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Hanging Around: Area Firefighters Train on Ropes

The Clayton Fire Department hosted the training 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. The Clayton Fire Department hosted a high angle rope rescue class for firefighters from Clayton, Brentwood, Crestwood, Frontenac, Kirkwood, Maplewood, University City and St. Louis City. 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.  Join Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Firefighters Battle Two-Alarm Blaze in Clayton on Friday Morning

The fire broke out at a home in the 6400 block of Cecil Avenue around 4 a.m.

A home in Clayton went up in flames Friday morning, but officials report all the residents made it out safely. The Clayton Fire Department battled a a two-alarm at a two-story home in the 6400 block of Cecil Avenue. The fire reportedly started around 4:30 a.m. According to KMOV, crews from Shrewsbury, Richmond Heights, Brentwood Fire Department and Ladue fire departments assisted in the containing the flames. Clayton Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Paul V. Mercurio said University City Fire Department, Webster and City of St. Louis crews also assisted with the blaze. "It was under control fairly quickly," Mercurio told Patch. "It was contained to the building." The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the residents. For more …

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Justice Center Declared Safe in Clayton After Gas Smell Reported

Officials found no evidence of a leak, KSDK NewsChannel 5 reported.

*Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the building evacuated Wednesday afternoon. It is the Buzz Westfall Justice Center. This article has been updated to reflect the correct building. The Buzz Westfall Justice Center in downtown Clayton has been been declared safe after someone reporting smelling gas inside, KSDK NewsChannel 5 reported. No leak was found. Initial reports indicated people had been asked to leave the building at about 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, but KSDK said people chose to leave voluntarily. At about 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, emergency officials moved onlookers back to a surface parking lot across the street. Firefighters from the Clayton Fire Department and Richmond Heights Fire Department arrived…

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Clayton Firefighters Respond to Report of Smoke in Bemiston Avenue Building

They found the source of the smoke and ventilated the building.

The Clayton Fire Department reported to a report of heavy smoke in the building at 230 South Bemiston Avenue around 9:30 Monday night. Firefighters determined that an elevator motor was the cause of the smoke. They turned off the motor and ventilated the building. They were on the scene for about an hour. The University City Fire Department was there also.

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Clayton Firefighter Barbecue to Benefit Breast Cancer Research

The event, in its second year, will happen Oct. 4, 2012.

Representatives of the Clayton Fire Department will host a barbecue Oct. 4 to raise money for breast cancer research, firefighter and paramedic Bryan Brielmaier said. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire department, located on North Bemiston Avenue. Visitors will pay between $6 and $8 for a full meal, which includes a main dish and two side dishes. Main dishes will include pulled pork, hamburger, chicken and hot dog. T-shirts also will be on sale for $20. All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Additional information is available by calling 314-290-8485 or by going to claytonmo.gov. More about the Clayton Fire Department barbecue on Patch:

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PHOTOS: September 11 Heroes Honored by Clayton Fire Department

Firefighters and members of the public remembered emergency responders who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., with a memorial stair climb in downtown. Tuesday marks the 11th anniversary of the attacks.

This week, firefighters with the Clayton Fire Department remembered emergency responders who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, by hosting a memorial stair climb for officials and the public. The event happened at the Pierre Laclede Center high-rise downtown. Patch wishes to thank Chief Mark Thorp, Capt. Brian Neukirch, Darren Young and the Clayton Fire Department for sharing these images. Click here to view the complete photo gallery on the Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch page on Facebook. More about September 11 on Patch:

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Clayton Fire Fighters Climb Stairs to Honor Fallen 9/11 Heroes

The event will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

September 9th the Clayton Fire Department will host the first 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. They will climb 110 stories in the Pierre Laclede Building--a 24 story building--while carrying firefighting equipment. Some climbers are expected to tackle the stairs in full gear. Each will carry a photo and bio of one of the 343 New York fire fighters who lost their lives in the collapase of the World Trade Center in September 11th, 2001. Those New York emergency workers who gave their lives on 9/11 were attempting to reach victims by using the stair case of the 110 story tower. The stair climb is both a memorial to fallen heros and fund raiser. Fire deparment officials also said the event is a way for emergency worker to prove their commitment to …

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LETTER: Fire Sprinklers Can Save Lives in Clayton, Richmond Heights

New lightweight construction methods and materials are making it harder and more dangerous for St. Louis firefighters to safely extinguish blazes and for occupants to escape safely, President Russell Fleming of the National Fire Sprinkler Association writ

Clayton Firefighters Seek Raise

The request comes as city officials review the proposed budget for fiscal year 2013.

Kurt Becker said the union he represents has had a positive relationship with Clayton city staff and elected officials for a long time. So he's hopeful they will consider a request by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2665 to approve a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for fire and police officials. A copy of that request is attached to this article as a PDF. A memo from City Manager Craig Owens to Mayor Linda Goldstein and the Clayton Board of Aldermen lays out the rationale for the pay arrangement identified in the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. "A variety of factors, including decreased revenue and increased expenditures, continue to challenge the city," the memo states. "To aid in determining our course…

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