BFPD

The Boles Fire District was formed in 1971 by a merging of the Labadie Fire Department and the Gray Summit Fire Department.

The Gray Summit Fire Department originated in 1944 while the Labadie Fire Department was formed in 1953. When the departments combined in 1971, the Gray Summit Station was named Boles Fire Station #1 and the Labadie Fire Station Became Station #2. In 1972, Station 3 was built in Villa Ridge. Then, in 1973 land was donated to build Station 4 in St. Albans. In 1985 a new building was constructed in Labadie for Station 2 and the old Station 2 (currently located at Front street and Hwy T) became Station 5 and is a storage building for the District and Downtown Labadie. In 2005 an addition was required for Station 2. A 2 story building containing administration downstairs and a training room upstairs was added. Behind the existing engine bay, 3 bunk rooms and a living room area was added to house 24 hour personnel. Since Boles does 80% of their own maintenance on fire apparatus, a maintenance building was also constructed behind the remodeled building. In 2007 a new fire station was constructed in St. Albans and in 2008 a new Station #3 was also built in Villa Ridge. At the beginning of 2011 the final fire station will be finished just up the road from Station #1 in Gray Summit. All 4 stations have room for the future of Boles Fire District.

The Fire District began as an all volunteer fire donation system and $4 per year was paid to have your home protected. It has grown into a full-service, combination (career & reserve) Fire District. When the District formed the members consisted of a 3 person board of directors, a chief, and about 15 volunteer firemen. Their call volume consisted of a handful of calls per year.

In the last 36 years many people have dedicated countless hours of time to serving this community. In 2001 Chief Jim Casey was hired as a full time fire chief. In 2003 a full time administrative assistant was hired. In 2004 8 career firefighter EMT's were also added to the staff. In 2006 and 2008 2 more career Firefighter/ EMT's were hired. Today the District fire stations #1 & #2 are staffed with career staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Fire stations #3 and #4 are reserve only engine houses with firefighters responding from their homes to the station. The District is working hard to staff reserves at all of the engine houses to promote quicker response times. The District responds to over 1100 calls each year.

History