Richmond Heights Fire Department: April 2011

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

HELP THE RED CROSS TORNADO RELIEF EFFORTS

Following damage from severe storms that swept through Missouri and Illinois on Friday night (April 22), the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter continues to provide shelter, food, clothing, damage assessment and casework for families who have been displaced from their homes due to the storms. Trained damage assessment teams are currently in North St. Louis County and other neighborhoods meeting with families to assess needs, provide clean-up supplies and food. Last night, the Red Cross opened a shelter to offer people a safe place to stay, along with emergency care; this shelter will remain open as long as needed. The shelter is located at:

Maryland Heights Community Center
2344 McKelvey Road
Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043

If you are interested in donating to the relief efforts, you can do so online at https://www.redcrossstlstore.org/newdonate.aspx
or you can donate at Richmond Heights City Hall.

The City Hall collection box will accept donations through Friday, May 6th.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Good Friday Storm Pics

RAW: Lambert-St. Louis airport covered in debris

RAW: Lambert-St. Louis airport covered in debris: "Passengers and officials are trying to pick up the pieces after a possible tornado plowed through the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Friday night."

Good Friday Storms

Richmond Heights and Clayton do not appear to have sustained damage in storms that passed through St. Louis on Friday.

"Believe it or not, there was no damage in Richmond Heights that we're aware of," Battalion Chief Tom Nuernberger of the Richmond Heights Fire Department said.

The situation in the city stands in contrast tobattered houses and uprooted trees in places such as Maryland Heights.

Nuernberger said he is unaware of any shelters that have been set up in the east-central corridor for people from other communities affected by the storm, though he said shelters have been set up in the northern parts of St. Louis County.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Off Duty STLPD Officer Killed

KSDK.com | St. Louis, MO | News

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Brentwood Paramedics, Firefighter Honored for Saving Lives

Assistant Fire Chief Bob Kurtz congratulates paramedics Phil Abegg, middle, and Jake Erschen, right, who were awarded letters of commendation during the Brentwood Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday. Abegg and Erschen assisted Second Ward Alderman Mike Marshall after he suffered a heart attack in late January. Credit

During the night of Feb. 4, Brentwood paramedics Eric Rakey and Jake Erschen received a medical call for a man who was experiencing chest pains while inside his vehicle.

After they arrived on the scene, Rakey and Erschen loaded the man onto a stretcher and into an ambulance, where he was connected to a monitor. Once inside, he became unresponsive. The paramedics administered CPR and shocked the man twice before he finally began to breathe again on his own.

"Without question, the paramedics' actions that day saved a life," said Bob Kurtz, assistant chief of the Brentwood Fire Department.

Kurtz awarded Rakey and Erschen letters of commendation during the Brentwood Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday night. Others were honored for their service as well.

Lt. Matt Stoverink was recognized for helping a neighbor while off duty on Jan. 5, when he entered a house that was on fire, found his neighbor in the basement and escorted her outside.

Erschen was again honored, along with his partner, paramedic Phil Abegg, for their service on Jan. 30. They received a medical call for a man experiencing chest pains. When they arrived, the man was sitting on his couch and clutching his chest. He was transported to a hospital, where he went into cardiac arrest shortly after arriving. Erschen and Abegg assisted emergency room staff.

"Paramedics Erchen and Abbeg's dedication, support and desire to never give up is what led to the patient coming stable. Weeks later, this 45-year-old male walked into the fire station to personally thank paramedics Ershen, Abegg and other members of the crew," Kurtz said.

The patient was Second Ward Alderman Mike Marshall, who suffered a heart attack.

"We really appreciate it," said Marshall, whose family was in attendance for the presentation.