The screams of a trapped resident was the first sound off-duty O’Fallon Fire Protection District (OFPD) firefighter/paramedic Matt Chapman heard when he arrived at a house fire on Wood Oaks Drive in unincorporated St. Charles County Tuesday morning around 6:30 a.m.
Continue reading “St. Charles County Resident Rescued From House Fire”
Learn how to add emergency contacts to your smartphone that can be accessed by first responders.
Joe McCune joined the O’Fallon Fire Protection District (OFPD) as a firefighter/paramedic in May 2022 after serving in the Missouri Air National Guard and gaining experience in a rural ambulance district and urban fire department. Continue reading “New Firefighter Spotlight: Joe McCune”
When Dave Lawton started in the fire service, he wanted to be a smokejumper, a specially trained firefighter who is the first to respond to remote wildfires. Then, he responded to a structure fire and found his true calling as a firefighter/paramedic. Continue reading “New Firefighter Spotlight: Dave Lawton”
Fans of the Ellen Show might recognize O’Fallon Fire Protection District firefighter/paramedic Cody Hughes, who appeared on the daytime talk show in 2020.
Hughes, who joined OFPD in January 2022, grew up watching his mom work as a 911 dispatcher and knew he wanted to follow her path into the emergency services field.
“I have always been drawn to the excitement of the job and being able to help others in need,” he says. “Some days are harder or busier than others, but we have a lot of fun and love what we do.
“Every day is different. You can plan some parts of the day, but you never know when a call is going to come or what kind of call you will receive. We prepare for everything and always do our best to come up with the best solutions.”
Public service has been a lifelong goal of firefighter/paramedic Parker Malensky, who grew up watching his brother work in the fire service.
Continue reading “New Firefighter Spotlight: Parker Malensky”
Firefighter/paramedic Jared Swafford was raised in the firehouse. The O’Fallon Fire Protection District firehouse, to be precise.
“I’ve been wanting to follow in my dad’s footsteps since I was little,” he says. “My dad has been a firefighter for 30ish years now. I have grown up in the firehouse and have known since the first grade this is the profession I want to do.
“I have always looked up to my dad because I have always wanted to be a firefighter just like him. Now to be able to accomplish that and be able to work with him is a very good feeling.”
Continue reading “New Firefighter Spotlight: Jared Swafford”