More Than A Firefighter is a series of video stories to give you an inside look at life as a CCFR professional firefighter/paramedic. It’s our hope in sharing them that you get to know us a little better and learn what drives each of us to work together to keep our community safe. Click here to watch.
Central County Fire & Rescue (CCFR) has promoted two team members. Jason Meinershagen is the District’s new Public Information Officer, and Jason Graff is the District’s newest engineer.
In the newly created role, Meinershagen is responsible for all community relations and communications, community risk reduction, fire and life safety education programs, community outreach activities, media relations and special events. He has been with the District for 21 years, moving up in the ranks from firefighter to engineer, to his current position. He is an active member of St. Louis Regional Urban Search and Rescue Team #1, and Central County Community Outreach. He holds technician-level qualifications in confined space, hazardous materials, rope, structural collapse, swift water and trench rescues.
Jason Graff, a 21-year veteran of the District, was promoted to engineer. As an engineer, he is responsible for driving and operating the fire truck during emergency situations. Graff is a state licensed EMT, rescue boat operator, and certified in hazardous materials response.
“Our area continues to grow in both residential and commercial development, which has increased the need for our community risk reduction programs and community outreach to keep our residents safe. This new position also allows us to reallocate staffing to expand our code enforcement and permitting efforts,” said CCFR Chief Dan Aubuchon.
“These two individuals are exemplary members of the CCFR team, and will be tremendous assets to our community in their new roles,” said Aubuchon.
Central County Fire & Rescue (CCFR) has promoted two team members and added a firefighter/paramedic to its ranks.
Eric Braatz, who has served the District since 1995, was promoted to the rank of captain of the B-shift at CCFR Fire Station #6 on Jungs Station Rd., after serving as an engineer for the past four years. Braatz is state-certified fire investigator and a licensed paramedic. He also possesses certifications in haz-mat operations and in rope rescue, as well as being qualified as a boat operator.
As a captain, he will be responsible for leading a three to four person engine company and serving as an incident commander in emergency situations. He will also coordinate, oversee and recommend training programs for his crew.
Jason Meinershagen, who has served the district since 1998, was promoted to the rank of engineer at CCFR Fire Station #1, on the western side of the District. He will work with the B-shift. Meinershagen previously served the St. Peters community as a firefighter/EMT. He is an active member of St. Louis Regional Urban Search and Rescue Team #1, and possesses technician-level qualifications in confined space, haz-mat, rope, structural collapse, swift water and trench rescue. He is also qualified as a boat operator.
In this new role, Meinershagen will be responsible for driving and operating the fire truck during emergency situations.
“We are thrilled to make these promotions to two incredibly deserving members of the team,” CCFR Assistant Chief Steve Brown says. “Eric and Jason have both dedicated more than two decades of their lives in service to the St. Peters community, and we’re honored they’ve chosen to make their careers with us here at CCFR.”
CCFR has also hired a new firefighter/paramedic to join its ranks. Robert Prest, a graduate of St. Charles West High School, has worked for the St. Louis City Fire Department since October 2016. Prest holds a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Lindenwood University and a master’s degree in health care administration from Lindenwood University. He started with the District in April on the C-shift. There are now 26 paramedic/firefighters on the CCFR team.
CCFR recently welcomed three new firefighter/paramedics to its ranks: Justin Gaffron, Kyle Handley and Robert Spencer. This marks another step forward in CCFR’s quest to enhance its capacity to provide advanced life support (ALS) emergency medical services to the St. Peters community.
Central County Fire & Rescue (CCFR) firefighter/paramedic Chris Jones has been promoted to Deputy Chief Instructor with the St. Louis County Fire Academy.
Continue reading “Chris Jones Named New Fire Academy Deputy Chief Instructor”
Central County Fire & Rescue (CCFR) congratulates Capt. Thomas Wylie and firefighter/paramedics Justin Crady and Kenton Rogers, who recently received fire safety commendation medals and certificates from the Fernando de Leyba Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution of Eastern Missouri.
Chapter president Marvin Koechig spoke at the organization’s January meeting about a call where Wylie, Crady and Rogers responded to a report of a cardiac arrest, successfully resuscitating the victim, who made a full recovery. Koechig said that the crews’ quick action saved the victim’s life, exemplifying the courage and dedication of first responders.
The Sons of the American Revolution is a historical, educational and patriotic nonprofit that seeks to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, patriotism and respect for our national symbols, including but not limited to promoting pride in being American citizens and the unifying force of e pluribus unum.
Congratulations again to Capt. Thomas Wylie, Justin Crady and Kenton Rogers!
Mid Rivers Newsmagazine recently took a few minutes to talk with our newest board member, David Bell. Take a look at what he had to say here: Random Thoughts: A Community Conversation with David Bell.
You can also learn more about David on our website here.
Central County Fire & Rescue is governed by a three-member publicly elected Board of Directions.
We’ve been busy celebrating four recent promotions at Central County Fire & Rescue (CCFR).
Engineers Brad Day and Allan Gacki
In this new role, Brad Day and Allan Gacki are responsible for driving and operating the fire truck during emergency situations.
Captains Don Shaffer and Jake Taylor
As captains, Don Shaffer and Jake Taylor are responsible for leading a three to four person engine company and serving as an incident commander in emergency situations. They also coordinates, oversees and recommends training programs for his crew.
Congratulations to you all on these much-deserved promotions, and thank you for all you do for CCFR and the community!
May 13. It is a day that Central County Fire & Rescue (CCFR) Assistant Chief Brian Ochs will never forget. Nearly 50 years ago, on May 13, 1969, two St. Charles Township Volunteer firefighters were tragically killed in a fire truck accident. On May 13, 2018, Ochs will honor these friends as he hangs up his gear one final time and retires from the fire service.
“I was supposed to be on that call in 1969, but I wasn’t. I have carried memories of that night with me for nearly 50 years, and it has guided me to make safety the top priority no matter what. Everyone needs to go home after every call,” says Ochs.
If you ask Ochs about his biggest accomplishment as an Assistant Chief, he replies with a simple statement, “Everybody went home,” he says.
“Brian has made an immeasurable impact on our community and our fire district. All of us here at Central County have learned so much from him and his experience in the fire service. We are going to miss having him here,” says CCFR Chief Dan Aubuchon.
When Ochs first joined the fire service as a volunteer in 1967, there were less than 100,000 residents in St. Charles County, and there was more farmland than neighborhoods and commercial development. He has seen the community and the fire service change dramatically over 51 years.
“The biggest single change I have seen is in how we communicate. We used to have a pager that told you where to go. Now, we have access to so much information before we even arrive on the scene, and we have the details we need to respond faster and more efficiently,” he says. “The training required and equipment we have access to has also changed dramatically.”
As the Assistant Chief of Operations Ochs is responsible for the daily and long-term management and staffing of suppression personnel. He is also responsible for buildings, apparatus and firefighting equipment and responds to all first alarm or special alarms within the fire district.
Born and raised in St. Charles, Ochs joined St. Charles Fire Protection District (SCFPD) as a junior firefighter in 1967. Before becoming Chief of SCFPD in 1990, he served as a police officer in St. Charles County as well as volunteer Chief of SCFPD. In 1998, after the consolidation of St. Charles Fire Protection District and St. Peters Fire Protection District, he became an Assistant Chief for Central County Fire and Rescue.
“You can’t do something for 51 years and just walk away. I’m going to miss all of it, but it’s time for someone else to have a chance to lead,” he says.
Ochs will be honored at a retirement luncheon on Friday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CCFR Fire Station #1, 1 Timberbrook Dr., St. Peters, MO 63376.
Central County Fire & Rescue’s newest board member, David Bell, is a proud St. Peters resident and an active member of the local community. He strives to be a beacon of hope and to make a difference.