MONARCH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
PRST STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
St. Louis, MO
Permit NO. 1175
13725 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017-2601
If you received this mailing, you live in the
Monarch Fire Protection District.
MONARCH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
“Serving Ballwin, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Wildwood and portions of unincorporated St. Louis County.”
g
n
i
n
t
Ligh
y
t
e
f
a
S
A Letter From Your Board
Monarch has recently earned an Insurance Standards Organization
(ISO) rating which places it in the top 10 percent of all fire departments
in the country. The ISO is the entity that most insurance companies
rely on to calculate the risk for homes and businesses. Businesses
and homeowner insurance rates are usually determined using a
combination of calculations that include fire or other disaster that
would cause a claim for loss to life and/or property. The risk is reduced
when fire hydrants are plentiful, fire stations are strategically located,
firefighting equipment is well-maintained and up-to-date and personnel
are well trained. The effect on insurance rates for businesses is more
pronounced than for homeowners, but regardless of whether you live
or work here, the service provided in the Monarch Fire Protection
District is rated among the best in the United States. This means you
are in a community where superior fire and EMS service are there to
protect you, your family and your property.
See page 2
“Serving Ballwin, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Wildwood and portions of unincorporated St. Louis County.”
Promotions
while expenses continue to creep up. The Committee met monthly
for six months before delivering their recommendations to the Board
in June. Members included three citizens picked by members of the
Board, two firefighter/paramedics and three of the District’s chief
officers. Discussions were lively and each member worked diligently
to grasp the needs of the District in order to balance them against the
revenues that are expected to be received. The result is a perspective
of the priorities of our residents and a tangible set of ideas the Board
will use to help set the Budget by the end of September. A public
hearing on the tax rate and budget will be held during late September,
with the exact date to be published as required by law (you may find
it at www.monarchfpd.org by mid-August).
New Hires
Many citizens are aware the District was party to a lawsuit in Federal
Court concerning an auditor’s disclosure and improper retention of
personal and protected health information of employees of the Fire
District and their dependents (no citizens health information was
involved in this matter). The Board is pleased to report it has prevailed
in this action and has been able to recover the sensitive documents.
While costly, the Board was compelled to take this action in order
to safeguard the privacy of our employees and their dependents and
protect the District from undesirable and potentially costly, liability.
The District is currently seeking to recover the legal costs involved in
this necessary action.
In December, 2009, Board President Rick Gans called for the
formation of a committee to review the District’s finances and make
recommendations about the 2011 to 2013 budgets. Like many
government agencies, the District is facing flat or declining revenue,
The Monarch Fire Protection District recently hired 4 Firefighter/
Paramedics: Joey Newton, Derek Hanley, Jeffrey Burle and Justin Perkins. Also pictured: Chief Biele, Directors Kim Evans, Rick Gans
and Robin Harris.
How to Reach Us:
The Monarch Fire Protection District recently promoted Firefighter/Paramedics
Dana Buckley and Dan Hinson to Engineer. Also pictured: Chief Biele, Directors
Kim Evans, Rick Gans and Robin Harris. Not pictured: Dana Buckley.
The Monarch Fire Protection District recently promoted Eugene Weiss to Captain.
Also pictured: Director Kim Evans, Chief Biele, Directors Rick Gans and
Robin Harris.
Mission Statement - The mission of the Monarch Fire Protection District is to provide the highest quality emergency services
to the community through fire rescue and emergency medical services, fire prevention and education. We will maintain the highest
standard through experience, education and planning. Our Commitment extends beyond the traditional role of the fire service to
improve the safety and quality of life for all.
Please visit our website @ WWW.MONARCHFPD.ORG to obtain more information regarding board
meeting dates & times; public education; and special events.
Summer 2010
Page 4
Rick Gans / President
Kim Evans / Treasurer
Robin Harris / Secretary
Clifford “Chip” Biele / Chief
314.514.0900 x361
[email protected]
314.514.0900 x305
[email protected]
314.514.0900 x360
[email protected]
314.514.0900
[email protected]
Summer 2010
www.monarchfpd.org
Page 1
Lightning Information and Safety Tips
Fire Fighters, Pet Mask Save Dog’s Life
The Monarch Fire Protection District’s crew 2242 recently used some
ingenuity to rescue a dog stuck 9 feet down an abandoned, dry well.
The crew was also able to use a new pet oxygen mask to save the
dog’s life. These masks had only recently been added to all Monarch
fire trucks.
After the dog was rescued, Hartmann administered medical attention
to the dog, providing oxygen with the fire district’s new McColloch
O2 pet mask. Monarch Board President Rick Gans and his wife Lisa
recently donated money for the purchase of the masks specifically
designed for use on people’s pets.
On July 6th, the Monarch House 4 crew of Captain Sean Porter,
Firefighter/Paramedic Dave Hartmann and Firefighter/EMT Ken
Hansel rescued a 14-year-old, 55 pound standard poodle from the
dry, abandoned well in Chesterfield. The dog had not been seen since
5:30 p.m. While searching for the dog, around 9:30 p.m., the family’s
daughter heard a bark coming from an open common area in their
Green Trails subdivision and discovered that the dog had fallen into
the well, which was covered with debris and brush.
“Lightning Can Strike
Up To 10 Miles
From Rainfall”
“New Pet Oxygen Mask”
The family who resides in the 14000 block of Trailtop Drive called
9-1-1. Within minutes, the crew was on the scene and proceeded
to use their creativity and resourcefulness to extricate the dog. The
well was approximately 2.5 feet in diameter and the first 3 feet of
wall consisted of concrete and large, irregular stones. Below that,
the wall was comprised of dirt. The rescue crew said the dog’s hind
legs appeared partially covered in dirt, likely as a result of the dog’s
attempt to get out.
The rescue crew fashioned a harness from 1-inch webbing and then
Hartmann used a 12-foot pike pole to position the harness behind the
dog’s fore legs and chest. Hartmann, Hansel and Monarch Explorer
Ben Evans then raised the dog out of the well.
Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall, so
don’t wait for the rain to start before you seek shelter. If you can hear
thunder, you are within the range of lightning. Because lightning
can travel sideways for up to 10 miles, you could be struck by
lightning, even though the sky is blue above you. Ten percent of
lightning occurs without clouds overhead in the sky. Use the 30-30
rule. When you see lightning, count the seconds until you hear the
thunder. If it is 30 seconds or less, you are close enough to be in
danger. After the storm, wait 30 minutes before leaving shelter.
A good way to add protection to your home is to install lightning
rods. These rods are connected together and to a cable that runs
down the side of the house and connects to a long rod driven into
the ground. Because they stand taller than the roof, the lightning
strikes them, which takes the current down around the outside of
the house, to ground, rather than through the electrical wiring and
plumbing pipes inside the house.
If your house is struck, call 911 and report it. Our personnel will
check your home to see if there is any fire, or damage that could
cause a fire.
Basement Bedrooms
Explorer Ben Evans, Firefighter/EMT Ken Hansel,
Firefighter/Paramedic David Hartmann, Captain Sean Porter
Lightning Information and Safety Tips
Every year we have several lightning strikes that result in fires and
this year is no exception. In spite of this, a house is a good place
to seek shelter during a thunderstorm. Lightning typically enters
the house through one of three ways: directly striking
the house, traveling through the house via the pipes
and wiring, or through the ground. A house is better
than a garage or barn, because the electrical wiring and
the plumbing pipes can carry the current from where
it strikes, to the ground. Picnic shelters and bleachers
provide no protection.
During a thunderstorm, do not use corded phones – this
is the leading cause of indoor injuries from lightning.
Stay away from windows and doors. It’s OK to go to the
basement, but stay away from the washer & dryer, because
they are connected to the plumbing and wiring
systems, as well as a path to the outside via
the dryer vent. Also avoid direct contact with
the concrete walls, because there may be steel
reinforcing rods within them.
It might be a good idea to unplug your electronic
equipment, such as computers & printers, VCRs &
DVD players, televisions, etc. The typical surge
protector will not protect your equipment from
a lightning strike. Lightning can also come in
through your cable TV system, so that could also
be disconnected as a precaution.
If you are caught outdoors away from a safe
Community Locations
Station #1
Station #2
Station #3
Station #4
Station #5
15700 Baxter Rd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
636.532.0098
18424 Wild Horse Creek Rd
Wildwood, MO 63005
636.532.5811
1201 Fernview Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
314.514.9520
14898 Olive Boulevard
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314.576.4173
155 Long Road
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636.532.5030
Summer 2010
building, you can take shelter in a car, if it has a solid metal top.
Avoid contact with anything that could conduct the lightning
current into the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, ignition, radio
and gear shift lever. If you don’t have a car, avoid metal objects
like fences, sheds, antennae, and remove metal backpacks. Drop
umbrellas, golf clubs, fishing rods and metal tools. Move away
from other people – don’t huddle in a group. Go to a low open area
(not subject to flooding) away from trees, poles and metal objects.
Make your self a small target, by squatting low to the ground. Put
your hands on your knees with your head between them. Do not lie
flat on the ground, because this actually makes you a larger target.
continued
Administration
offices
Maintenance
and Training
13725 Olive Boulevard
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314.514.0900
151 Long Road
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636.537.0715
Page 2
Many people have constructed bedrooms in their basements. This
provides additional bedrooms without the expense of adding onto
the house, and can be a good use of vacant space. If improperly
constructed it can also be hazardous to those who use the rooms.
Lately, we have been seeing many illegal bedrooms in basements.
They don’t have proper windows, to allow the occupants to escape
in the event of a fire. The typical basement window is not large
enough to allow a person to climb through it and is usually located
at the top of the wall. In a fire, the smoke and hot gases collect at
the ceiling, and this is where the person would be struggling to
escape.
“Unsafe/Illegal
Basement Windows”
2. All egress or rescue windows shall have a minimum clear opening
of 5 square feet. In other words, when you open the window, this
opening must be at least 5 square feet.
If you intend to construct a bedroom in your basement or convert
an existing room to a bedroom, please check with us first. This is
one of the reasons we issue permits, so we can review the plans to
make sure the windows, etc, will be according to code. We will also
make periodic inspections to insure that the construction is being
done in accordance with the approved plans.
These requirements are to insure the safety of you and your loved
ones. Please do not put your family members in jeopardy by letting
them sleep in an unsafe basement bedroom. We are here to help.
If we can answer any questions, call us at 314-514-0900, ext 309
during normal business hours. This is a non-emergency number.
If you have, or intend to have, a bedroom in the basement, please
insure that the following criteria are met:
1. Every sleeping room shall have at least one operable window or
door directly to the outside. The window or door must be operable
from the inside without the use of special tools.
Summer 2010
3. The bottom of this clear opening cannot be more than 44 inches
above the floor.
4. The opening must have a minimum height of 24 inches and a
minimum width of 20 inches. These dimensions do not equal 5 square
feet (they only equal 3.33 sq. ft.), but are intended to provide that the
window will be designed in a manner that will give room for escape
and/or rescue. For example, a window opening that is 6 inches tall
and 10 feet wide has 5 square feet, but it would be impossible to escape
through.
5. Bars, grills or screens placed over emergency escape windows
must be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a
key, tool or excessive force.
6. Install a smoke detector in the area of the bedroom door. We can
help you choose the proper location.
www.monarchfpd.org
Page 3
Lightning Information and Safety Tips
Fire Fighters, Pet Mask Save Dog’s Life
The Monarch Fire Protection District’s crew 2242 recently used some
ingenuity to rescue a dog stuck 9 feet down an abandoned, dry well.
The crew was also able to use a new pet oxygen mask to save the
dog’s life. These masks had only recently been added to all Monarch
fire trucks.
After the dog was rescued, Hartmann administered medical attention
to the dog, providing oxygen with the fire district’s new McColloch
O2 pet mask. Monarch Board President Rick Gans and his wife Lisa
recently donated money for the purchase of the masks specifically
designed for use on people’s pets.
On July 6th, the Monarch House 4 crew of Captain Sean Porter,
Firefighter/Paramedic Dave Hartmann and Firefighter/EMT Ken
Hansel rescued a 14-year-old, 55 pound standard poodle from the
dry, abandoned well in Chesterfield. The dog had not been seen since
5:30 p.m. While searching for the dog, around 9:30 p.m., the family’s
daughter heard a bark coming from an open common area in their
Green Trails subdivision and discovered that the dog had fallen into
the well, which was covered with debris and brush.
“Lightning Can Strike
Up To 10 Miles
From Rainfall”
“New Pet Oxygen Mask”
The family who resides in the 14000 block of Trailtop Drive called
9-1-1. Within minutes, the crew was on the scene and proceeded
to use their creativity and resourcefulness to extricate the dog. The
well was approximately 2.5 feet in diameter and the first 3 feet of
wall consisted of concrete and large, irregular stones. Below that,
the wall was comprised of dirt. The rescue crew said the dog’s hind
legs appeared partially covered in dirt, likely as a result of the dog’s
attempt to get out.
The rescue crew fashioned a harness from 1-inch webbing and then
Hartmann used a 12-foot pike pole to position the harness behind the
dog’s fore legs and chest. Hartmann, Hansel and Monarch Explorer
Ben Evans then raised the dog out of the well.
Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall, so
don’t wait for the rain to start before you seek shelter. If you can hear
thunder, you are within the range of lightning. Because lightning
can travel sideways for up to 10 miles, you could be struck by
lightning, even though the sky is blue above you. Ten percent of
lightning occurs without clouds overhead in the sky. Use the 30-30
rule. When you see lightning, count the seconds until you hear the
thunder. If it is 30 seconds or less, you are close enough to be in
danger. After the storm, wait 30 minutes before leaving shelter.
A good way to add protection to your home is to install lightning
rods. These rods are connected together and to a cable that runs
down the side of the house and connects to a long rod driven into
the ground. Because they stand taller than the roof, the lightning
strikes them, which takes the current down around the outside of
the house, to ground, rather than through the electrical wiring and
plumbing pipes inside the house.
If your house is struck, call 911 and report it. Our personnel will
check your home to see if there is any fire, or damage that could
cause a fire.
Basement Bedrooms
Explorer Ben Evans, Firefighter/EMT Ken Hansel,
Firefighter/Paramedic David Hartmann, Captain Sean Porter
Lightning Information and Safety Tips
Every year we have several lightning strikes that result in fires and
this year is no exception. In spite of this, a house is a good place
to seek shelter during a thunderstorm. Lightning typically enters
the house through one of three ways: directly striking
the house, traveling through the house via the pipes
and wiring, or through the ground. A house is better
than a garage or barn, because the electrical wiring and
the plumbing pipes can carry the current from where
it strikes, to the ground. Picnic shelters and bleachers
provide no protection.
During a thunderstorm, do not use corded phones – this
is the leading cause of indoor injuries from lightning.
Stay away from windows and doors. It’s OK to go to the
basement, but stay away from the washer & dryer, because
they are connected to the plumbing and wiring
systems, as well as a path to the outside via
the dryer vent. Also avoid direct contact with
the concrete walls, because there may be steel
reinforcing rods within them.
It might be a good idea to unplug your electronic
equipment, such as computers & printers, VCRs &
DVD players, televisions, etc. The typical surge
protector will not protect your equipment from
a lightning strike. Lightning can also come in
through your cable TV system, so that could also
be disconnected as a precaution.
If you are caught outdoors away from a safe
Community Locations
Station #1
Station #2
Station #3
Station #4
Station #5
15700 Baxter Rd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
636.532.0098
18424 Wild Horse Creek Rd
Wildwood, MO 63005
636.532.5811
1201 Fernview Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
314.514.9520
14898 Olive Boulevard
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314.576.4173
155 Long Road
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636.532.5030
Summer 2010
building, you can take shelter in a car, if it has a solid metal top.
Avoid contact with anything that could conduct the lightning
current into the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, ignition, radio
and gear shift lever. If you don’t have a car, avoid metal objects
like fences, sheds, antennae, and remove metal backpacks. Drop
umbrellas, golf clubs, fishing rods and metal tools. Move away
from other people – don’t huddle in a group. Go to a low open area
(not subject to flooding) away from trees, poles and metal objects.
Make your self a small target, by squatting low to the ground. Put
your hands on your knees with your head between them. Do not lie
flat on the ground, because this actually makes you a larger target.
continued
Administration
offices
Maintenance
and Training
13725 Olive Boulevard
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314.514.0900
151 Long Road
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636.537.0715
Page 2
Many people have constructed bedrooms in their basements. This
provides additional bedrooms without the expense of adding onto
the house, and can be a good use of vacant space. If improperly
constructed it can also be hazardous to those who use the rooms.
Lately, we have been seeing many illegal bedrooms in basements.
They don’t have proper windows, to allow the occupants to escape
in the event of a fire. The typical basement window is not large
enough to allow a person to climb through it and is usually located
at the top of the wall. In a fire, the smoke and hot gases collect at
the ceiling, and this is where the person would be struggling to
escape.
“Unsafe/Illegal
Basement Windows”
2. All egress or rescue windows shall have a minimum clear opening
of 5 square feet. In other words, when you open the window, this
opening must be at least 5 square feet.
If you intend to construct a bedroom in your basement or convert
an existing room to a bedroom, please check with us first. This is
one of the reasons we issue permits, so we can review the plans to
make sure the windows, etc, will be according to code. We will also
make periodic inspections to insure that the construction is being
done in accordance with the approved plans.
These requirements are to insure the safety of you and your loved
ones. Please do not put your family members in jeopardy by letting
them sleep in an unsafe basement bedroom. We are here to help.
If we can answer any questions, call us at 314-514-0900, ext 309
during normal business hours. This is a non-emergency number.
If you have, or intend to have, a bedroom in the basement, please
insure that the following criteria are met:
1. Every sleeping room shall have at least one operable window or
door directly to the outside. The window or door must be operable
from the inside without the use of special tools.
Summer 2010
3. The bottom of this clear opening cannot be more than 44 inches
above the floor.
4. The opening must have a minimum height of 24 inches and a
minimum width of 20 inches. These dimensions do not equal 5 square
feet (they only equal 3.33 sq. ft.), but are intended to provide that the
window will be designed in a manner that will give room for escape
and/or rescue. For example, a window opening that is 6 inches tall
and 10 feet wide has 5 square feet, but it would be impossible to escape
through.
5. Bars, grills or screens placed over emergency escape windows
must be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a
key, tool or excessive force.
6. Install a smoke detector in the area of the bedroom door. We can
help you choose the proper location.
www.monarchfpd.org
Page 3
MONARCH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
PRST STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
St. Louis, MO
Permit NO. 1175
13725 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017-2601
If you received this mailing, you live in the
Monarch Fire Protection District.
MONARCH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
“Serving Ballwin, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Wildwood and portions of unincorporated St. Louis County.”
g
n
i
n
t
Ligh
y
t
e
f
a
S
A Letter From Your Board
Monarch has recently earned an Insurance Standards Organization
(ISO) rating which places it in the top 10 percent of all fire departments
in the country. The ISO is the entity that most insurance companies
rely on to calculate the risk for homes and businesses. Businesses
and homeowner insurance rates are usually determined using a
combination of calculations that include fire or other disaster that
would cause a claim for loss to life and/or property. The risk is reduced
when fire hydrants are plentiful, fire stations are strategically located,
firefighting equipment is well-maintained and up-to-date and personnel
are well trained. The effect on insurance rates for businesses is more
pronounced than for homeowners, but regardless of whether you live
or work here, the service provided in the Monarch Fire Protection
District is rated among the best in the United States. This means you
are in a community where superior fire and EMS service are there to
protect you, your family and your property.
See page 2
“Serving Ballwin, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Wildwood and portions of unincorporated St. Louis County.”
Promotions
while expenses continue to creep up. The Committee met monthly
for six months before delivering their recommendations to the Board
in June. Members included three citizens picked by members of the
Board, two firefighter/paramedics and three of the District’s chief
officers. Discussions were lively and each member worked diligently
to grasp the needs of the District in order to balance them against the
revenues that are expected to be received. The result is a perspective
of the priorities of our residents and a tangible set of ideas the Board
will use to help set the Budget by the end of September. A public
hearing on the tax rate and budget will be held during late September,
with the exact date to be published as required by law (you may find
it at www.monarchfpd.org by mid-August).
New Hires
Many citizens are aware the District was party to a lawsuit in Federal
Court concerning an auditor’s disclosure and improper retention of
personal and protected health information of employees of the Fire
District and their dependents (no citizens health information was
involved in this matter). The Board is pleased to report it has prevailed
in this action and has been able to recover the sensitive documents.
While costly, the Board was compelled to take this action in order
to safeguard the privacy of our employees and their dependents and
protect the District from undesirable and potentially costly, liability.
The District is currently seeking to recover the legal costs involved in
this necessary action.
In December, 2009, Board President Rick Gans called for the
formation of a committee to review the District’s finances and make
recommendations about the 2011 to 2013 budgets. Like many
government agencies, the District is facing flat or declining revenue,
The Monarch Fire Protection District recently hired 4 Firefighter/
Paramedics: Joey Newton, Derek Hanley, Jeffrey Burle and Justin Perkins. Also pictured: Chief Biele, Directors Kim Evans, Rick Gans
and Robin Harris.
How to Reach Us:
The Monarch Fire Protection District recently promoted Firefighter/Paramedics
Dana Buckley and Dan Hinson to Engineer. Also pictured: Chief Biele, Directors
Kim Evans, Rick Gans and Robin Harris. Not pictured: Dana Buckley.
The Monarch Fire Protection District recently promoted Eugene Weiss to Captain.
Also pictured: Director Kim Evans, Chief Biele, Directors Rick Gans and
Robin Harris.
Mission Statement - The mission of the Monarch Fire Protection District is to provide the highest quality emergency services
to the community through fire rescue and emergency medical services, fire prevention and education. We will maintain the highest
standard through experience, education and planning. Our Commitment extends beyond the traditional role of the fire service to
improve the safety and quality of life for all.
Please visit our website @ WWW.MONARCHFPD.ORG to obtain more information regarding board
meeting dates & times; public education; and special events.
Summer 2010
Page 4
Rick Gans / President
Kim Evans / Treasurer
Robin Harris / Secretary
Clifford “Chip” Biele / Chief
314.514.0900 x361
[email protected]
314.514.0900 x305
[email protected]
314.514.0900 x360
[email protected]
314.514.0900
[email protected]
Summer 2010
www.monarchfpd.org
Page 1