This weekend, Metro West firefighter/paramedics are proud to support the 2026 Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo alongside our neighbors from @monarchfpd. In the fire service, serving our community doesn't stop at a district boundary. Whether responding to emergencies through mutual aid, assisting during natural disasters, or helping provide safety at large scale community events, we all work together to serve. #YourLifeOurMission
Before today’s modern fire trucks, advanced medical care and specialized rescue teams, there were neighbors who saw a need and stepped forward to serve.
Metro West’s story began in 1934 as the Community Fire Association, built on a simple mission to protect the people who call this community home. Over the decades, that commitment grew and evolved into the Ballwin Fire Protection District and eventually the Metro West Fire Protection District we know today.
While much has changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to service.
From volunteer beginnings to today’s highly trained firefighter/paramedics, every generation has helped shape who we are. We are proud of our history and grateful for those who came before us. #YourLifeOurMission
Recently, members of the Metro West Dive Team trained at the Lafayette High School pool, participating in stress inoculation drills designed to build confidence and composure in challenging underwater environments. These exercises require divers to control their breathing, remain focused, and work through stressful situations while underwater. Training like this helps prepare divers to operate safely and effectively when responding to emergencies where conditions may be unpredictable and visibility is limited. #YourLifeOurMission
Last week, Metro West firefighter/paramedics spent time with summer camp counselors from the City of Ellisville Parks and Recreation, providing hands on training in CPR, AED use and first aid ahead of the busy summer camp season.
From recognizing emergencies to learning lifesaving skills, this training helps ensure counselors are prepared to respond with confidence should an emergency arise. We appreciate the City of Ellisville Parks and Recreation’s commitment to safety and the opportunity to support those caring for children throughout the summer. #YourLifeOurMission
On May 30, 1737, Benjamin Franklin and fellow citizens formalized the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia, helping shape what would become the American fire service tradition. Nearly 290 years later, the commitment to protecting lives, serving others, and answering the call in times of need remains at the heart of the fire service. At Metro West, we are proud to carry this tradition forward each day through service, professionalism, and compassion. #YourLifeOurMission
At last week’s Metro West Board of Directors meeting, a pinning ceremony was held to recognize Frank Hauler’s promotion to lieutenant. Pinning ceremonies are a longstanding fire service tradition that recognize leadership, dedication, and career milestones while honoring the support of family along the way. Lieutenant Hauler was pinned by his family, marking a meaningful moment in a career dedicated to serving others.
Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Frank Hauler on this well deserved promotion and in recognizing his continued dedication to serving the Metro West community. #YourLifeOurMission
At last week’s Metro West Board of Directors meeting, a pinning ceremony was held to recognize Seth Clarahan’s promotion to lieutenant. Pinning ceremonies are a longstanding fire service tradition that honor dedication, leadership, and career milestones while recognizing the support of family along the way. Lieutenant Clarahan was pinned by his grandmother, Marianne, a meaningful moment celebrating both family and service.
Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Seth Clarahan on this well-deserved promotion and in recognizing his continued dedication to serving the Metro West community. #YourLifeOurMission
At last week’s Metro West Board of Directors meeting, Tim George was formally recognized during a pinning ceremony celebrating his promotion to captain. A longstanding fire service tradition, pinning ceremonies recognize career milestones while honoring the support of family along the way. Captain George was pinned by his wife, Jordan, a meaningful moment celebrating both family and service.
Please join us in congratulating Captain Tim George on his promotion and in recognizing his continued dedication to serving the Metro West community. #YourLifeOurMission
Promotion in the fire service is often marked by a pinning ceremony, a tradition recognizing dedication, leadership, and the family support that makes a career possible. At last week’s Metro West Board of Directors meeting, Kurt LaBelle was formally recognized for his promotion to captain and pinned by his family, a meaningful moment celebrating both family and service.
Please join us in congratulating Captain Kurt LaBelle on this well deserved promotion and in recognizing his continued dedication to serving the Metro West community. #YourLifeOurMission
At last week’s Metro West Board of Directors meeting, a pinning ceremony was held to recognize Rob Farr’s promotion to battalion chief. Pinning ceremonies are a longstanding fire service tradition which recognize career milestones while honoring the support of family along the way. Battalion Chief Farr was pinned by his wife, Amber, a meaningful moment recognizing both family and a career of service.
Please join us in congratulating Battalion Chief Rob Farr on this well-deserved promotion and in recognizing his continued dedication to serving the Metro West community. #YourLifeOurMission
Training helps ensure firefighters are ready when the unexpected happens. Recently, Metro West joined crews from Valley Park, Maplewood and Eureka Fire for a structural collapse training exercise. The scenario simulated a vehicle leaving the roadway and crashing into a garage, causing the structure to collapse on top of the vehicle with victims trapped inside. Working through realistic, hands-on scenarios like this strengthens teamwork, sharpens rescue skills and helps prepare responders for complex emergencies. #YourLifeOurMission
Behind every fire truck and ambulance is a team working to keep it ready for the next emergency. Metro West employs two full time mechanics who service and repair our entire fleet of emergency vehicles in house. This approach is an important cost saving component of our business model. By handling maintenance and repairs internally, we reduce outside repair costs, minimize downtime, and return broken vehicles to service faster. Most importantly, it helps ensure our firefighter/paramedics have reliable equipment ready to respond when our community calls. #YourLifeOurMission
Your passion for helping others can make a difference. Apply now to join a team dedicated to the highest standard of care. Metro West is hiring for the position of firefighter/paramedic. Applications close TOMORROW on May 22! https://t.co/RC8QkPmW9m
Every day, before the calls begin, our engineers carefully inspect each fire truck from top to bottom to make sure it is ready to respond. From checking equipment to inspecting the engine, these daily checks help keep our firefighters safe and our community protected. #YourLifeOurMission
Metro West recently had the opportunity to visit with students at the Rockwood Early Childhood Center at Clarkson Valley. Crews spent time talking about fire safety, exploring the fire truck, and answering lots of great questions from the students. We always enjoy opportunities to connect with young learners and help make safety education fun and memorable. #YourLifeOurMission
During EMS Week, we are proud to recognize the dedicated firefighter/paramedics who provide advanced emergency medical care to our community every day.
In 1983, Metro West became the first fire agency in St. Louis County to require firefighters to maintain a paramedic license. It was a forward thinking decision that helped shape the future of emergency medical care in our region.
More than 40 years later, EMS remains at the heart of what we do. From cardiac emergencies and traumatic injuries to everyday medical calls, our firefighter/paramedics continue providing compassionate, professional care during some of life’s most critical moments. #YourLifeOurMission
Every call is a chance to make a difference. Join a team built on service, trust and professionalism. Metro West is hiring for the position of firefighter/paramedic. Applications close on May 22! https://t.co/RC8QkPmW9m
At this week’s Metro West Board of Directors meeting, a special pinning ceremony was held to recognize the promotion of Travis Bauer to the rank of Deputy Chief. This longstanding fire service tradition recognizes both new beginnings and career milestones while also celebrating the dedication and leadership required to serve at the highest levels of the fire service.
Deputy Chief Bauer began his career with Metro West in 1994 as a volunteer firefighter. In 1999, he was hired full time as a firefighter/paramedic and has since built a distinguished career through steady advancement, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to serving the community. Over the years, he earned promotions to engineer and lieutenant in 2011, captain in 2015, and battalion chief in May 2016.
Throughout his career, Chief Bauer has been recognized for both his professionalism and service to others. He has received two Unit Citation awards presented by The Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association and was selected by the Knights of Columbus as Firefighter of the Year in 2015. Chief Bauer has also earned six Lifesaving Phoenix Awards, recognizing his involvement in more than 18 clinical saves during his career.
Congratulations Deputy Chief Travis Bauer on this well-earned promotion and thank you for your continued service to our community. #YourLifeOurMission