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| Big Bend & Hoover |
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| Big Bend & Hoover |
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| 1100 Ralph |
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| 7700 Wise |
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| Bar and Grill 7700 Wise |
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| 7700 Wise |
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| 7700 Wise |
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| Claytonia Creek and Wise |
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| 1100 Moorlands |
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| 1100 Moorlands |
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| Press |
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| Big Bend and Oakland |
Monday, February 28, 2011
Richmond Heights Storm Pictures (Click to Enlarge)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
City to pay $5 million more next year to firefighter pensions
ST. LOUIS • Despite a rebounding investment market, the city will have to pay about $5 million more next fiscal year to firefighter pensions, according to a report presented this week to the Firemen's Retirement System of St. Louis.
The report, from actuaries Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company, puts next year's city contribution at $23.1 million, up from the $17.9 million paid this year.
Of that $5.2 million increase, the city owes $4.7 million, with the extra paid by the airport for its fire units.
Next year's payment, which is required by law, represents a 30 percent increase over last year's amount, and nearly double the $12.2 million required in the prior fiscal year.
Still, the increase is less than expected, said Chris Molitor, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 73. "It's good news," said Molitor. "Our pension costs are driven by the market."
The actuaries reported that the system's investments have rebounded, from a market value of $377 million in 2009 to $393 million in 2010, though still far less than the $417 million value in 2008.
The city, however, is still paying back the nearly $170 million in adjusted value lost in 2008 and 2009. This year, nearly $8 million of the $23.1 million payment is repaying those losses.
Vicky Grass, director of the system, did not return a call seeking comment.
Similar reports concerning the city's other two pension systems, for police and city employees, are either due out soon, or have just been released.
They will represent a key part of the city's $450 million general fund budget. City leaders have long said ballooning pension costs are driving cost overruns and forcing them to make cuts.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Richmond Heights Fire
2/9/11 Wednesday Richmond Heights Firefighters douse the last of the house fire at 7118 Dale in Richmond Heights Wednesday morning. Firefighters thought the fire started in the kitchen. The renter, Dawn Pechmann, got out of the house uninjured with her dog. There was extensive damage throughout the home. Fire companies responded from St. Louis, Maplewood, Brentwood, Clayton and Richmond Heights. J.B. Forbes jforbes@post-dispatch.com
Clayton Richmond Heights Patch
How long have you been in Clayton? How did you get here?
I've been with the city's fire department since 1982. Before that, I had worked in places such as Crestwood and North Jefferson County. I've been fire chief in Clayton since 2001. I was born in Illinois, grew up in Columbus, OH, and Chicago, and finished high school in Kirkwood. Now I livein Florissant.
How did you get interested in this line of work?
My interest in public service and safety came from Boy Scouts. I had looked at working in law enforcement or as a park ranger. Then I did a ridealong one summer with the St. Louis County Police Department.
What did you see that was different about fire work than police work?
Both groups help people. But police interactions with the public involved enforcing the law and making people do stuff. Interactions between the fire department and the public were almost all positive. Fire officials were always helping.
Tell me about your family.
I have been married almost 30 years to my wife, Jill. I have two children. Jon started working about a year and a half ago with the Mehlville Fire Protection District. Kristina is in school studying to become a nurse. I have one grandchild, Jacob.
What does your job involve?
I'm kind of the citizens' voice to the city manager and elected officials on issues related to fire and emergency medical services. As a department head who reports to the city manager, I am responsible for being financially prudent. The third hat I wear is that of someone who serves as the spokesman to the city for members of the fire department, which offers fire prevention, inspection, emergency medical services, fire suppression and rescue services.
What about your job might surprise some people?
The amount of technical knowledge we have to have in a variety of areas. As someone who handles operations involving hazardous materials, I have a knowledge of chemistry and safety. We develop and enforce codes. We write summonses and have a broad range of legal authority. There also is a human-relations component to my job: I manage 35 people, all Type AA people. You want employees like that, people who are used to going in and getting it done. We're all certified educators. I also manage a budget of several million dollars, work in terrorism preparedness. You know a lot about a lot of things.
How does firefighting in Clayton differ from doing that kind of work in other cities?
Clayton is a very special community. We've got a 1,200-bed jail and we have the Ritz-Carlton. We provide service to a variety of places. We've got mass transit, an interstate. We have 43 high-rises, second only to St. Louis City and Kansas City. We have a lot of mutual aid agreements here with fire departments in the surrounding region. We respond to fires in Maplewood, Mid-County, St. Louis City. We have a close relationship. This morning, I was at a residential fire in Richmond Heights working with that city's chief. That level of aid doesn't work in some places.
What are the fire department's plans this year?
We're going to be focusing on having more community involvement. We provide a classroom safety program. We're looking to enhance that program. We also help install car seats. We've applied for a couple of federal grants to help us in that area. We recently started a movie night at the fire house. Forty-seven people attended the first event, and three more are scheduled. We offer an injury-prevention presentation followed by a movie.
We will continue to train members of our department. We are on a 24-month education cycle that involves study in areas such as medical care, high-angle rescue, structural collapse, hazardous materials and driving emergency vehicles. We'll be replacing two vehicles that are equipped with electronics and serve as command centers during emergencies.
Tell me more about what a command vehicle does.
Command vehicles have radios, laptops, Wi-Fi and plans outlining the infrastructure of city buildings. We'll be digitizing those records this year for all of our vehicles. Those plans help emergency officials know where the electricity is located in a building in the event of a fire, for example.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
It's a very rewarding job.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Public Safety Dispatcher
The East Central Dispatch Center is now accepting applications for the position of a full-time Public Safety Dispatcher. The ideal candidate must work well in a group setting and be customer service oriented. The position requires the candidate to work in a fast paced, stressful environment. Successful candidate must also be able to multi-task, have prior experience dispatching in a multiple jurisdictional or multiple discipline agency. REJIS and EMD certification is not required but preferred. The position requires holiday and weekend work. The position requires candidates to work 12 hour shifts. Salary range for the position is $31,000 to $45,000 based upon qualifications and experience. Application deadline is March 1, 2011 or until filled.
If interested in joining our team, please obtain an application packet at the Richmond Heights City Hall 1330 S. Big Bend Blvd Richmond Heights, MO 63117. Applications may also be obtained online atwww.richmondheights.org/jobs.aspx
Fire Chief
The final filing date is March 21, 2011. See http://www.mvafc.org/Data/Temp/BransonChief.pdf for complete details.
Submit materials via mail, Email or fax to:
City of Branson
Attn: Kelli R. Fleck, Deputy Personnel Officer
110 W. Maddux St., Suite 315
417-337-8555 – Phone
417-337-5466 – Fax
personneldept@bransonmo.gov - Email
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
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