Services And Responsibilities
Fire Services
The RHFD consists of the Fire Chief and 22 full-time firefighters, which includes three Battalion Chiefs and three Captains. The firefighters are divided into three crews, each of which works 48 consecutive hours starting at 7:30 a.m. Crew assignments call for being on duty for two days and then off duty for the following four days (48-on/96-off).
Each crew consists of one Battalion Chief, one Captain and five Firefighters, each of which has completed various levels of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) training denoting them as being Paramedics and/or registered nurses. All RHFD personnel have also successfully completed a demanding 10-week training program at the St. Louis County Fire Academy and have received certification of completion from the academy.
Emergency Medical Services
The Fire Department assists citizens by providing blood pressure checks, conducting classes in CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, automatic external defibrillator use, as well as first aid and safety instruction.
Some EMS services are billable. If you have questions about an EMS bill, please contact the Fire Department at 314-645-8800.
Public Outreach Programs
Members of the RHFD visit all schools within the City annually in October and provide training to elementary students on different themes of fire prevention during National Fire Prevention Week.
Other community services activities and special events that the RHFD participate in are National Night Out Against Crime® block parties, other holiday block parties, and city organized events such as Party on the Pavement.
The RHFD distributes free smoke detectors as well as detector battery replacement for the citizens of Richmond Heights. We are available to install them for residents who are unable to do it for themselves. To schedule smoke detector services, please contact the Fire Department at 314-645-8800 or by email at LVanCleave@richmondheights.org. Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Mutual Aid
Mutual aid agreements exist among about 55 firefighting jurisdictions within Missouri - some as far away as Wentzville and Cedar Hill. Mutual aid agreements with the City of St. Louis are especially critical to Richmond Heights. The St. Louis FD has state-of-the-art equipment that is effectively used in unique situations, such as a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) spills on the highway, or heavy rescue incidents.
Training
Training within Fire Services and within EMS is an ongoing process. The RHFD staff records many classroom hours in disciplines such as Fire Science, EMS, Management, Safety, Hazardous Materials, Management Training and Safety Training. EMS Training is coordinated with St. Mary's Hospital, and Fire Training is coordinated with the 3 neighboring communities of Clayton, Brentwood, and Maplewood under the Central Core Training Group.
Inspections
The International Fire Code requires that all commercial establishments be inspected for possible fire code violations annually. This includes churches, schools, businesses, occupancies at the Galleria Mall and the many facilities at SSM St. Mary's Health Center. The Fire Department works along with the Building Department to ensure that this important function is completed each year.
Dispatching
Dispatching for Richmond Heights Police and Fire Departments is done through a seven-city consortium known as East Central Dispatch Center (ECDC). Although housed in the Richmond Heights Public Safety building, ECDC is a separate entity from all participating agencies.
The RHFD consists of the Fire Chief and 22 full-time firefighters, which includes three Battalion Chiefs and three Captains. The firefighters are divided into three crews, each of which works 48 consecutive hours starting at 7:30 a.m. Crew assignments call for being on duty for two days and then off duty for the following four days (48-on/96-off).
Each crew consists of one Battalion Chief, one Captain and five Firefighters, each of which has completed various levels of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) training denoting them as being Paramedics and/or registered nurses. All RHFD personnel have also successfully completed a demanding 10-week training program at the St. Louis County Fire Academy and have received certification of completion from the academy.
Emergency Medical Services
The Fire Department assists citizens by providing blood pressure checks, conducting classes in CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, automatic external defibrillator use, as well as first aid and safety instruction.
Some EMS services are billable. If you have questions about an EMS bill, please contact the Fire Department at 314-645-8800.
Public Outreach Programs
Members of the RHFD visit all schools within the City annually in October and provide training to elementary students on different themes of fire prevention during National Fire Prevention Week.
Other community services activities and special events that the RHFD participate in are National Night Out Against Crime® block parties, other holiday block parties, and city organized events such as Party on the Pavement.
The RHFD distributes free smoke detectors as well as detector battery replacement for the citizens of Richmond Heights. We are available to install them for residents who are unable to do it for themselves. To schedule smoke detector services, please contact the Fire Department at 314-645-8800 or by email at LVanCleave@richmondheights.org. Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Mutual Aid
Mutual aid agreements exist among about 55 firefighting jurisdictions within Missouri - some as far away as Wentzville and Cedar Hill. Mutual aid agreements with the City of St. Louis are especially critical to Richmond Heights. The St. Louis FD has state-of-the-art equipment that is effectively used in unique situations, such as a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) spills on the highway, or heavy rescue incidents.
Training
Training within Fire Services and within EMS is an ongoing process. The RHFD staff records many classroom hours in disciplines such as Fire Science, EMS, Management, Safety, Hazardous Materials, Management Training and Safety Training. EMS Training is coordinated with St. Mary's Hospital, and Fire Training is coordinated with the 3 neighboring communities of Clayton, Brentwood, and Maplewood under the Central Core Training Group.
Inspections
The International Fire Code requires that all commercial establishments be inspected for possible fire code violations annually. This includes churches, schools, businesses, occupancies at the Galleria Mall and the many facilities at SSM St. Mary's Health Center. The Fire Department works along with the Building Department to ensure that this important function is completed each year.
Dispatching
Dispatching for Richmond Heights Police and Fire Departments is done through a seven-city consortium known as East Central Dispatch Center (ECDC). Although housed in the Richmond Heights Public Safety building, ECDC is a separate entity from all participating agencies.