History of the Fenton Fire District
The Fenton Fire Department was officially established in 1932 because of
two devastating fires in an eight-block area now known today as "Old Town."
The department began operating with only one fire truck and was staffed by
volunteers. The truck was named "Old Betsy" and served the community of
Fenton for may years. The 1940's and 1950's brought about an era of definite
changes and advancement for the fire department. In 1959, the department
became a tax supported fire district, allowing them to staff the trucks with
full-time, paid personnel as well as maintaining a volunteer staff. The fire
district ultimately phased out the volunteers as budgets allowed more full
time personnel.
Steady growth in both industrialization and population brought about the need for a second station. It was built in 1963 at 1385 Horan Drive. 1n 1987, Station Number Three was built at 1620 Smizer Mill Road. Later that year, two advanced life support ambulances were added to the districts and staffed with paramedics. The district accepted the advancements in technology as a challenge. Station Number Four was built in 1992 at 12500 Rott Road in Sunset Hills. In 1996, a third ALS ambulance was placed in service.
Today the Fenton Fire Protection District maintains four stations
serving a population of 65,000, covers 26 square miles, and employs 62 personnel
all cross trained as firefighters, EMT's, and paramedics. Fire apparatus include
3 pumpers, 2 65' Telesqurt ladders, 4 ambulances, one rescue boat, one
mini-pumper, and various staff and maintenance vehicles. In 2002, Fenton Fire
Protection District responded to 3,234 requests for emergency assistance. Of
those, 2,337 alarms were for emergency medical services including rescues, and
897 alarms were for fire related calls. The average response time for Fenton
Fire District apparatus is under 4 minutes.
The Fenton Fire Protection District is proud to boast a rating an ISO (Insurance Service Office) rating of 3 which is the "Best" rating possible in St. Louis County. The 2004 residential property tax rate for the Fenton Fire Protection District is 77 cents per $100, reflecting the best in St. Louis County.