Jefferson County (MO) Fire Fighters Association

A potentially catastrophic fire occurred in Crystal City, Missouri on July 6, 1966. CRYSTAL TIRE COMPANY BUILDING DESTROYED BY FIRE On July 6, 1966, the Crystal City Fire Department received mutual aid assistance from the Herculaneum, Festus, DeSoto, Hillsboro, Rock Community, Pevely Valley and Horine fire departments for an explosion and fire at the Crystal Tire Company on US Highway 61-67. The fire began at 10:30 am with the temperature at the time of the fire being 98 deg...rees. The fire started when fumes from a half-loaded gasoline tanker (1,700 gallons) at the C.E.S. Truck Lines next to the tire company was ignited. It was believed to have been ignited by either a spark from the pump on the tanker or an air compressor inside the tire company. After the explosion that rocked buildings two blocks away, the fire threatened the entire area due to the involvement of the gasoline tanker. Firefighters at first tried to tow the gasoline tanker away from the fire. The flames reaching up from under the burning vehicle had melted various plastic fittings in the cab. Two volunteer firefighters, Jim Evans of the Herculaneum Fire Department and Assistant Chief Steve Siracusa of the Crystal City Fire Department, climbed into the flame-licked cab and drove it clear of the building. Assistant Chief Siracusa climbed into the cab but found the gear system unfamiliar to him. Firefighter Evans climbed on the running board and instructed Siracusa how to operate the truck. As firefighters played hoses on the two men, they were able to move the truck 100 feet from the building and averted a potential catastrophe had the tanker exploded.

The Jefferson County Firefighters Association is tentatively scheduling the 27th Annual Jeffco Fire Engine Rally for Saturday, September 25, 2021. The annual rally will be held at the Herculaneum City Park from 9:00 am (parade) to 3:00 pm. The rally will be held on this date provided Jefferson County remains in the yellow level for the Covid-19 pandemic and CDC guidelines permit a festival type event. Watch this page for updates and more information about the 27th Rally.... Also visit the rally web site for truck registrations, competition registrations and vendor applications. www.jeffcofireenginerally.com

In the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri 10th Annual Convention booklet, each Jefferson County fire department was asked to place a photo of their apparatus in the booklet. Here are the final two: Rock Community and Shady Valley

The Jefferson County Firefighters Association will meet this Thursday, March 11 at the Herculaneum Fire Department, 151 Riverview Plaza at 7:00 pm. Main topic of discussion will be the 27th Jeffco Fire Engine Rally. All members of Jeffco are invited to attend.