Hanging Around: Area Firefighters Train on Ropes

The Crestwood Fire Department attended the training in Clayton last week.

A fire in a high rise building is a rare occurrence, but area firefighters spent last week training for just such an occasion. Crestwood firefighters joined the Clayton Fire Department on a high angle rope rescue class. Firefighters from Clayton, Brentwood, Frontenac, Kirkwood, Maplewood, University City and St. Louis City were also in attendance. The firefighters learned how to rescue people from high places using rescue ropes. The training included mock drills on how to get people up and down narrow spaces, like elevator shafts. 

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Crestwood Honors Retiring Fire Captain

Capt. Thomas Knapp served the city's fire department for nearly 40 years.

Crestwood's Board of Aldermen honored Capt. Thomas A. Knapp, who is retiring after serving the city for the past 38 years, serving as a firefighter, driver and paramedic, according to city documents.

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Crestwood Welcomes New Firefighter

Kristopher Hamm was sworn in at the Board of Aldermen's Feb. 12 meeting.

Kristopher Hamm is the Crestwood Fire Department's newest addition, and will serve as a firefighter/paramedic. Hamm was sworn in last Tuesday at the Board of Aldermen's regular meeting.

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David Oliveri Promoted to Crestwood Assistant Fire Chief

David Oliveri took his oath of office at the Jan. 22 Board of Aldermen meeting.

Crestwood Assistant Fire Chief David Oliveri replaces Mark Menning, who was promoted to Fire Chief at the beginning of the month. Former Fire Chief Karl Kestler, who's still sitting in at Crestwood meetings as acting city administrator, retired from his position at the fire department on Jan. 1. 

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St. Louis County Police: Crestwood House Fire Ruled Accidental

The department's Bomb and Arson unit investigated the fire because a resident suffered burns, Crestwood Fire Chief Mark Menning said.

Bystander Pulled Injured Resident From Crestwood House Fire

A male resident was injured, but Crestwood Fire Chief Mark Menning could not comment on his condition Wednesday night. St. Louis County officials will determine the cause of the fire, he said.

Updated: One Injured During House Fire in Crestwood

A male resident suffered burns, though Chief Mark Menning couldn't comment on his condition. St. Louis County Bomb & Arson unit determined the fire was accidental.

[Editor's note: This article was updated Jan. 11 at 3:30 p.m. to include comments from St. Louis County Police.] St. Louis County Police officials said a house fire that left one Crestwood man injured Wednesday was accidental.  Crestwood fire officials first responded to the house fire at 9542 Big Bend Blvd. around 4:30 p.m. A bystander pulled a disabled man from the burning home, Crestwood Fire Chief Mark Menning said. He said no other residents were home at the time of the fire but believed the injured man did not live alone.  KSDK confirmed the resident was helped by Marc Stevener, a neighbor who was driving by at the time. Menning could not comment on the condition of the victim to Patch Wednesday night, but a relative of the man told …

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Crestwood Staff Say Goodbye to Fire Chief

Crestwood Fire Chief Karl Kestler retired Jan. 1.

Crestwood Mayor Jeff Schlink and Assistant Fire Chief Mark Menning recently spoke with Call newspapers on Fire Chief Karl Kestler's departure from the city.  The 37-year fire department veteran retired Jan. 1, Call reports. Read the full story. Kestler also served as acting city administrator as the city searches for a full-time replacement. Menning was named Kestler's successor in November.

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Crestwood Purchases New Fire Truck

A portion of the costs for the $511,315 truck will be paid through a federal grant.

This month the Crestwood Board of Aldermen approved the purchase of a new fire truck for the Crestwood Fire Department, a portion of which will be paid with a federal grant. Fire Chief Karl Kestler said an advisory committee reviewed the six bids that were submitted in September. They recommended an engine manufactured by Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. at $511,315.  Last year the department received $342,000 from a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant. The city has also accrued roughly $210,000 in previous budgets to finanace the purchase, according to a memo from Chief Kestler. "I just wanted to recognize you and the department for getting the grant for the lion's share of this fire truck. It made an absolute difference and it should be …

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