The 17 fire protection districts and departments that cover Jefferson County and the city of Eureka vary widely in the size of the areas they cover, the number of people they employ and their annual budgets.
In total, the districts and departments cover approximately 702.52 square miles, with the Herculaneum Fire Department covering 4.5 square miles, the smallest area among the agencies. The De Soto Rural Fire Protection District covers 174 square miles, the largest area.
Altogether, the districts and departments employ approximately 463 people and have another 169 volunteer firefighters. The Crystal City Fire Department is the only agency that has no employees and relies strictly on volunteers. The Rock Community Fire Protection District has 78 employees, the largest number among all the agencies.
Rock Community Fire also has the largest annual budget among the agencies, at about $14,756,186, and Crystal City Fire has the smallest, at $400,000.
The Leader has surveyed all the districts and departments and is providing the following information so community members can get to know a little more about the firefighting agencies that work each day to protect them and their properties.
A quick look
Antonia Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: Approximately 36 square miles in Barnhart, Otto and portions of Imperial and House Springs. The number of structures in the coverage area was not available.
- Stations: House 2, 6633 Moss Hollow Road, Barnhart; House 3, 7138 Old Hwy. 21, Barnhart.
- Vehicle fleet: Three firetrucks, one brush-and-rescue squad vehicle and three command staff vehicles.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Frontline firetrucks replaced every seven to 10 years and reserve trucks about 20 years. The district is set to replace two command staff vehicles (2006 Chevrolet 2500 and 2017 Ford Explorer) and a 2002 firetruck by 2026.
- Employees: 23 full-time firefighters; six part-time firefighters; one staff member.
- Command staff: Chief Matt Krutzsch, Deputy Chief Bobby Chrisco, Battalion Chief Kevin Schnable, Battalion Chief Mike Nivens and Battalion Chief Kyle Schnable.
- Volunteer firefighters: None.
- Board members: Three, who are paid $100 per meeting and meet once a month. The chairman and treasurer receive additional $50 per meeting.
- Current board members: Chairman Greg Dohack, treasurer John Svoboda and member Mike Hennis.
- Pension: Has tax-supported plan.
- Annual budget: $2.9 million.
- Property tax levy: 90.34 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: 1/2 cent.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 1,355.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 886.
- How to contact district: Call 636-948-4433, email officemanager@antoniafire.com.
Cedar Hill Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: Approximately 82 square miles in the northwest portion of Jefferson County, with a mix of wooded areas, farmland, subdivisions, businesses, education facilities, several lakes and the Big River.
- Stations: House 1, 6766 Cedar Hill Road, Cedar Hill; House 2, 8800 Hwy. 30, Dittmer; House 3, 8790 Byrnesville Road, Cedar Hill.
- Vehicle fleet: Six firetrucks, three quick-response vehicles, one utility vehicle, one inflatable boat, one rigid-hull boat and two command staff vehicles.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Firetrucks replaced every 20 years, quick-response vehicles replaced every 10 years and staff vehicles replaced as needed; set to replace 2000 International Pierce Tanker with a 2024 Pierce Pumper and Tanker.
- Employees: 24 full-time staff members and 10 part-time staff members.
- Command Staff: Fire Chief Mick Fischer, Assistant Chief Dave Jones and battalion chiefs John Griffith, Robert Tucker and Matt Shuster.
- Volunteer firefighters: 20.
- Board members: Three, who are paid $100 per meeting and meet once a month.
- Current board members: Chairman Clifford King, vice chairman Mike Mattingly and treasurer Tom Scott.
- Pension: District has tax-supported plan.
- Annual budget: Approximately $2.8 million.
- Property tax levy: $1.2590 per $100 assessed valuation.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 1,452.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 906.
- How to contact district: Call 636-285-3345, through website cedarhillfire.com.
Crystal City Fire Department
- Coverage area: Approximately 5 square miles, including 1,900 homes and 550 commercial properties.
- Station: 131 Mississippi Ave., Crystal City.
- Vehicle fleet: Two 1000-gallon pumpers, one ladder truck, one brush truck, one boat, two pickups, one commercial van and one SUV.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Vehicles replaced every 10 to 12 years.
- Employees: No full-time employees, all volunteers.
- Command staff: Chief Tony Bova, Assistant Chief Mike Schrage and captains Patrick Friedmeyer, Michael Rhineberger and Ron Cartee.
- Volunteer firefighters: 32.
- Board members: Governed by Crystal City Council.
- Current board members: Not applicable.
- Pension: None.
- Annual budget: Approximately $400,000.
- Property tax levy: Not applicable. Department funded through city’s budget.
- Sales tax: Not applicable, Department funded through city’s budget.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 450.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: Not available.
- How to contact district: Call 636-937-1982.
De Soto Fire Department
- Coverage area: 6.4 square miles. The number of structures in the coverage area was not available.
- Stations: Station 1, 114 N. Second St.; Station 2, 1310 Public Works Drive (currently used for storage).
- Vehicle fleet: One pumper; one rescue pumper; one mini-pumper, one brush/manpower truck, one UTV, one chief’s vehicle and one duty staff vehicle.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: No vehicle rotation plan. The 2004 rescue pumper needs to be replaced.
- Employees: Eight full-time staff and four part-time staff.
- Command staff: Chief Tony Ochoa, captains James Coleman and Mike Zebas.
- Volunteer firefighters: 10, including two volunteer captains.
- Board members: Governed by City Council.
- Current board members: Not applicable.
- Pension: Missouri LAGERS retirement and a private retirement program through the city.
- Annual budget: Approximately $875,000.
- Property tax levy: Not applicable. Department funded through city’s budget.
- Sales tax: Not applicable. Department funded through city’s budget.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 811.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 563.
- How to contact the department: Call 636-586-3888.
De Soto Rural Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: 174 square miles in unincorporated portions of De Soto, Hillsboro, Festus, Blackwell, Valles Mines, Dittmer and Fletcher, which includes about 11,000 homes, 15 churches, two school complexes, four care facilities and 30 businesses.
- Stations: Staffed stations include Station 1, 201 E. Miller St., De Soto area; Station 2, 3610 Hwy. V at Valle Lake; and Station 3, 12545 Ware Road between Fletcher and Grandview. Unstaffed stations include Station 4/administration building, 3200 Flucom Road in De Soto area; Station 5, 14170 Hwy. 21, in De Soto area and Station 6, 10530 Hwy. WW, Dittmer.
- Vehicle fleet: Eight pumper/tankers, brush pumper, three brush trucks, six command vehicles, plow truck, service truck (for mechanic), rehab/cascade truck, three boats, one UTV, one rehab trailer and one technical rescue/hazmat trailer.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: No vehicle rotation plan and no immediate purchases planned.
- Employees: 19 full-time, nine part-time.
- Command staff: Chief Tom Fitzgerald, Assistant Chief Willie Coxwell (volunteer), Training Chief Robert Fitzgerald, Fire Marshal Gary Arnold, Chief of Administration John Scullin (volunteer) and Chief of Accreditation Jeff Broombaugh (volunteer).
- Volunteer firefighters: 33.
- Board members: Five, who are paid $100 per meeting and meet once a month.
- Current board members: Chairman Mark Mahn; vice chair Tammie Scullin; secretary Larry Bast; treasurer Joe Valle and vice treasurer Jaclyn Brown.
- Pension: Missouri LAGERS retirement funded by the district.
- Annual budget: Approximately $2.9 million.
- Property tax levy: $1.0475 per $100 assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: Not applicable.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 1,539.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 1,022.
- How to contact district: Call 636-586-2557, or through Facebook.
Dunklin Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: 22 square miles in Pevely, Horine and portions of Herculaneum and Barnhart, including 6,445 homes and 128 businesses.
- Stations: 1987 Hwy. Z, in Pevely.
- Vehicle fleet: Three firetrucks, two staff vehicles, one pickup and one inflatable boat.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: No replacement plan.
- Employees: Nine.
- Command staff: Chief Brad Williams and Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Michael McClain.
- Volunteer firefighters: 3.
- Board members: Three, who meet twice a month. Chairman receives $500 per month and other members receive $400 per month.
- Current board members: Chairman Gary J. McClain, vice chairman Danny G. Williams and Rickey D. Johnson Jr.
- Pension: No information provided.
- Annual budget: Approximately $1.8 million
- Property tax levy: 66.01 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: Not applicable.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 1,351.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 897.
- How to contact district: Call 636-475-7401 or 636-479-3797, email dfpd5900@gmail.com.
Eureka Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: Approximately 63 square miles in Eureka, Hoene Springs and portions of Wildwood and Pacific, including about 5,600 homes and 465 businesses.
- Stations: House 1, 4849 Hwy 109, Eureka; House 2, 1815 West Fifth St., Eureka; House 3, 3570 White Oak School Road, Eureka; Training Center 18765 Old Hwy 66., Pacific.
- Vehicle fleet: Four pumper trucks, two ladder trucks, two brush trucks, one utility/tow vehicle, two rigid hull boats, one inflatable boat, two UTVs with trailers, three ambulances and six staff vehicles.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Pumper trucks replaced every 10 years, ladder trucks replaced every 15 years and ambulances and staff vehicles every five years. The district is set to replace one pumper truck in 2025.
- Employees: 48 full-time firefighters, two administrative staff and three part-time administrative staff.
- Command staff: Chief Greg Brown, Assistant Chief Scott Barthelmass, Deputy Chief William Stamberger and Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Rich Pallarito.
- Volunteer firefighters: Approximately 10.
- Board members: Three, who are paid between $100 and $150 per meeting and meet twice a month.
- Current board members: Chairman Dr. Patrick Feder, secretary Greg Mathison and treasurer Charles Brown.
- Pension: Has tax-supported plan.
- Annual budget: Approximately $9.4 million
- Property tax levy: $1.2009 per $100 assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: None.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 3,028.
- Number of service calls from January-Sept. 19, 2024: 2,351.
- How to contact district: Call 636-938-5505, visit efpd.org.
Festus Fire Department
- Coverage area: 10 square miles in Festus and some areas in unincorporated Jefferson County. The number of structures in the coverage area was not available.
- Station: 212 N. Mill St., Festus.
- Vehicle fleet: Two pumper-rescue trucks, one 105-foot ladder truck, two staff vehicles and one support vehicle.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Replace trucks every 15 years.
- Employees: 11 full-time, 15 part-time.
- Command staff: Chief Jeff Broombaugh, Assistant Chief Chuck Boyer and Training Officer Shannon Peters.
- Volunteer firefighters: Five.
- Board members: Governed by City Council.
- Current board members: Not applicable.
- Pension: Funded by city’s budget.
- Annual budget: Approximately $1.6 million.
- Property tax levy: 18.92 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: 0.0035 of the municipal 1-cent public safety sales tax.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 1,637.
- Number of service calls from January-Aug. 8, 2024: 1,024.
- How to contact district: Call 636-937-7661.
Goldman Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: 35 square miles. Provides protection for approximately 5,000 homes and 15 commercial properties.
- Stations: House 1, 9001 Old Lemay Ferry Road, Hillsboro area; House 2 (a volunteer house), 7800 Hillsboro House Springs Road, Hillsboro area.
- Vehicle fleet: Two pumper/rescue trucks, one tanker, two brush trucks and one staff vehicle.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Trucks are replaced on a 10-15 year rotation. A pumper/rescue truck has been ordered to replace a 1995 pumper and is expected to be delivered in 2025.
- Employees: Seven employees.
- Command staff: Chief Curtis Peters.
- Volunteer firefighters: Six, with two active.
- Board members: Three board members, who are paid $50 per meeting and meet once a month.
- Current board members: Board president Marlyn Edmonds and members Jennifer Deckard and Joe Merklin.
- Pension: District funds a pension program.
- Annual budget: Approximately $924,000.
- Property tax levy: $1.1014 per $100 assessed valuation.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 480.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 313.
- How to contact district: Call 636-789-9841; email curtispeters@goldmanfire.com.
Hematite Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: 47 square miles in Hematite, Olympian Village and portions of unincorporated Festus and De Soto, including homes and small number of commercial structures.
- Stations: House 2, 3067 Meyer Road, Hematite; House 1, 3680 Hillsboro-Hematite Road, Hematite (only used for storage).
- Vehicle fleet: One pumper-tanker truck, one tanker truck, one rescue pumper truck, one brush truck and two pickups.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: The fleet is on a 20-year rotation. The 25-year-old tanker is due to be replaced, and the district has taken steps to make it happen.
- Employees: Four full-time employees, seven part-time firefighters.
- Command staff: Chief Robert Hipes Jr., Assistant Chief Scott Jones, Deputy Chief John Chartrand, Battalion Chief Brandon Ramsey, Capt. Josh Heath and lieutenants Cody Charleville and Jacob Cortez.
- Volunteer firefighters: 14.
- Board members: Three members, who are paid $50 per meeting and meet once a month.
- Current board members: President Larry Gebhardt, treasurer Jill Charleville and secretary Faith Townsend.
- Pension: Missouri LAGERS retirement plan.
- Annual budget: $650,000.
- Property tax levy: 68.87 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: Not applicable.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 840.
- Number of service calls from January-mid-August: 523.
- How to contact the district: Call 636-937-6898.
Herculaneum Fire Department
- Coverage area: 4.5 square miles including homes and 143 commercial properties.
- Station: 151 Riverview Plaza Drive.
- Vehicle fleet: Two pumper trucks, one brush truck, one staff vehicle, one UTV and one boat.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Replace pumper truck every 10 years and other vehicles as needed.
- Employees: 13 employees.
- Command staff: Fire Chief Kevin Baker, Assistant Chief Chris Baker and Capt. Scott Grupa.
- Volunteer firefighters: 9.
- Board members: Governed by Board of Aldermen.
- Current board members: Not applicable.
- Pension: Lagers funded through city budget.
- Annual budget: $459,000.
- Property tax levy: Not applicable. Department funded through city’s budget.
- Sales tax: 1-cent public safety sales tax shared with Police Department.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 517.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 256.
- How to contact district: Call 636-475-3080, email fire-rescue@cityofherculaneum.gov.
High Ridge Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: 52 square miles in High Ridge, Murphy, Byrnes Mill, Parkdale, Peaceful Village and portions of House Springs, Fenton and Eureka. The number of structures in the coverage area was not available.
- Stations: House 1, 2842 High Ridge Blvd., High Ridge; House 2, 1434 Gravois Road, Murphy; House 3, 4655 Hwy. W, Byrnes Mill; House 4, 4560 West Four Ridge Road, House Springs.
- Vehicle fleet: Four pumper trucks, one ladder truck, one tanker truck, three EMS/brush vehicles, one off-road brush vehicle, one inflatable boat and one rigid-bottom boat.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Firetrucks and vehicles approximately 20 years. District plans to replace one pumper truck in 2026.
- Employees: 30 full-time firefighters, one full-time mechanic, one full-time office manager, one full-time fire inspector/investigator and 14 part-time firefighters.
- Command staff: Chief John Barton, Assistant Fire Chief Robert Jaycox, Deputy Chief Michael Rees, Fire Marshal and Division Chief Ron Tisius.
- Board: Three, with chairperson paid $250 per meeting and other members $200 per meeting, and they meet twice a month.
- Current board members: Chairperson Carol Greife and members Bruce Williams and Gary Heskett.
- Pension: District has tax-supported plan.
- Annual budget: Approximately $7 million.
- Property tax levy: 87.09 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: 1/2 cent.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 3,100.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: Not available.
- How to contact district: Call 636-677-3371, website highridgefire.com.
Hillsboro Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: 44 square miles in Hillsboro and portions of unincorporated Hillsboro, De Soto and Festus, including about 3,500 homes, 300 businesses, the Jefferson College campus, Hillsboro R-3 School District buildings, multiple government buildings and churches.
- Stations: House 1, 120 Fifth St., Hillsboro; House 2, 5750 Hwy. B, Hillsboro area.
- Vehicle fleet: Three pumper trucks, two tanker trucks, two brush trucks, one inflatable boat, one ridgid-bottom jet boat, one UTV, a structural collapse/heavy rescue trailer, one pickup and two chief officer vehicles.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Pumpers and tankers every 20 years, brush trucks every 25-30 years, chief vehicles every 10 years, boats and UTVs as needed. Set to replace a ladder truck by 2026.
- Employees: 14 full-time firefighters, eight part-time firefighters.
- Command staff: Fire Chief Brian
- Gaudet and Deputy Fire Chief Jason Darian.
- Volunteers: 15.
- Board members: Three, unpaid and meet once a month.
- Current board members: President Gary Boyer, secretary Robert Brown and treasurer Matthew Woods.
- Pension: District has tax-supported plan.
- Annual budget: Approximately $1.9 million.
- Property tax rate: 82.12 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: 1/2 cent.
- Number of service calls for 2023: 1,447.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 955.
- How to contact district: Call 636-797-3619, website hillsborofire.org.
Jefferson R-7 Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: Approximately 50 square miles in unincorporated southeastern Jefferson County, including mostly homes and agricultural properties with some commercial and industrial buildings.
- Station: 13000 Hwy. TT, south of Festus.
- Vehicle fleet: Two pumpers, one pumper-tanker, one mini-pumper, one brush truck, three staff vehicles, one rigid-hull boat and one inflatable boat.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Pumper truck replaced every seven years with other vehicles on regular purchase plan.
- Employees: 10 full-time employees, 13 part-time employees.
- Command staff: Chief Mark Earls and captains Shawn Smallegan, Zach Smallegan, Cory Serini, David Linhorst and Rob Schrage.
- Volunteer firefighters: Six.
- Board members: Five, who are paid $100 per meeting and meet once a month.
- Current board members: Jeff Counts, Tracy Todd, Gerard Uhls, Jay Katzenberger and Daniel Wilkey.
- Pension: District has tax-supported plan.
- Annual budget: Approximately $1.131 million
- Property tax levy: 48.16 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
- Sales tax: None.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 913.
- Number of service calls from Jan. 1-Aug. 6: 550.
- How to contact district: Call 636-937-6878; email at info@jeffersonr7fire.org.
Mapaville Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: 14.2 square miles in central Jefferson County, including mostly residential homes, approximately 20 businesses, churches and one state school.
- Station: 3687 Plass Road near Mapaville.
- Vehicle fleet: Two pumper trucks, one tanker, one brush truck, one van and three chief officer vehicles.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: No current regular rotation plan. Plans to purchase mini-pumper to reduce use of pumper trucks.
- Employees: Four full-time staff members, 20 part-time firefighters, a part-time fire commissioner and a part-time assistant chief.
- Command staff: Fire Chief David Brown, Fire Commissioner Andrew Brown and Assistant Fire Chief Jay Wolk.
- Volunteer firefighters: Two.
- Board members: Five, who are paid $100 per meeting and meet once a month. The secretary/treasurer is paid an additional $1,250 per year.
- Current board members: Chairman Marvin Boehme, vice chairwoman Sherri Hensley, secretary/treasurer Annette Acre and directors Patsy Francis and Kevin Lacostelo.
- Pension: District will have tax-supported plan starting in January.
- Annual budget: Approximately $685,000.
- Property tax levy: 92.36 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
- Number of service calls in 2023: 483.
- Number of service calls from January-August 2024: 283.
- How to contact district: Call 636-937-6302; email dbrown@mapavillefpd.net.
Rock Community Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: Approximately 38 square miles in Arnold and Kimmswick and portions of Imperial and Barnhart, including residential homes in 50 percent of coverage area; commercial and industrial in 25 percent; and undeveloped land in 25 percent.
- Stations: House 1, 1553 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold; House 2, 1299 Imperial Main, Imperial; House 3, 3540 Lonedell Road, Arnold area; House 4, 3889 Miller Road, Arnold area; and House 5, 3749 Telegraph Road, Arnold.
- Vehicle fleet: Four firetrucks (one in reserve); three ladder trucks (one in reserve); one mini-pumper; one UTV; one SafeBoat; one johnboat; two inflatable boats; and 14 staff vehicles.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: Frontline firetrucks and ladder trucks cycled out every 15 years and replaced five years after being used in reserve; staff vehicles every eight to 10 years. One ladder truck and one firetruck are expected to be delivered in 2026.
- Employees: 63 firefighters; 15 support staff members.
- Command staff: Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle; Assistant Chief Charles Hill; division chiefs Matthew Ham, Michael Shafferkoetter and Patrick Smith; battalion chiefs William Flurry, Greg Heimos and Tommy Siebert and Fire Marshal Jeff DeLapp.
- Volunteer firefighters: None.
- Board members: Three, who are paid $200 per meeting and typically meet twice a month. The chairman receives additional $50 per meeting for up to two meetings a month, and the treasurer and secretary receive additional $83.33 per month. Board members are only paid for meetings not held in the same week, and the most the chairman may be paid each month is $900 and the most the treasurer and secretary may be paid each month is $883.33.
- Current Board of Directors: President Kenneth Baker, treasurer Daniel Meyer and secretary Edward Zimmermann.
- Pension: District has tax-supported plan.
- Annual budget: Approximately $14.7 million.
- Property tax levy: $1.2344 per $100 assessed valuation.
- Number service calls in 2023: 5,220.
- Number of service calls through August 2024: 5,400.
- How to contact district: Call 636-296-2211, website rockfire-rescue.org.
Saline Valley Fire Protection District
- Coverage area: Approximately 19 square miles in portions of unincorporated Fenton, Arnold, Imperial, High Ridge and House Springs, including 7,307 residential properties, 194 commercial properties and 116 agricultural properties.
- Stations: House 1, 1771 Springdale Blvd., unincorporated Fenton; House 2, 2198 Saline Road, unincorporated Fenton; House 3, 4535 Old Hwy. 21, Imperial.
- Vehicle fleet: Five firetrucks, three command vehicles, one fire marshal truck, one aluminum river boat, one inflatable boat, two pickups, one technical rescue trailer, one mobile generator, two emergency shelter trailers.
- Vehicle replacement cycle: 15 years for firetrucks. District has ordered new ladder truck to be delivered in 2025.
- Employees: 31 firefighters, three administrative officers, one office manager.
- Volunteer firefighters: six.
- Board of Director members: Five, who are paid $100 per meeting and meet once a month.
- Current Board of Directors: Larry Dean, Chris Holder, Ron Miller, Allen Lazzarini and Alan Leaderbrand.
- Pension: District has tax-supported plan.
- Annual budget: Approximately $5.2 million.
- Property tax levy: $1.4256 per $100 assessed valuation.
- Number service calls in 2023: 2,366.
- Number of service calls through August 2024: 1,467.
- How to contact district: Call 636-343-9300, email info@svfpd.com.
Read more stories in the fire district series:
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