Metro West Fire Dist

Metro West Firefighters Community Outreach is proud to offer a $2,000 scholarship to support a local student as they take the next step in their education. This scholarship is available to high school seniors who live within the Metro West Fire Protection District and have been accepted to an accredited college, university, or technical trade school. Applications are due April 17, 2026. Learn more and apply at metrowest-fire.org/community-outr…. Metro West Firefighters Community Outreach is a nonprofit organization funded by the employees of the Metro West Fire Protection District. These funds support the community we serve beyond the emergency calls for which we respond daily. Do you know a student who could benefit from this opportunity? Please share this post and help us spread the word across our community. #YourLifeOurMission

Spring is a season of renewal, making it the perfect time to learn lifesaving skills. Join Metro West on Saturday, April 4 from 9:00 a.m. until noon for a community CPR class. You’ll learn CPR and how to use an AED through the American Heart Association. Register today at tinyurl.com/MetroWestCPR. #YourLifeOurMission

Metro West voters will see Proposition F on the April 7 ballot. The measure proposes replacing a portion of the district’s current property tax with a one percent sales tax. Under Missouri law, if the sales tax is approved, the district must provide a property tax reduction equivalent to 50% of the previous year’s sales tax revenue. If approved, this will take place in the budget following one full year of sales tax collections when the tax rate is set. For Metro West, that will be reflected in the 2028 property taxes levied at year-end. This change would shift part of the cost of funding fire and EMS services to a broader base, including people who work and shop in the community, rather than relying primarily on property taxes paid by residents. This funding would continue to support the training and equipment needed for firefighter/paramedics to respond to emergencies and provide medical care throughout the district. Residents can learn more about Proposition F by visiting metrowest-fire.org/propf and questions may be directed to propf@metrowest-fire.org. #YourLifeOurMission

Fire departments rarely respond to major emergencies alone. Through mutual aid partnerships, neighboring agencies work together to ensure the closest and most appropriate resources are available when someone calls 911. All this month, firefighters from Metro West will participate in live fire training with our neighbors at Monarch Fire Protection District and West County EMS & Fire Protection District. Training together at the Metro West training tower in Castlewood at Station 2 allows for practicing the same tactics, communication, and coordination relied on during real emergencies. By working side-by-side in realistic conditions, firefighter/paramedics from all three agencies build familiarity and trust which helps everyone operate seamlessly as one team when our community needs it most. #YourLifeOurMission

Metro West recently received a very thoughtful delivery from Parkway West Middle School students at @ParkwaySchools following their first-ever Day of Service. As part of the event, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Marissa Nauman and math teacher Amy House hosted two baking sessions where approximately 45 students from grades 6–8 prepared treats for local first responders. The students baked Brookies and Gooey Butter Cookies and wrote personal notes of appreciation to police officers and firefighters. Before the baking began, the students also spent time learning about the roles and responsibilities of first responders and how these professions serve the community. That conversation helped give the project even more meaning as the students worked together to prepare the treats and messages. We are grateful to the students and staff at Parkway West Middle School for thinking of our firefighter/paramedics. Acts of kindness like this remind us how fortunate we are to serve our community! #YourLifeOurMission

Metro West firefighter/paramedics respond daily to residents across every stage of life, including many in our community’s senior population who rely on timely, professional emergency care. Proposition F is a measure on the April 7 ballot that proposes replacing a portion of the district’s current property tax with a one percent sales tax. Under Missouri law, approval of the sales tax would require a corresponding property tax reduction. This approach is intended to modernize how emergency services are funded while continuing to provide the training, equipment, and resources firefighter/paramedics rely on to serve the Metro West community. #YourLifeOurMission

Recently, Metro West mechanics completed routine maintenance on the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) heavy rescue truck designated 40US3. This highly specialized vehicle is owned by the St. Louis Area Regional Response System (STARRS) and is a key component of the Regional USAR Team Task Force 3. Housed at Florissant Valley Fire Protection District, it is the only truck of its kind in St. Louis County and one of just five located across the greater St. Louis region. The vehicle serves as a mobile cache of specialized rescue equipment designed for complex incidents such as structural collapses. In many ways, it functions as a massive toolbox filled with the tools and resources technical rescue teams may need during large-scale rescue operations. This truck is truly a shared regional asset. Through partnerships like the Regional USAR Team, fire agencies work together to ensure these resources are available wherever they are needed most. When the call comes for a complex rescue, Metro West stands ready to deploy in support of our community and communities across the broader St. Louis region. #YourLifeOurMission

Each year, every length of fire hose at Metro West is tested to ensure it performs when called upon. During annual hose testing, crews inspect and pressurize the hose to confirm it can withstand the high pressures used during firefighting operations. The process helps identify wear, damage, or leaks before they become a problem on the fireground. It’s another way our firefighter/paramedics make sure the equipment they rely on is ready to perform when our community needs it most. #YourLifeOurMission

As you change your clocks for daylight saving time this weekend, take a moment to check your smoke alarms. Test each alarm in your home and replace the batteries if needed. Working smoke alarms provide an early warning during a fire and can make the difference in giving your family time to escape safely.#YourLifeOurMission

Metro West firefighter/paramedics bring dedication, training, and professionalism to every emergency response. This readiness relies on maintaining the training, equipment, and resources necessary to serve our community. Proposition F is a measure on the April 7 ballot which proposes a 1% sales tax in exchange for a property tax reduction. This approach would modernize how fire and EMS services are funded and is intended to better align funding with how our community uses services. #YourLifeOurMission

Congratulations to Police Chief Andrew Vaughn on being sworn in tonight as the next Chief of the Ellisville Police Department. Members of Metro West, including Fire Chief Brad Shelton, were honored to attend the ceremony and show support for our partners in law enforcement. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Chief Vaughn and the men and women of the Ellisville Police Department. Strong partnerships between fire and police agencies benefit the entire community we are both called to serve. #YourLifeOurMission

Metro West is pleased to offer a new, free and voluntary Home Safety Consultation Program for our community. This program helps residents identify potential fire and life safety hazards in their homes and provides guidance on simple steps to improve overall safety. Our fire inspectors will work alongside homeowners through awareness and prevention with a focus on education. During a consultation, common topics may include smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrical and heating safety, cooking and kitchen hazards, escape planning and general home safety concerns. Residents interested in scheduling a free home safety consultation can sign up online at metrowest-fire.org/home-safety-co…. Together with the community, we are helping make homes safer for everyone! #YourLifeOurMission

Metro West is committed to fiscal responsibility, long-term planning, and living within our means. Proposition F would modernize how fire and EMS services are funded while providing a property tax reduction. Learn more about how we plan ahead and protect your investment. #YourLifeOurMission

When smoke makes it impossible to see, thermal imaging cameras help firefighters locate hidden fire and potential victims quickly. #YourLifeOurMission

Operating an aerial ladder requires precise apparatus positioning, proper deployment of outriggers to stabilize the truck, constant monitoring of weight and angle limits, and coordinated communication between the engineer and firefighters working at height. Every movement is intentional. During this recent training exercise at our Metro West training tower, crews focused on the technical elements of aerial operations. From understanding hydraulic systems to mastering ladder placement for roof access or elevated rescues, these skills require repetition and attention to detail. Aerial ladders are critical tools for reaching upper floors, performing rescues, ventilating roofs, and delivering water from above during large fires. The confidence you see on scene is built here through disciplined training and a commitment to getting the details right. #YourLifeOurMission

As part of training for our new engineers, who are responsible for driving and operating our fire apparatus, they spent time in the shop with our mechanics getting an up-close look at the trucks they will be entrusted to operate. With one of our fire trucks lifted overhead, they were able to see the underside of the apparatus, ask questions, and better understand the systems which keep these complex machines running safely and reliably. This hands-on training strengthens our operations. The more our engineers understand the apparatus, the better they can identify issues early, operate the equipment effectively, and keep it response ready. It also highlights the critical role of our two full time mechanics. From routine maintenance and oil changes to major engine repairs, they service our entire fleet in house. This model saves tax dollars compared to premium truck repair centers and, just as importantly, gets our vehicles back in service faster. Operational readiness is never accidental. It is built on partnerships like this, where knowledge is shared and every member of the team plays a role in keeping Metro West ready to respond. #YourLifeOurMission

Proposition F is a measure on the April 7 ballot which proposes a 1% sales tax in exchange for a property tax reduction. This approach would modernize how fire and EMS services are funded and is intended to better align funding with how our community uses services. Fire Chief Brad Shelton explains further as we encourage our residents to learn more and stay informed ahead of Election Day. #YourLifeOurMission

Metro West’s Station 3 renovation has been recognized by Firehouse Magazine’s Station Design Awards as a Notable Renovation project, a distinction which highlights excellence in fire station design across the country. Completed in February 2024, the Wildwood facility was honored not simply for its updated spaces, but for the thoughtful planning, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility behind the project. One comment from a judge captured that balance perfectly by noting the $227-per-sq.-ft. cost, was “Amazing in these times!” Being recognized on a national stage affirms the district’s commitment to smart stewardship of tax dollars while continuing to provide high quality facilities that support our firefighter/paramedics and our community. #YourLifeOurMission

Last week, Metro West responded to a brush fire in Wildwood. While brush fires may not always involve structures, they present a unique set of challenges for firefighters. These incidents often occur in remote or wooded areas where access is limited, requiring crews to navigate narrow trails, steep terrain, and uneven ground while carrying equipment. Apparatus cannot always get close to the fire, which means hose lines, hand tools, and water must sometimes be carried in by hand. Brush fires also demand additional manpower. Fire can spread quickly through dry leaves, grass, and brush, especially with even a slight breeze. Crews must work to contain the fire’s perimeter, protect nearby homes or structures, and ensure hot spots are fully extinguished to prevent rekindling. It is physically demanding work that requires coordination, situational awareness, and constant communication. If you see smoke or fire in a wooded area, do not assume someone else has called. Report it immediately by dialing 911. Quick notification allows firefighters to respond early and keep a small fire from becoming a much larger one. #YourLifeOurMission

Metro West recently celebrated the retirement of Fire Inspector Kevin Glock with a retirement flag ceremony. This service is held the morning an individual comes off shift for the last time. Fire Chief Brad Shelton presented Kevin to fellow district members, family, and friends. Chief Shelton highlighted Kevin’s career and his impact on our community. Kevin then went person to person as kind words and hugs were shared. With everyone back at attention, the fire station flag was lowered by the Metro West Honor Guard before being presented to Kevin. Finally, a retirement announcement was broadcast over the radio by Central County Emergency 911. Kevin served the residents of this fire district for over 25 years and did so with endless enthusiasm. He was a staple in our community and an ambassador for the fire service to our residents. Metro West thanks Kevin for his service and wishes him the best in retirement. #YourLifeOurMission