St. Charles Fire Department

We cannot stress how important it is to have working smoke detectors. Luckily this young man was awake when the fire started and was able to call 911 for help. We are extremely proud of our crews and the quick actions of everyone one scene.

While this situation was caused by fireworks it can occur with any hot, discarded material. Never throw away BBQ charcoal or fireplace/fire pit embers without first wetting them down and ensuring they are cold.

Last night at approximately 2330 crews were dispatched for a report of a residential structure fire. Upon arrival one home was found to be well involved with a second residence catching fire as well. Crews began an aggressive attack and were able to bring the fire under control, however both homes suffered extensive damage. Both homes were occupied at the time of the incident and all residents and pets were able to evacuate safely. They did have working smoke detectors, ...although that was not what alerted the homeowners to the fire. Crews remained on scene until after 0300 this morning. The investigation revealed that the cause was firework debris that had been bagged up and placed outside the home, against the garage. Luckily everyone is safe and all of the residents involved maintained a positive attitude even in such a difficult circumstance. Please use this as a learning experiencefirework debris can remain hot enough to ignite for hours after use depending on the conditions. Do not ever place firework debris, fireplace embers or charcoal grill debris in a plastic container and do not store it in or near your home. SCFD was assisted by Central County Fire & Rescue Wentzville Fire Protection District Monarch Fire Protection District Pattonville Fire Protection District St. Charles County Ambulance District CCFR Rehab95.

Fireworks are only allowed in the City of St. Charles July 3 & 4 from 12 noon to 11pm. Please use caution when handling fireworks.

Heading out to enjoy a beautiful weekend by the water? Make sure you and your family are prepared with a properly fitted life jacket that is appropriate for your water activity. #StopTheDrownings #WaterSafety #PleaseWearIt

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *** At approximately 0020 this morning crews were dispatched to a report of a residential structure fire in the 900 block of Parkcrest Dr. The caller stated that he and another child were trapped in the home, on the second floor, unable to evacuate due to smoke conditions. 9450 arrived to find a 4 unit townhouse with heavy smoke coming from the first floor of one of the center units. They immediately went to the rear of the residence and laddered th...e second story. 9450s crew was able to rescue both children from a second story bedroom window within 2 minutes of arriving on scene. The next arriving crews made entry to the residence and quickly extinguished the fire. The investigation is still ongoing, but the fire is believed to have started in a trash can located in the downstairs bathroom. While there was limited fire damage, the building did sustain significant smoke damage. Both children, ages 8 and 14, were transported to Children’s Hospital in stable condition. They were home alone at the time of the fire. Due to the quick actions of first arriving crews this incident had a positive outcome. This is a reminder that working smoke detectors, having an escape plan and knowing how to contact 911 in an emergency are so important. SCFD was assisted by Central County Fire & Rescue, St. Charles County Ambulance District, St. Charles Police Department as well as CCFR Rehab95.

Think life jackets aren’t for you? Think again! 86% of reported drownings occur when the person isn’t wearing a life jacket. Life Jacket Worn Nobody Mourns. #StopTheDrownings #WaterSafety #PleaseWearIt

June is PTSD Awareness Month. We take PTSD very serious here at SCFD. Mark Jones, SCFD Firefighter & President of IAFF Local 757 along with Captain Dave Seithel and Valerie Beason (Valerie Beason Counseling Services, LLC) held a training class bringing PTSD awareness to our SCFD team. They shared the signs to look for in ourselves and in one another and shared helpful resources. We are always here looking out for one another.

It is often said that firefighting runs in the family. That could not be more true here at SCFD. We have 15 employees that are either 2nd or 3rd generation firefighters. We thought it would be fitting to honor those dads this Father's Day and say thank you for leading by example and introducing us to the greatest job in the world! Happy Father's Day to our fire dads and all the special father figures out there! We hope you enjoy your day! Here are a just a few of our father, son/daughter firefighters.

Crews are on scene of a working structure fire in the 2500 block of Falcons Way.Crews are on scene of a working structure fire in the 2500 block of Falcons Way.

The pool is a great way to beat the heat, but be sure to keep a close eye on little ones!

Our thoughts are with Firefighter Heard’s friends and family as well as our brothers and sisters at St. Louis Fire Department. Rest easy brother.

Press Release - For More Information Contact Deputy Chief Steve Brown at 636.541.5869 Sprinkler System Saves Large Warehouse in Saint Charles ... (Saint Charles, MO) February 2, 2021 at approximately 8:32 pm Monday evening, Saint Charles City firefighters responded to a report of a fire in a large warehouse in the Fountain Lakes Industrial Complex north of Highway 370. Upon arrival crews found the building full of smoke and a fire located in the center of the large distribution facility. The fire was contained to several pallets of product by the built in fire suppression system. Firefighters deployed additional fire attack lines to extinguish the flames and ventilated the building to remove the heavy smoke. Approximately 15 employees were in the building at the time of the fire and all escaped unharmed. Investigators with the Saint Charles Fire and Police Departments are currently working to determine the cause of the fire. If not for the built-in fire suppression system this building and its entire contents would have been a total loss which is estimated at $15 million, stated Fire Chief George Sheets. Saint Charles City firefighters were assisted by Central County Fire and Rescue, and the St. Charles County Ambulance District. Please contact the Saint Charles City Fire Department at 636-949-3250 for further information on home fire safety.

Crews are on the scene of a commercial warehouse fire on Fountain Lakes Industrial Dr. Smoke and sprinkler activation found upon arrival.Crews are on the scene of a commercial warehouse fire on Fountain Lakes Industrial Dr. Smoke and sprinkler activation found upon arrival.

Today we remember our friend and colleague Doug Self Haase.

Our newest recruit will be out and about on 9422 today. Even Santa’s elves want to be firefighters when they grown up!

CONGRATULATIONS to John Barton on his promotion as Captain. Cheers, John!

CONGRATULATIONS to Aaron Burlingame on his promotion to Battalion Chief. Pictured from left to right are EMS Chief Marc Doll, newly retired Battalion Chief Tim Wersching, Aaron Burlingame, Fire Chief George Sheets presenting Aaron with his new badge, retired Deputy Chief Mike Grzyb and our new Deputy Chief Steve Brown.

We caught him making a quick call to Santa...he added the ambulance crew to the nice list!

We have had many retirees and promotions this year! Today, let's give it up for John Gordon who has been promoted to Engineer! Congratulations John and thank you for all that you do! (Pictured from left to right: Battalion Chief Jamie Young, EMS Bureau Chief Marc Doll, Deputy Chief Steve Brown, Engineer John Gordon and Fire Chief George Sheets)

We are excited to have our newly appointed Deputy Chief Steve Brown receive his official badge today. This first picture shows Fire Chief George Sheets presenting Steve with his new badge. Also pictured to Steve's left is our soon to be retired Deputy Chief Mike Grzyb and our EMS Bureau Chief Marc Doll. What we have here is 148 years of combined experience with this group of gentlemen. Thank you guys for all you do! Welcome and congratulations to Deputy Chief Steve Brown.

We hope that you have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Building toys for a living makes him qualified to be working on the firetruck right?!

A big shout out to these gentlemen celebrating their years of service with us. Thank you for all you do and Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe~ Kirby Schneider -21 years Brian Strubberg -13 years Eric Strasser -1 year (no pic available)

Join us in CONGRATULATING the following Fire Department personnel promotions~ Matt Hofer to Engineer David Seithel to Captain Roger Wood to Engineer... Keep up the great work and thank you gentlemen for all you do!

The City of Saint Charles Fire Department announces the selection of Steven Brown, a 38-year veteran of the fire service, as the departments' next Deputy Chief of Operations. The application and selection process involved several members of the fire department, City Administration and other evaluators. We are thrilled and pleased that Steve will be joining our exceptional organization. He brings tremendous experience and extensive management skills and is highly recognized... as a progressive leader in the fire service, said George Sheets, Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services for the City of Saint Charles. Brown began his career in 1982 as a volunteer firefighter with the Saint Peters Fire Protection District and became a fulltime firefighter in 1984. Upon the consolidation of the Saint Peters Fire Protection District and Saint Charles Fire Protection District in 1998, Steve became the Assistant Chief of Prevention for the newer formed Central County Fire Protection District. I couldn’t be more impressed with the professionalism of the Saint Charles Fire Department, and the talent within its ranks, Brown stated. This is a top notch organization that embodies teamwork, service and a sense of family; three things in which I believe in very strongly. Brown holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Maryville University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Lindenwood University. He is married with two grown daughters.

The City of Saint Charles Deputy Fire Chief announces his retirement after nearly 40-years of service with the City. Deputy Chief Michael Grzyb has served as the Deputy Chief for the last five years and will retire effective December 31, 2020. Deputy Chief Grzyb’s numerous contributions to the city are invaluable, said Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services George Sheets. Time and time again he has proven to be the right leader. During his time as Deputy Chief, he ...has led by example with the spirt of excellence and advancing the department to new heights. Mike is a servant leader whose stewardship resulted in the betterment of our community. The investment he made in our people and facilities will be evident for years to come. Grzyb has served in every rank in the department including a stint as Interim Chief. While I look forward to spending more time with my family, I will always treasure the days where I was involved in what can only be described as the greatest job in the world said Grzyb. No fire department can succeed by itself. The support from the firefighters, the Fire Chief, City Administration as well as the residents of the City of Saint Charles has been the foundation of the department’s continued success. As my career with the Saint Charles Fire Department comes to an end, I leave with the confidence that the department will continue to be led by dedicated, motivated and professional leaders. The recruitment for Grzyb’s successor is already underway. An announcement will be forthcoming.