 1991, Chief McLaughlin was hired as a Firefighter/Paramedic by the South Lake County Fire Protection District in Middletown, CA. On December 15, 1993 Chief McLaughlin was hired by the Lawrence Livermore Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Chief McLaughlin promoted through the ranks to become the Assistant Fire Chief. In May 2007, Chief McLaughlin began working for the Merced Fire Department as a Division Chief. On February 27, 2011 Chief McLaughlin was appointed as the fourth paid fire chief for the City of Merced Fire Department. Prior to becoming a Firefighter, Chief McLaughlin worked as a Paramedic in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. He was instrumental in the creation and growth of the South Lake County and Lawrence Livermore Paramedic Programs.

Chief McLaughlin has an Associates’ Degree in Fire Technology from Yuba College; received his Paramedic training from Western Institute for Pre-Hospital Care; and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Department Administration. He is also a certified Executive Fire Officer from the National Fire Academy.

Chief McLaughlin currently serves as a technical reviewer for the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), and is an active member of the California Incident Command Certification System (CICCS) Task Force.