St Charles

Paramedic sues ambulance district
BY SUSAN WEICH
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
11 December 2014

ST. CHARLES COUNTY • A paramedic for the county ambulance district has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the district repeatedly discriminated against him while he served as a Navy reservist and a member of the Illinois National Guard.
Matthew Lindewirth, a 17-year veteran of the district, also said he was denied pay, promotions and light duty after he was injured while transporting classified information in Africa.
The suit names current and former members of the district board as well as the current CEO Taz Meyer.
In a written statement, the district said it “strongly denied” the allegations.
“The St. Charles County Ambulance District strongly supports our veterans, and proudly employs numerous current and former military personnel,” the statement said. “Likewise, the employment policies of the district are supportive of the men and women who have served our nation.”
Lindewirth’s suit said his mistreatment included being harassed when he pointed out district violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Act of 1994. He was forced to apologize to then-CEO Ken Koch and the board for challenging district policy by reporting it to the Department of Defense, the suit claims.
In addition, the lawsuit claims Koch told two other employees who were in the military at the time that “everything” was going to be taken away from them because of Lindewirth’s actions. This led to arguments between Lindewirth and other employees as well as the berating of Lindewirth, according to the lawsuit.
Lindewirth claims he was not paid the differential between his military pay and his paramedic pay, despite other employees getting that money. In addition, the district failed to pay his retirement benefits for six years while he was on military duty. While deployed another time, it canceled his insurance, sick time and vacation, the suit says.
After Lindewirth injured both arms in Africa in 2012, he had to have three operations, and the district tried to force him to take time off under the Family Medical Leave Act, which would not have provided him enough time to recover, according to the suit.
In addition, when Lindewirth returned, the district refused to place him on light duty and as a result, his recovery allegedly was compromised.
“Members of the military like Lindewirth risk all, and when they come back they shouldn’t have to deal with employers that can’t even follow the law,” said his attorney, Lynette Petruska.


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Firefighter Injured

Apartment in St. Louis is gutted, firefighter hurt in fire 

PHOTO: A firefighter was hurt battling a fire that gutted the apartment of a family of four this afternoon in the 1200 block of North 16th Street, fire officials said. Batallion Chief Mike Killingsworth said 16-year-old twin brothers and a man got out of the apartment safely and called for help about 4:50 p.m.The fire caused extensive damage to their apartment but the flames did not reach the others in the three-story building in the Carr Square complex. The injured firefighter suffered from smoke inhalation and was taken to a hospital, officials said. The firefighter's injuries were not considered life-threatening. No one else was hurt. There was a brief scare at the scene because of reports of a missing child. It was quickly learned that the child was still at school. Killingsworth said the cause of the fire was unknown. The Red Cross was at the scene to offer help to displaced residents. The property manager said the family in the apartment where the fire started lost all their belongings. Other apartments had smoke damage but residents were expected to be able to return to them next week.   

15 Years

15 years since tragic Worcester Cold Storage warehouse fire 
It’s a somber day in Worcester as the city marks the 15th anniversary of a warehouse fire that claimed the lives of six firefighters. A ceremony is scheduled for later Wednesday at the Franklin Street Fire station, which sits on the site of what was once the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Company. The fire that investigators said was started by two homeless people destroyed the building On Dec. 3, 1999. Lt. Thomas Spencer, Lt. Timothy Jackson Sr., Lt. James Lyons III, and firefighters Jeremiah Lucey, Paul Brotherton and Joseph McGuirk died after becoming trapped in the inferno.

WWLP-TV Springfield

.........

Time Magazine

Monday

Tough Times

Texting

BFD. .... ?

Ryan Hummert

Firefighter Injured In South St. Louis « CBS St. Louis

Firefighter Injured In South St. Louis « CBS St. Louis

Kevin Bacon

Firefighter dies after crashing on motorcycle
BY DENISE HOLLINSHED 

ST. LOUIS • A West County firefighter, who had been honored for heroism, died after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing into a median on South Broadway early Saturday.

Kevin Bacon, 39, of Waterloo, was killed in the accident. Bacon was a 15year firefighter who came to West County Fire & EMS from the St. Louis Fire Department, said West County Battalion Chief Robert Kartje.

“The whole organization is feeling his loss,” Kartje said softly. “He was one of the best firefighters we had.”

Police said Bacon was traveling at a high rate of speed when the motorcycle crashed in the 3200 block of South Broadway at 3:30 a.m.

The motorcycle struck a median at Broadway and Utah Street. Bacon was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was single and had no children. Bacon was featured in a Post-Dispatch story last year in a special section on local heroes. In 2012, he saved the life of a driver who was trapped underneath an SUV.

Bacon, who was 6- foot- 3 and weighed 230 pounds, was able to lift the 3,000-pound vehicle off the driver, Norman Scherrer of Valley Park. Bacon was awarded the Class II Silver Medallion from the Greater St. Louis Fire Chiefs Association for his effort. It’s the group’s second-highest award.

In the article last year, Bacon said knowing that Scherrer was walking, talking and back with his children was better than the award.

“That’s what this job’s all about,” he said. “It’s why we come to work.

Illinois

Zoo Fire

Attic fire in Brentwood

STLD 4 alarm

RHFD

Richmond Heights firefighters honored for helping save 2 lives

By: DOUG MINER | 20 HOURS AGO

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Members of the Richmond Heights Fire Department were honored Thursday at St. Mary’s Health Center for their part in saving the lives of two Richmond Heights residents when they suffered sudden cardiac arrest.

Austin Bates and Cessare Chiaradonna had heart attacks in March, and both walked out of the hospital less than a week later.

Mary Fischer, who works with heart attack cases at the hospital, said the success was the result of the firefighters and hospital staff working together. Hospital staff was also recognized.

Bates said he experienced no warning before the “lights went out”, on March 5. Bystanders began CPR and called 911. Richmond Heights Fire Department arrived within three minutes of being dispatched, according to records. CPR was continued, he was shocked twice to bring back a pulse, and was taken to St. Mary’s Health Center.

Bates was not at the ceremony; he was on the West Coast for a family graduation.

On March 25, Richmond Heights Fire Department was dispatched for a 55-year-old man, Cessare Chiaradonna, who was unresponsive, lying on the floor. His wife, Jan, had called 911.

Fischer told Chiaradonna’s wife, Jan, that she did a wonderful job on the phone with the East Central Dispatch. “The reports states you started rescue breaths until Richmond Heights got there,” she said.

“911 was wonderful. They really kept me calm,” Chiaradonna said.

The fire department was able to bring back his pulse. Their scene time was 10 minutes and transport time to St. Mary’s was two minutes.

“What you accomplished in such a short time is simply amazing,” Fischer told the department.

Fire Chief Kerry Hogan said his firefighters say it’s just part of the job.

“But things like this, it makes you feel good,” he said. “I think I have some of the best-trained paramedics in the St. Louis area. Very proud of them. They do an excellent job every day.”

Hogan also said he will go back and tell the dispatchers they did a good job in the emergencies too.

Richmond Heights firefighters recognized were: Greg Steffen, Stephen Kimker, Eric Young, Michael Fox, Luke Van Cleave, Steve Niemeier, Stuart Stevens, Joe Nazzoli, Daniel Miner, Jonathan Smith, Suzanne Stahlman, Kelly Kennon and Scott Lilly.

Doug Moody

 

It is with Great sadness that I report that our Retiree Brother Doug Moody
passed this evening at 6:15 pm.
Brother Moody was retired from Creve Coeur for approximately 18 + years and was a very active member of his shop , including volunteering countless hours for MDA and the Honor Guard!
As I get funeral details I will contact each of you again and I will have a 
special request from our Retirees, once details are in place !
God Speed Brother Moody, you done your duty and now its time to rest.
Mr. Kim R. Besserman, Local 2665 Retiree Chairman
kbesser835@aol.com 
(314)-503-3473

Ok

UCFD

Infighting persists in U. City
BY VALERIE SCHREMP HAHN vhahn@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8246 AND STEVE GIEGERICH sgiegerich@post-dispatch.com 314-725-6758
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
May 13, 2014

UNIVERSITY CITY • While a candidate elected by a narrow margin has been delayed by a court action from taking his seat, infighting is splitting the rest of the University City City Council.

Two council members are seeking legal help on whether the city manager violated ethics codes when they say he endorsed the reelection of two members in a city newsletter before the election. City officials disagree on whether at least five firefighters should have been suspended last month for endorsing a political candidate. And one City Council member hopeful who won an election by six votes still hasn’t been sworn in because of a temporary restraining order blocking him from taking office. That slot was held by outgoing member Byron Price, who was lauded by some members at Monday’s meeting for his past work on the council.

“Thanks for the support,” Price said. “This is my last meeting. Trust me, I won’t be hanging around.”

Council members Paulette Carr and Terry Crow are seeking independent legal help on whether City Manager Lehman Walker violated ethics codes when they said he endorsed the re-election of two members in a city newsletter before the April municipal election. Carr said she finds it particularly troubling given that Walker has called out a group of at least five University City firefighters for publicly supporting another candidate on the April ballot.

“I think it’s hypocritical if we give him a pass when he is penalizing the firefighters,” she said in an interview before the meeting. “It’s a powerful endorsement. Most people don’t pay attention to elections. But they might if the city manager speaks out.”

In the newsletter, issued before the election, Carr points out that an article by Walker praised the council for approving surplus budgets, mentioning Michael Glickert, Stephen Kraft and Mayor Shelley Welsch, who were running for re-election. There was no mention of members Carr and Terry Crow. “He used a public newsletter to do it,” Carr said. “That’s public funds. And it’s never been done before.”

Meanwhile, Rod Jennings, who was elected to sit on the council by six votes over Bwayne Smotherson, wonders why he hasn’t been sworn in to take office. He faces a restraining order filed by Smotherson and is awaiting a recount. “I am being irreparably harmed by the shorting of my term by these delays,” he said.

It was unclear when Jennings was to be sworn in, though members said he would be sitting on the council at the next meeting.

Some members are angry because they said they were not properly notified of a May 8 special meeting to approve the election results before the recount was started. Kraft said that by law a certified candidate may take office while a recount is being conducted. He said it’s up to the court to decide whether a recount is needed, and by Monday the city hadn’t received notice it was needed.

Meanwhile, Walker has been feuding with the city’s union firefighters, some of whom posed for council candidates’ campaign photos. All four union-backed candidates lost. State law prohibits first responders from engaging in campaigns while on duty or in uniform. The sides disagree on the definition of “uniform” and whether the workers were on duty.

Meanwhile, members proposed resolutions to disapprove the city manager’s action against the firefighters, investigate his actions in the city newsletter, and solidify qualifications for first responders. Members either voted to postpone action on those indefinitely or until the next meeting in two weeks.

One resolution proposed that the council supports a nonhostile work environment, and that people could not be retaliated against for being a whistleblower.

Price wondered why anyone would postpone action on it. “Either you believe in these values, or you don’t,” Price said.

But some members had issues with the wording. This is already the law, pointed out Kraft. Being a whistleblower isn’t constitutionally protected, said Glickert and Kraft.

The council delayed action.

---

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MFD

Maplewood firefighters specialize in rescues. If someone is down a hole or in a confined space Maplewood has the equipment and knowledge to get the victim out.

Firefighter, Matt Wilcox has taken that to the next level. He’s been accepted to the Missouri Task Force 1 team as a rescue specialist. He is currently in training for the team.

Maplewood firefighter, Matt Wilcox has been accepted to the Missouri Task Force 1 team.

Missouri Task Force 1 is a FEMA funded regional response urban search and rescue team of 186 firefighters, other rescue specialists, and medical providers from fire departments throughout Missouri. There are 28 teams nationally.

Wilcox, 30, said the primary job is to to help people, even if it’s just going door to door making sure people are OK. That’s what task force team members did at the recent flooding in Colorado.

“Obviously you’d like to be doing the breaking, the breaching, whatever, but if that’s what you’re called to do, that’s what you’re called to do,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox is married and has a 15-month-old daughter. His family is understanding and supportive according to Maplewood Fire Department Fire Chief Terry Merrell. “The time needed for training and the willingness to respond to a major incident with virtually no notice requires a total family commitment and sacrifice,” Merrell said.

Only the most qualified and dedicated are selected for Task Force 1, according to Merrell. He is the first Maplewood firefighter to be accepted.

Wilcox got an interview two years ago, but there were no openings at the time. He was told to keep applying and keep taking classes. He took swift water rescues, confined space rescues, boat operator and hazmat tech in the meantime. He was finally accepted.

“He constantly challenges himself to be better,” Merrell said. “Combine those attributes with a very high level of physical fitness and technical knowledge and you have the essential ingredients that define what is demanded by the task force.”

The team can be assigned to go anywhere there’s a disaster. Teams went to New York for 9-11. They were sent to Washington state for the mud slide in March. If Wilcox’s team is called he has four hours to get to the team meeting place near Columbia. They travel with two semi trucks full of everything they need for 14 days.

Wilcox grew up in Glendale across from the fire station. “We bugged the firemen, chased the firetruck,” he said. “Around 22 is when I started all the paramedic classes and the fire academy. I get to play all day, in my mind. It’s the best job in the world.”

He said being on the the task force team is no different than being on call in Maplewood. It’s a matter of being there to help, even if it’s not exciting.

“Would you want to be putting out fires all the time? Sure,” he said. “But if somebody calls you because their smoke detector’s not working, or they fell and need help getting off the floor, that’s what you’re here to do. You’re just there to help somebody.”

Fire chief of embattled Monarch district submits resignation : News

Fire chief of embattled Monarch district submits resignation : News

UCFD

University City firefighters suspended for political involvement 

Five University City firefighters were told Wednesday afternoon they were suspended for the next three months without pay for violating a statute that forbids first responders from being involved with political campaigns while in uniform or on duty. It's unclear if a sixth firefighter, who also posed in pictures with City Council candidates, will be suspended. City Manager Lehman Walker told the firefighters after the April 8 municipal elections that they were being investigated. Depending on what was found, he said disciplinary action ranged from verbal reprimand to dismissal. Though they can keep their jobs, the firefighters were angry about the suspensions. Walker informed them of the decision in short meetings Wednesday. "These are mothers and fathers who are going to have to try to figure out how to feed their families without a source of income," said Kurt Becker, an attorney representing Fire Fighters Local 2665.

Good Luck Chris Hart

Boston Marathon 2014

Monarch

Dear Chief Vineyard,

We are writing to personally advise you that the Monarch Firefighters, L2665 (Shop) is submitting this letter as a result of a vote of No Confidence in Assistant Chief Cary Spiegel and to request that he be removed from office. Despite his very recent appointment to this position, the Shop feels that no other option exists with regards to Assistant Chief Spiegel.

While Assistant Chief Spiegel has only been in his present position and rank since April 7, 2014, he has a long history with the Monarch Fire Protection District. Notably, he was promoted to the position of Chief Medical Officer of the District in 2000, at which point he had supervisory authority over all paramedics and EMT’s, and then to Deputy Chief in 2003, at which point he had supervisory authority over all Members of the Fire District. In the years subsequent to his promotion in 2000, a gradual decline in the working relationship between the Shop and the Administration resulted in a significant deterioration in morale, performance, direction, and, perhaps most notably, public opinion and confidence in the Fire District. While Assistant Chief Spiegel does not alone bear the burden of responsibility for these problems, he does bear significant culpability for the following reasons. 1) In 2007, four (4) females filed a lawsuit against the District, alleging that the District, by and through its commanding officers, including Mr. Spiegel, had discriminated against them during their employment with the District because they are female, and promoted and fostered a hostile work environment. The female fire fighters alleged specifically, among other things, that they were denied training opportunities which were given to their male counterparts, were not given equal time on the fire truck, and were retaliated against by the District once they made reports that they believed they were being treated differently than the male fire fighters. A St. Louis County jury found the District had in fact created a hostile work environment and discriminated against two (2) of the females and awarded them (Donna Kessler and Dana Buckley) $200,000.00 each to compensate them for the discrimination they had suffered at the hands of the District. The Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the verdict on November 15, 2011, stating that Plaintiff Kessler and Buckley had presented evidence of a pattern of gender discrimination at trial and that the District had created a pervasive hostile work environment.

On November 19, 2011, the District’s Board majority voted to terminate Cary Spiegel, as a result of the findings of the jury and Missouri Court of Appeals. The Board’s vote was ratified on November 22, 2011, in an open board meeting. During the meeting, Director Robin Harris publicly denounced the favorable verdicts issued to Ms. Kessler and Ms. Buckley, stating that the verdicts they received were significantly less than what they asked the jury to award, and that the command staff, including Cary Spiegel, were not directly responsible for the discrimination and hostile work environment that Ms. Kessler and Ms. Buckley were subjected to at the District. Director Harris expressed during this meeting his disagreement with the Board’s decision to terminate Mr. Spiegel’s employment. Director Harris went on to state that Mr. Spiegel and the other command staff, at the time the initial complaints of gender discrimination were made by Ms. Kessler and Ms. Buckley, immediately rectified the situation. In response to Director Harris’ comments, then Chairman of the Board Director Kim Evans reminded him that the testimony at trial revealed that the District hired a firm to investigate Ms. Kessler and Ms. Buckley’s complaints in 2006, and that the investigative firm recommended that the District take certain actions in response to the female fire fighters complaints, but those recommendations were ignored by the District and its command staff, including Cary Spiegel, and the discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment continued. Director Harris could provide no response to Director Evans’ statement.

2)Following Spiegel’s termination in 2011, the Fire District undertook a voluntary DEA audit of its controlled substance inventory, documentation, and record keeping policies. During the course of the audit, the Fire District was threatened with loss of license due to inadequate documentation and poor record keep practices, which were the sole responsibility of Spiegel while employed. While the District’s license to dispense controlled substances was retained, it was only through the significant efforts of Deputy Chief Nick Harper, with the assistance of Mercy Hospital EMS liaisons. Had the problem gone unchecked, a significant decrease in service to the District residents would have resulted, for which Spiegel would have borne sole responsibility, due to his mismanagement of a position of less responsibility than that to which he has now been elevated.

Notably, as the Assistant Chief of the District, Cary Spiegel will have direct supervisory power over Ms. Kessler and Ms. Buckley, as well as all employees of the District. Further, Director Robin Harris, who has publicly decried the verdicts handed down in Ms. Kessler’s and Buckley’s case is now the Chairman of the District’s Board of Directors.

During the course of the litigation, many of the District’s employees, who are also members of the Local, gave favorable deposition testimony corroborating Ms. Kessler and Ms. Buckley’s complaints regarding being subjected to gender discrimination and a hostile work environment. Some of these same employees also appeared at trial to testify on behalf of Ms. Kessler and Ms. Buckley.

Notably, Donna Kessler and Dana Buckley are still employed with the District, as are the majority of the employees who testified on their behalf during the litigation and at trial.

The District’s current Board of Directors, with the exception of Director Steve Swyers, has been actively engaged in a campaign to discredit the Local and its members, since Director Jane Cunningham was elected to the Board in April of 2013. After Director Cunningham was elected to the Board, she publicly compared the Local to the “mafia” and a “corrupt cartel,” and stated, “We must kill this beast.” The Board’s recent decision to hire Cary Spiegel is yet another attempt by the Board to rattle the Local and discourage its members from remaining active in union activities.

As a result of the Board’s recent actions, several of the effected employees of the District, including those in leadership positions with the Local, who testified favorably on behalf of Donna Kessler and Dana Buckley, are preparing to file Charges of Discrimination with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, alleging the District’s hiring of Cary Spiegel is an act of retaliation against them, and demanding that the District rescind its decision.

While this is not an exhaustive list of all concerns regarding Assistant Chief Spiegel, they are the most pressing. Assistant Chief Spiegel will be charged with the supervision of all Monarch employees, as well as playing a role in the command of emergency incidents. The de facto nature of his relationship with many members of the Shop renders confidence in his ability to fairly supervise and safely command those members irreparably damaged. It is for these reasons, among others, that the Monarch Firefighters, L2665 declare an affirmative vote of No Confidence in Assistant Chief Cary Spiegel.

Firefighers Mourn Loss of Fellow Fighters in Boston Fire

He Made a Difference (+playlist)

City Hall

Affton

Daniel J. Gruener 

  |   Visit Guest Book

Gruener, Daniel J. Monday, February 24, 2014. Beloved son of the late Joseph and Lori Gruener; cherished brother of Keri (Sam) Haug; our dear nephew, cousin, friend and brother fire fighter. Services: Funeral from KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois, Friday, February 28, 10 a.m. Interment Mt. Hope Cemetery. Contributions to the Backstoppers, PO Box 795168, St. Louis, MO 63179-0700, or the Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Rd., Ste. 146, Des Plaines, IL 60018-4110 appreciated. Visitation Thursday 3-9 p.m.

Bruce Britt CFD

Firefighter killed

 

 

Firefighter killed in collapse at MU apartments

Lt. Bruce Britt killed in line of duty after walkway collapses Saturday morning

POSTED: 10:55 AM CST Feb 22, 2014    UPDATED: 01:14 PM CST Feb 22, 2014 

 

COLUMBIA, Mo. -

A Columbia firefighter was killed while responding to a walkway collapse Saturday morning at University Village apartment

Lt. Bruce Britt died Saturday morning, according to the Columbia Fire Department.

A news conference has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.

Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin released the following statement Saturday:

"My heart is heavy this morning as my deepest condolences go to the family of the brave City of Columbia firefighter who was fatally injured in the line of duty helping keep the residents of University Village Apartments safe.

We are grateful that, due to the efforts of this firefighter and others, no residents were injured. My deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who assisted during this emergency."

Inspections are currently underway at the University of Missouri-owned apartments on Providence Road after an exterior walkway collapsed around 4:40 a.m.

One resident said he had been evacuated when a neighbor noticed cracks inside his apartment and found part of his balcony had crumbled.

University officials said Saturday all students and residents were accounted for and safe.

Residents told ABC 17 News they were being relocated Saturday because it could be hours before their apartments were cleared from inspection.

One couple said they were being put up at a local hotel.

2 children killed, 2 others hurt in St. Louis County house fire | KMOV.com St. Louis

2 children killed, 2 others hurt in St. Louis County house fire | KMOV.com St. Louis:

Congrats Brentwood Capts

Charlie Miller

It is with sadness that the Clayton Fire Department announces the death of Retired Fire Chief Charles Miller. Retired Chief Miller died February 2, 2014.
 

Chief Miller began his career with the Clayton Fire Department on February 1, 1963. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1970 and to the rank of Fire Marshal in 1971. In 1995, Charlie was promoted to the rank of Fire Chief where he served until his retirement on February 1, 1999.
 

Visitation will be held from 4P – 8P on Tuesday February 11th, 2014 at the Kutis Funeral Home 10151 Gravois Rd, St. Louis. 
 

Funeral services will be held at 10AM on Wednesday February 12th, 2014 at St. Michaels Catholic Church 7622 Sutherland Ave, Shrewsbury Mo. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery 6901 McKenzie Rd, St. Louis Mo. 
 

Firefighter honors will be provided.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Charlie’s name can be made to Backstoppers or Responder Rescue.

RH History, Bannker, Jones, Berkley, Elinore, etc.

Boat House

Harry Hall

 

 

From: Erin Huett 
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 2:33 PM
To: All Employee
Subject: Sad news to report

 

All—

 

I am saddened to report the passing of Police Officer Harry Hall this morning.  Arrangements have not yet been set, but as soon as they are, I will send out another email.

 

Harry began his position in the PD in 1991.  Harry also worked as a College Professor at Sanford Brown College.  Prior to coming to the City, Harry spent over 23 years with St. Louis City, also as a Police Officer. 

 

Please keep Harry’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

 

Thank you,

 

Erin Huett, SPHR

Human Resources Generalist | City of Richmond Heights

1330 S. Big Bend Blvd., Richmond Heights, MO 63117

314.655.3503 Office  | 314.655.3598 Fax

 

 

George Mignerone

Captain Dennis George Mignerone was born on August 19, 1952. He became a professional firefighter on July 7, 1976, when he joined the Webster Groves Fire Department. He attended St. Louis University where he received his Paramedic License on June 30, 1980. In 1998, Dennis was promoted to Captain and assumed the duties as the Chief Medical Officer in charge of the ambulance service for the Department. I can still remember waking the girls up so that we could all watch him leave for work in his brand new white Captain's shirt. That day was one of the proudest days of Dennis's career. On January 21, 2003, Dennis was performing Department prescribed exercises when he suffered a heart attack; he was 50 years old. He served in this great brotherhood for the City of Webster Groves for over 26 years. A couple of days following his death a representative of the fire department was quoted as saying, "Dennis was a leader, a mentor and a friend. He served with honor, courage and integrity and will sorely be missed by all who knew him." One of the last duties Dennis performed was the ordering of the new Ambulance, which now reads on the left and right side, “Dedicated to our Fallen Brother Captain Dennis Mignerone.”

Dennis loved being a Firefighter. He did not consider being a firefighter work; he considered it an honor. The thought of helping others and making a difference in people’s lives was the most important to Dennis. He loved working with 40 of the Best Firefighters around. They were not just coworkers to him; they were his brothers, his family. Since his death, the Webster Groves Firefighters have been there for our family in every way. We are lucky to have them and know that they will always remember MIG.

Not only was Dennis a leader to his co-workers, he was a leader in his community. He served as the Vice President of the Holy Name Society and the Athletic Director at St. Simon Catholic Church for over 8 years, the longest in history of St. Simon to date. It wasn’t very often you didn’t see “Mr. and Mrs. Mig” up at St. Simon‘s cutting grass, painting lines, distributing uniforms, raising money at the annual picnic, or just helping out. He started the Holiday Basketball Tournament 13 years ago and in 2003 it was renamed the Dennis Mignerone Holiday Basketball Tournament. He was honored twice for his service, once in 2000 when he accepted the Man of the Year Award and again in 2003 when his family accepted the St. Simon Holy Name Society Round Table Father Dierker Award, the highest honor there is at St. Simon Catholic Church in his honor.

Paul and Myrtle Mignerone are the proud parents of Dennis, and his two brothers, Donald and Dale. They raised him in St. Louis, MO, where he went to Bayless High School. Dennis lettered in three sports and was active in the band, but more importantly met me, Patricia Pizzella. We were married on November 23, 1973 and were happily in love for over 29 years. Over those 29 years, we hardly did anything apart. We did the small things together like grocery shopping, mowing the grass, or picking the kids up from school. We loved to go to dinner, the movies and the casino boats. Dennis loved to go to Las Vegas. In September of 2002, our daughters sent us there for Dennis's 50th Birthday. Dennis’s philosophy was “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”, but win or lose, what I can tell you is that we were happy, and I will cherish that last vacation for the rest of my life. Several friends have commented that we were like one, I know we still are.

Dennis and I had three daughters, Antoinette, Angela and Amy. Dennis devoted his life to his family. He enjoyed coaching all three of his girls in soccer, volleyball, softball and basketball. He also enjoyed taking our family to the lake and teaching us to water-ski, which was a hobby he grew up doing with his brothers. I cannot remember a time that he missed any part of their lives. Dennis's girls were his pride and joy. I am sure that the firemen got tired of hearing how each one was doing, or what big accomplishment had been achieved, Dennis was always bragging about his girls. He was their father, their coach, their cheerleader and their friend and confidant. He showed them how to love, respect and cherish each other, values that will never be forgotten.

I loved Dennis from the day I met him, loved him during the glorious time we shared, and will continue to love him all the days of my life until I can see him again.

To my beloved husband and our loving Father,
We love you lots, miss you even more and we will never forget you.

Brentwood resident protests: No to outsourcing dispatchers

Brentwood resident protests: No to outsourcing dispatchers