About Us

The St. Louis Fire Department is recognized as a progressive leader in providing the highest quality of emergency services. We are committed to the preservation of life, property, and the environment by effectively and efficiently meeting the emerging public safety and welfare needs of our diverse community. We accomplish our goals by maintaining the highest standards of professional service through continued training, education, and living up to our motto of being "Justifiably Proud." 

The St. Louis Fire Department protects a city that covers approximately 62 square miles and has a population of approximately 319,294 full-time residents and a daytime population approaching 1,000,000. 

The St. Louis Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, is organized into five bureaus:  Administrative Services, Fire Prevention, Operations, Support Services, and Emergency Medical Services.  Each bureau is commanded by a Deputy Fire Chief.

The St. Louis Fire Department employs approximately 900 personnel, which includes Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, and Civilians.

In addition to fire suppression and emergency medical services, the St. Louis Fire Department also has specialized units which include:

• Aircraft Rescue Firefighting at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
• Haz-Mat Task Force
• Marine Operations with a Boston Whaler called the "Jack Buck," which is permanently moored on the Mississippi River, along with several other small rapidly deployable boats.
• Dive & Swift Water Rescue
• High-Angle Rope Rescue
• Trench & Collapse Rescue

The St. Louis Fire Department also believes in and works strongly on community outreach programs. These programs enable the fire department to get  important fire and life safety messages across to the public. The community outreach programs include:

• Fire safety presentations
• Fire safety house presentations
• Free smoke alarm installations
• Safety brochures (available in English)
• Fire extinguisher training for the business community
• Fire service career education
• CARE® automated telephone reassurance program

The Fire Suppression Bureau operates three shifts, each commanded by a Deputy Fire Chief.  Firefighters respond from 30 Engine Houses, located throughout the City, organized into six districts.  Each district is commanded by a Battalion chief.

The St. Louis Fire Department also provides structural fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue response, and aircraft rescue firefighting at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport from two fire stations located at the airport.

Department Profiles

History