The 31st annual Jeffco Fire Engine Rally drew a good crowd of first responders and attendees from a wide area, but organizers feel they can do even better.
The 2025 version of the event that offers attendees the chance to look at – and in many instances climb into – fire and other emergency vehicles took place Sept. 27 at William C. Haggard Park in Herculaneum.
As usual, a parade of emergency response vehicles kicked off the festivities. The parade traveled on Truman Boulevard (Hwy. 61-67) north from St. Pius X High School in Crystal City to Haggard Park.
Many parade participants then parked their vehicles in the park, where attendees could see those up close. Activities included recognition of Jefferson County Firefighters Association members who died in the past year, the presentation of awards for firefighters and other emergency responders and apparatus awards.
The Jefferson County Firefighters Association sponsors the event for firefighters and other emergency responders and invites members of the community to attend for free.
“It went very well,” said Chris Baker, a member of the association. “The weather was beautiful. The crowd was good. I think everybody enjoyed themselves.”
Baker said the attendance was solid for the event. Last year, crowds were down due to storms that soaked the park grounds.
“I would say probably between 800 to 1,000 people, estimated, came through,” he said. “I would call it an average year. It wasn’t a bigger crowd. It wasn’t a lower crowd. It was definitely bigger than last year when we had the remnants of a hurricane coming through.”
He said the number of first responder vehicles was down a bit.
“We had about 30 firetrucks and ambulances and stuff like that,” he said. “It was a little lower than times past. So, we’re going to have to work on that next year and get the word out better.
“(The late Bill Haggard) used to take charge of all that, notifying them. But, we still had good participation. Most of the county departments came and participated in the parade. Some stayed.”
He said that several vendors sold firefighting-related items.
“We had a couple of farmers markets there,” Baker said. “We had a bunch of food vendors there this time. I would say we had close to 40 vendors.”
The High Ridge Fire Protection District demonstrated vehicle extraction, substituting for another planned activity.
“We advertised a propane burn, but we couldn’t get that done,” Baker said. “Last minute we moved it to a vehicle extraction. But, with the great work of (Hillsboro Fire Chief) Brian Gaudet and the Jefferson County Training Academy, he got us the demo. The High Ridge Fire Protection District did the demonstration, so we greatly appreciate their participation and helping out with that.”
Baker said the 2026 Jeffco Fire Engine Rally will take place as usual on the fourth Saturday of September, which will be Sept. 26, 2026.
Below are the awards and honors given out during the rally.
Parade
■ Grand Marshal - Chuck and Kathy Kneff
■ Junior Grand Marshal - Ah’Miya (Miya) Patrick
EMS Lifesavings
■ Danny Parker - Rock Township Ambulance District
■ Elizabeth Crump - Rock Township Ambulance District
EMS Department of the year
■ Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District (JPAD)
Fire Department of the year
■ Rock Community Fire Protection District
Apparatus awards
■ Farthest Traveled - Gordonville (Ill.) Fire Department
■ Best Lettering / Detail - Herculaneum Fire Department
■ Best Overall Antique - O’Fallon Fire Protection District
■ Best Overall Rescue Apparatus - Cedar Hill Fire Protection District
■ Best Overall Current Apparatus - Crystal City Fire Department
■ Best Overall Ground Cover Apparatus - Jefferson R-7 Fire Protection District
■ Best Overall EMS Apparatus - Rock Township Ambulance District
■ Best Aerial Apparatus - Lincoln County Fire Protection District
■ Best Pumper Apparatus - Herculaneum Fire Department
■ Best Tanker Apparatus - Hematite Fire Protection District
■ Oldest Apparatus in Service - Rock Community Fire Protection District
■ Heritage Apparatus Award - Sentinel Engine 74
■ Judges Award - Affton Fire Protection District