Nation of Heroes Episode 6

About this Episode

Corey talks with Chief Ray Usry of the Pattonville Fire Protection District of St. Louis, MO

Usry joined the Fire Dept. because he wanted to help and serve people. Talks about going to a Pondarosa Steak House after church and seeing a restaurant fire on St. Charles Rock Road. Firefighters and volunteers made a huge impression upon him.

Later, he talked to other firefighters about why they did what they did. He thought fire engines and firefighters were exciting. He started as a volunteer fireman.

More bio information here: https://www.pattonvillefd.com/command-staff-full

Then, they talk about the Fire Departments Community involvement. Santa Claus event is their biggest and best received. Santa Claus visiting neighborhoods in their district began at the kitchen table of the fire house dating back to the early 1970’s.

How community involvement helps them better serve their community because they know their customers. They stay aware of their surroundings and the specific needs for the people they serve.

Now, their community service has changed. They look for ways to serve beyond putting the fire out whether it sheltering their pets while fire victims are in the hospital or taking a victim’s luggage to the fire house and holding it until they get released from the hospital.. They believe in treating fire victims as family.

A firefighter’s version of PTSD and while riding through neighborhoods and remembering fires and how those emergencies ended.

They then talk about the behind-the-scenes at the firehouse. They take care one another and sometimes they interject some strange humor to relieve the stress of the job.

The lore of firehouse food and why their reputation for fixing outstanding meals is so prevalent. It’s family, he explains, so there are family style meals all mostly homemade. Chili seems to be one thing they’re know for, although younger firefighters have introduced lighter, less heavy meals.

One thing he passed along to younger fire fighters is that the job is very communal. All for one and one for all. If there is an event they are involved in, they are all involved and expected to show up.

The Chief then talks about why being a firefighter is a great job because every day presents a different set of challenges.

Pattonville was one of the first districts in the St. Louis area to offer water rescue services.

Heavy rescue is another area they are involved with like disaster rescues like tornado and flood responses.

Pattonville has a wide array of support services they can offer above and beyond putting out fires and responding to emergencies.

They talk about not letting policy or geographic boundaries get in the way of providing services.

How they get kittens and cats out of trees…open a can of cat food and place it bottom of the tree and eventually they come down to eat. Animal rescue happens more than one thinks, and they do not diminish its importance.

Usry sees policy boundaries diminishing over time to get the patient or victim the services it needs faster.