27-year veteran is new Kansas City interim fire chief

Kansas City has announced its new interim fire chief as 27-year veteran Ross Grundyson. Grundyson takes over for KCFD Chief Donna Lake, who left the job after three years to become the assistant city manager for the City of Lee’s Summit. Grundyson will take purely an interim role as chief. The city is conducting a nationwide search for the next fire chief, and has said Grundyson is not in the running for the permanent job. Grundyson joined the Kansas City Fire Department in 1996, moving from captain to battalion chief, to assistant fire chief. The city said he played “an instrumental role” in guiding the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and broadened paramedic support for city residents. “I am proud and thankful for the opportunity to serve not only the citizens of Kansas City, but my fellow Kansas City Fire Department family as well,” Grundyson said.
KCTV-TV CBS 5 Kansas City

Ste. Genevieve County house fire brings out 8 fire departments

Nearly all area volunteer fire departments from 2 counties (Ozora to Weingarten to Hematite and in between) plus Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s deputies and Ste. Genevieve County Ambulance District responded late last night (Thurs.1.26.2023) to a house fire at 11066 Pleasant Heights off U.S. Highway 61 just north of Bloomsdale Elementary School. The fire was called in around 10:30 p.m. and firefighters wrapped up around 3 a.m. Friday morning. Eight fire departments from Ste. Genevieve and Jefferson counties arrived. The house appears to be in total ruin as some flames were seen and heavy smoke was clearly visible throughout the entire roof. The residents were home and no one appears to have been injured.
Ste. Genevieve Herald

Oak Grove boy has rock-solid plan to raise money for police, fire departments

VIDEO: A Missouri boy is using his talents to give back to the community in hopes of helping other children who find themselves in similar situations. Luca Licata is a third grader at Oak Grove Elementary School. He suffered from Bells Palsey when he was in Kindergarten. An ambulance transported the little boy to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Licata said he was scared in the ambulance, but said emergency crews gave him a special stuffed animal to hold, making the ride better. He started painting rocks to raise money. The money he makes is donated to the Sni Valley Fire Protection District and Oak Grove Police Department. “I donate a thousand dollars to both of them, then they can buy something they couldn’t buy with the payment they get,” Licata said. He’s already donated more than $1,400 to the departments.
WDAF-TV FOX 4 Kansas City

Fire totals Springfield house

The Springfield Fire Department responded to a house fire at Nettleton and Webster on Thursday, January 26, at about 8 p.m. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, but Springfield Fire Captain Chad Davis said the house is a total loss. Captain Davis said that the fire department conducted a search, but the house appeared to be vacant so no one was injured. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
KOLR-TV CBS 10 Springfield

Fire damages Bridgeton gas station store

A fire damaged part of a Bridgeton gas station store Wednesday afternoon. The fire happened at the BP gas station in the 11000 block of St. Charles Rock Road. Fire crews say no one was hurt, and the fire was under control within 12 minutes of responding. Investigators say the fire possibly started due to an overloaded electrical system. Someone inside the building smelled smoke, noticed the flames and quickly prompted others to evacuate the building. The BP is currently closed due to some electrical component issues and water damage. Crews will inspect the store before determining when it might be able to reopen.
KTVI-TV FOX 2 St. Louis

Firefighters battle duplex fire in Springfield, 1 injured

Firefighters say one person suffered critical injuries in a duplex fire in Springfield. Firefighters responded to the fire around 5:30 p.m. near Kimbrough and Monastery. That is near James River Freeway. Several firefighters are battling the fire. Investigators say the victim’s injuries appear critical. Firefighters are investigating what caused the fire.
KYTV NBC 3 Springfield

Firefighters free students, custodian trapped in elevator at Jefferson County middle school

Five Antonia Middle School students got trapped last week in an elevator stuck between floors, and in a separate incident later that same day, a custodian got trapped in the elevator when it got stuck. No one was endangered or injured in either incident, the Antonia Fire Protection District reported. Antonia Middle Principal Matt Metz said Monday, Jan. 23, that the elevator still was not working, and the school, 6798 St. Luke’s Church Road, in Barnhart is waiting for a part needed to repair it. Metz said he didn’t know when the part would arrive and when the elevator would be repaired. He also said he does not know what caused the elevator to twice get stuck between the school’s first and second floors. Antonia Fire got a call around 11:05 a.m. Jan. 18 about the students getting stuck in the elevator, Deputy Chief Bobby Chrisco said.
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