FEATURE: Ladue Fire Department

A FIRE Familyy

By drew gieseke

| Photos by Christina Kling-Garrett

EIght LAduE FIREFIghtERs shARE thEIR stoRIEs,s shARE thEIR stoRIEs, FRom LIFELong pAssIons to LIFEsAvIng ActIons.

Nearly two decades have passed since the tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In honor of that dreadful day, members of the Ladue Fire Department shared their stories about how they serve their community and what it means to them.

stEvEn Lynn Fire ChieF

Steven Lynn alwayswanted to help people.This and his father are key inspirations for his life’s work.

“We were the family that would drive up to the firehouseandwait for a firetruck to leave so that we [could] follow them to thescene,” he says.

The21-year vethasserved as Ladue’s fire chief since2010.He’s learned thevalue of camaraderie – how it sustains people through the profession’s life-or-death moments and dailychallenges.

That includes the new coronavirus.Lynn worked alongside his departmentand localleaders toimplementand oversee a safety plan as part of an ongoing responseto the pandemic,noting:“I believe I had an impacton the safety of all first responders working within St.Louis County.” JEFF Johnson ASSiSTANT Fire ChieF

Firefighting is JeffJohnson’s family.

Johnson’s fatherand brotherboth worked as firefighters,his stepson was just recently hired as a firefighter/paramedic in St.Louis County, and his grandfather onceserved as fire captain with theCity of St.Louis.But the connectionsgobackevenfurtherthan that,to his great-grandfather.

“He drove the firetruck in the old horse-pulled engine days and started his career in1898,” Johnson says.

Although he never imagined himself as assistant fire chief,Johnson’s learned to relish the role,which he’s held for nine years.He takes particular pride in enforcingbuilding codes and collaborating with residents.

“I strongly feelthatthis community becomes saferand safereachyear,” Johnson says.

This is a ‘fire family’ that I’m blessed to

have and would not trade

it for anything.” – Trevor Woodside

Clayton Boyd Lieutenant

Self-described “quiet professional” Lieutenant ClaytonBoyd became a firefighter after high school, fulfilling a lifelong drive to help others, and Boyd’s passionfor his hometown continues toinspire him.

Struggles remain. Boyd acknowledges that tragedycanoccureven when his team does everything right.

But it comes back to the people you serve. Boyd lists a numberof impactfulmoments during his tenure,including saving acardiac arrest victim, facing his first structure fire and evendelivering a baby.

However, he’s not interested in recognition, Boyd notes,adding:“Taking the skills and knowledge that youhave acquired andputting them into practice to produce a greatoutcome is something that never gets old, even after 16years.”

larry Pfaff Lieutenant

LieutenantLarry Pfaff’s pathchanged dramatically in his third decade.The Air Force vet-turned-firefighter responded to a devastating vehicle accidentthat onlygot worse when his partnersuffered a majorheartattack.

“We … used the AED [automated external defibrillator] to shock him three times and continuedCPRuntil theambulancearrived,” says Pfaff, who had limited medical training at the time.

The mansurvived,and Pfaff ’s experience compelledhimtobecome an EMT, thena p aramedic.Now, he’s been with the Ladue Fire Departmentfor nine years.

Pfaff’s story suggests thechallenges firefighters face –andinspiring commitments they make.“People say we as firefighters are crazy for doing what we do,” he notes,“but we do it becausewe know that we are needed in the worst times of a person’s life.”

Mike rose Captain

Firefightingwasn’t Mike Rose’s first love.

“Growing up,Iwanted to fly helicopters or become a veterinarian,” he says.“The firefighter avenue just kind ofhappened. I am so happy that it did.”

The25-year vethas been with thecity for nine years, three of whichhe’s spent at his current post.He oversees the day-to-day operations of the engine house– and takes a lot of pride in it.

To him, some of the most rewarding moments on the job come when the team receives praise for something thatseems mundane.

“This only happens when youmeetand exceed thoseexpectations,” Rosesays.“This happens often for us,which is a directreflection onmycrew.”

trevor Woodside FireFighter paramediC

TrevorWoodside knows thatfirefightersneed support systems.

Woodside hasserved with the department since2007and has worked in firefighting since 1992– a long timeserving others.

Between48-hour shifts and on-duty work duringanniversariesand holidays,firefighters rely on their families at home and in the firehouse.Woodside counts himself lucky that he represents Ladue.

“We have a great support system with each other,our family at home and theCity of Ladue,” Woodsidesays.

He stresses that the department comprises skilled professionals who work together no matter the task at hand – something he cherishes deeply: “This is a ‘fire family’ that I’m blessed to have and would not trade it for anything.”

tyler Bone FireFighter paramediC

Tyler Bone’s fire family stood by his side when tragedy struck.

In2019,Bone’s son Barrett passed away unexpectedly. The Ladue fire crew backed him then and still backs him now.

“My brother firefighters came together and helped my family and me tremendously, and for that I will always be extremely humbled and thankful,” he says.

While he worked through grief,the Ladue fire team took care of Bone’s lawn, bought groceries, raised money for his family and even worked several of Bone’s shifts.

“In short,they more than proved to me what this family is all about,” he says.“When one of us is in trouble,everyone steps up and takes care of that individual who is down.”

derek roux Captain

An importantlesson aboutfirefighting has stuck with Derek Roux since his career began: Firefightersare advocatesfor theircommunity.

“We have the opportunity and privilege to be educatorsforthe communities in whichwe serve,” he says.

Roux has been with Ladue for17years, eachday committingtothis mentality. He’s also expanded his expertiseelsewhere,as the trained EMT recently completed a degree in paramedicineand willearn his master’s degree inthe nearfuture.

Fortrue commitment, Roux remembersSept. 11, 2001.“They knew that dying while doing their a bsolute bestwas better than living the rest of their lives knowing they didn’t try to save the people trapped,” he says of first responders on that day.

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School Year

Updates By Maggie Peters

Chaminade College Preparatory School

425 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 314-993-4400, chaminade-stl.org Grades 6-12, boys

Chaminade is pleased to be holding in-person, face-to-face classes for this school year. Students and staff perform a daily health screening via the Chaminade app. The school has created an environment that ensures compliance with social distancing, hand sanitizing and mask-wearing protocols. Safety is Chaminade’s No. 1 priority.

Community School

900 Lay Road, 314-991-0005, communityschool.com Age 3 to 6th grade, coed

Community School is offering on-campus education five days a week in addition to distance learning. With the support of its Health and Safety Task Force, the school has established robust guidelines, including increased health and cleaning procedures, an upgraded HVAC system, frequent use of outdoor spaces and supplemental technology for online instruction.

Cor Jesu Academy

10230 Gravois Road, 314-842-1546, allheart.corjesu.org/visit Grades 9-12, girls

Cor Jesu Academy is bringing its special spirit to eighth graders with its new, virtual 8th Grade Shadow Experience. Participants will learn about the curriculum directly from CJA faculty, enjoy a virtual tour of the school and connect with current students via “Charger Chats” to learn about CJA traditions and student-life. Go online to register today.

John Burroughs School

755 S. Price Road, 314-933-4404, jburroughs.org Grades 7-12, coed Teachers and students at Burroughs have been flexible, resilient and resourceful as they navigated distance learning, supported by caring and engaged parents, guardians and alums. Burroughs plans to use a hybrid model of online learning and socially distanced classroom teaching that will respond to the health and safety needs of students and faculty.

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

101 N. Warson Road, 314-995-7367, micds.org Grades JK-12, coed MICDS welcomed students back this fall with appropriate health and safety precautions in place. Middle and Upper School students are learning in a synchronous virtual environment, with the option to “Zoom in” from home or from a supervised classroom on campus. Lower School students chose in-person learning or a virtual learning program.

Rossman School

12660 Conway Road, 314-434-5877, rossmanschool.org Grades JK-6, coed

Rossman has prepared for the new year with extensive safety protocols, additional personnel, classroom modifications such as desk guards and every inch of campus leveraged to facilitate physical distancing and small cohorts. Rossman students are fully engaged in a mission-driven program and enjoying every moment with friends and teachers.

Ursuline Academy

341 S. Sappington Road, 314-984-2800, ursulinestl.org Grades 9-12, girls

Ursuline Academy has implemented a hybrid learning model for the 2020-21 school year. The reopening committee focused on three central concerns: the safety of students and co-workers, the delivery of a high-quality education and the opportunity for student participation in activities outside of the classroom that enrich their educational experience.

Whitfield School

175 S. Mason Road, 314-434-5141, whitfieldschool.org Grades 6-12, coed Whitfield’s campus reentry plan is built on four strategies: stable cohort learning, habits and community, tracing and trending, and layered risk mitigation. Families chose between in-person learning (88 percent) and live remote learning (12 percent). Substantial investments in technology, professional development and PPE (personal protective equipment) allow for a challenging academic experience, whether a student is learning at home or on campus.

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School

801 S. Spoede Road, 314-432-2021, vdoh.org/admissions/welcome Grades JK-6, boys; 7-12, girls

Villa Duchesne has worked all summer to welcome students back, having implemented social distancing, schedule changes, masks and wellness checks. Students are learning in-person every day on the school’s spacious campus, and classroom cameras and an academic plan are in place to support remote learners. The school is building community with virtual assemblies and prayer.

The Wilson School

400 De Mun Ave., 314-725-4999, wilsonschool.com Age 3 to 6th grade, coed In order to ensure the health and well-being of the community, Wilson is implementing the use of technical services; face masks and enhanced hand hygiene; regular campus cleaning; and monitoring possible exposures and infections. Families can choose between in-person and ConnectEd, allowing the school to adapt to individual needs and changes that occur.