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Congratulations Community Outreach Scholarship Winners!

O’Fallon Firefighters Community Outreach To Surprise Three High School Students With Scholarship Awards Monday

Fire trucks with lights and sirens arrived at three O’Fallon homes on Monday, May 4, but they weren’t there for an emergency. They were surprising three high school seniors with $1,200 scholarships.

The students were chosen from a pool of applicants from Fort Zumwalt North High School, Fort Zumwalt West High School, Christian High School, St. Dominic High School and Hope High School.

O’Fallon Firefighters Community Outreach streamed the check presentations live on their Facebook page facebook.com/ofallonfirefighterscommunityoutreach.

The scholarship recipients for 2020 were:

Matthew Lange, Fort Zumwalt West High School
Matthew Lange wants to make a difference as a first responder. Since the age of six, he has wanted to be a firefighter, but a few years ago, when he was unable to help his great grandfather during a medical emergency, he knew he had to become a first responder. Lange excelled academically in high school and his teachers noted that he stood out as a natural leader, who was always there to help others.

Roman Bishop, Fort Zumwalt North High School
Roman Bishop has his sights set on becoming an orthopedic surgeon. After overcoming two major sport injuries during his middle school and high school sports careers, he developed a desire to help future athletes overcome their injuries and get back to the sports they love. Bishop is a successful student academically, and his teachers describe him as having a strong work ethic and a passion for science. He is an active volunteer basketball referee for Upward Sports, and serves as a field manager for the River City Rascals.

Sara Harris, Hope High School
Sucide and depression are a daily struggle for many high school students. After Harris’s best friend passed away at the age of 16, she knew she wanted to do everything she could to help teens learn to cope and prevent them from feeling alone in this world. After graduation, she will work toward becoming a therapist where she can help teens who are struggling. Her teachers describe her as a hardworking, determined and self-motivated student who is always there for her peers.

O’Fallon Firefighters Community Outreach Scholarships

O’Fallon Firefighters Community Outreach offers an annual scholarship in the amount of $1,200 to a student from each of the five high schools (Fort Zumwalt North High School, Fort Zumwalt West High School, Christian High School, St. Dominic High School and Hope High School) in the O’Fallon Fire Protection District. The scholarship must be used for higher education in an accredited technical, trade, vocational or certificate-level program, or for a degree in the emergency services field. Proof of enrollment will be required for the scholarship to be awarded.

Eligibility
1. Must be a high school senior attending one of the above five high schools.
2. Dependents or children of O’Fallon Fire Protection District employees are ineligible.

Directions
1. Complete online application with all required documentation.
2. Upload two letters of recommendation from a non-relative.
3. Upload essay.
4. Deadline for submission is April 15, 2020.

Apply online!

 

 

 

Swift Water Rescue Saves Life

OFPD firefighters Doug Ellis and Matt Chapman along with Officer Jordan Wilmes were honored by the City of O'Fallon.
OFPD firefighters Doug Ellis and Matt Chapman along with Officer Jordan Wilmes were honored by the City of O’Fallon.

It was early January, rain was pouring down and temperatures were frigid when a car slid off the road into a swift-moving, quickly rising creek near the intersection of Bryan and Mexico roads. The driver escaped, but his father was trapped inside the vehicle, which was filling up with water. The father had suffered a head injury, and hypothermia was setting in.

When the call for help came in, first responders from O’Fallon Fire Protection District and the O’Fallon Missouri Police Department headed to the scene. Officer Jordan Wilmes arrived first.

On top of the man’s injuries, the rain was not letting up. The creek continued to rise. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the officer quickly jumped into the frigid creek and kept the victim’s head above water until firefighters arrived moments later.

Wilmes, alongside OFPD firefighters Doug Ellis and Matt Chapman, worked together in chest-deep water to safely get the victim out of the car. St. Charles County Ambulance District paramedics stabilized the victim and transferred him to the hospital. Moments after the rescue, the rising water overwhelmed the car, flipping it over and submerging it under water.

“We are committed to protecting our community and could not be prouder of the heroic efforts of these first responders that night,” OFPD Chief Tom Vineyard says. “Emergency response is a team effort, and we are fortunate to train with officers from the police department and paramedics from the ambulance district on a regular basis. This training makes it easier to step in and work together as a team in situations like these — it truly makes a lifesaving difference.”

Battalion Chief Mel Emge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is with profound sadness that the O’Fallon Fire Protection District announces the passing of Battalion Chief Melvin A. Emge. Battalion Chief Emge passed away on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 at the age of 61.

Battalion Chief Emge proudly served his community with compassion and dedication for 44 years. He was an esteemed member of IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) Local 2665 and FFAM (Fire Fighters Association of Missouri).

Battalion Chief Emge is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Katie and his son Tony.

Visitation will be held Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 from 1 to 8 p.m. at Pitman Funeral Home, 1545 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO 63385. There will be a Uniformed Firefighter walk-through at 7:15 p.m. Casket vigil honors will be afforded during the entire visitation.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, 403 North Main Street, O’Fallon, MO 63366. Burial will be at St. Paul Cemetery in St. Paul, MO.

Departments wishing to have apparatus participate in the procession, please contact Battalion Chief Rick Miller at 636-262-6448.

Andy Parrish Named O’Fallon Fire Protection District Firefighter of the Year

Battalion Chief Andy Parrish is the recipient of the 2019 O’Fallon Fire Protection District William F. Westoff Firefighter of the Year Award. Since joining the O’Fallon Fire Protection District in 1991 as a volunteer firefighter, Parrish has been a transformational member of the team. 

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