News

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. 

Continue reading “Andy Parrish Named O’Fallon Fire Protection District Firefighter of the Year” →

Santa Stops 2019

This December, Santa will be making visits to neighborhoods throughout O’Fallon Fire Protection District! You’ll know he is near when you hear the sirens on his truck. Below are the dates, times and locations for his scheduled stops. Please note: These are approximate times only. Times will vary depending on the number of people wishing to greet Santa at each stop.

Happy holidays!

Saturday, Dec. 7
Royallsprings, Spring Orchard, Kensington Place and Cherrywood Parc

  • Stop 1: Royall Meadows Court (6 p.m.)
  • Stop 2: Common Grounds Near 222 Royall Trail Lane (6:15 p.m.)
  • Stop 3: Golden Orchard Drive and Spring Orchard Drive (6:45 p.m.)
  • Stop 4: Cold Spring Drive and Spring Orchard Drive (7 p.m.)
  • Stop 5: Near 178 Christina Marie Drive (7:25 p.m.)
  • Stop 6: Near 212 Sassafras Parc Drive (7:40 p.m.)
  • Stop 7: Cherrywood Parc Drive and Red Cedar Parc Drive (8 p.m.)

Tuesday, Dec. 10
Forest Park, Diamond Point, Willow Run, Ashford Place, Deerfield, Strawberry Hill Estates and Sundance Gardens

  • Stop 1: Briscoe Avenue and Taylor Place (6 p.m.)
  • Stop 2: Allen Drive and Love Drive (6:20 p.m.)
  • Stop 3: Near 505 Price David Drive (6:40 p.m.)
  • Stop 4: St. Patrick Drive and Ronnie Drive (7 p.m.)
  • Stop 5: Aster Lane and Pepper Lane (7:20 p.m.)
  • Stop 6: Topaz Drive and Zircon Court (7:40 p.m.)
  • Stop 7: Ashford Place Drive and Begonia Drive (8 p.m.)
  • Stop 8: Geranium Drive and Deerfield Estates Drive (8:25 p.m.)

Saturday, Dec. 14
Twin Chimneys

  • Stop 1: Basswood Drive and Tanyard Court (6 p.m.)
  • Stop 2: Twin Chimneys Club House (6:20 p.m.)
  • Stop 3: Watsons Parrish Drive and Plank Road Court (6:40 p.m.)
  • Stop 4: Sweet Cider Lane and Honey Tree Court (7 p.m.)
  • Stop 5: Little Oaks Drive and Winding Stairway (7:20 p.m.)
  • Stop 6: Little Oaks Drive and Eads Court (7:40 p.m.)
  • Stop 7: May Wine Lane and Currier Place (8 p.m.)
  • Stop 8: Twin Chimneys School Entrance (8:20 p.m.)

Tuesday, Dec. 17 – CANCELED!
Riverdale, Royal Oaks and Cobblestone

The Santa Run scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 17 has been canceled due to hazardous road and sidewalk conditions. He will return to these same neighborhoods next year.

Saturday, Dec. 21
Coronation Heights, Autumn Oaks, Civic Park Estates, Saint Dominic Estates, Walden Pond and Manors of Deer Creek

  • Stop 1: Imperial Drive and Peace Drive (6 p.m.)
  • Stop 2: Near 746 Autumn Valley Drive (6:15 p.m.)
  • Stop 3: St. Gemma Drive and St. Elizabeth Court (6:30 p.m.)
  • Stop 4: Near 710 Longfellow Circle (7 p.m.)
  • Stop 5: St. Gemma Drive and Eliot Court (7:10 p.m.)
  • Stop 6: Obrecht Lane and Thoreau Blvd. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Stop 7: Soft Crossing Lane and Water View Lane (7:50 p.m.)
  • Stop 8: Foggy Meadow Drive and Deer Creek (8:10 p.m.)