Fire Suppression

The St. Louis Fire Department has 691 active firefighters and captains, 20  Battalion Chiefs, and four Deputy Chiefs. There are 36 front line fire suppression apparatus staffed by a minimum of four firefighters per apparatus. They are stationed at 30 fire houses around the city. The fire department can have a fire suppression apparatus to any block in the city within four minutes of being dispatched. The Fire Department's mission is to provide the highest possible fire, rescue and emergency medical services for the protection of life, property, commerce and the environment in the City of St. Louis.

Of the 36 front line fire suppression apparatus, 34 have pumping and aerial capabilities. The remaining two front line apparatus are heavy rescue squads. The squads carry tools and equipment to assist firefighters rescuing persons who are trapped in any situation; from auto accidents and elevators to burning or collapsed buildings.

All firefighters are trained in the latest fire suppression techniques, hazardous material recognition, medical first response and basic rescue techniques. A firefighter's base of knowledge must cover the areas of building construction, hydraulics, medical treatment, fire sprinkler design, safe driving practices and vehicle extrication techniques. Each one of these areas is continually changing with new research and technology utilized in the public and private sectors. A firefighter receives continuous training to keep him/her abreast of changes in these areas.

The Fire Department is broken down into three platoons, or "shifts". Each shift is 24 hours long and commanded by a Deputy Chief. The city is broken into six battalions or districts, each commanded by a Battalion Chief. Each battalion is made up of six companies. Each company consists of an apparatus staffed by a captain and a minimum of four firefighters.

"A" shift - Deputy Chief Brian Walsh

"B" shift - Acting Deputy Chief John Altmann

"C" shift - Deputy Chief Steven Kotraba

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This Page Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Mar-2008 10:02:42 CDT