Recovering from a disaster can be a daunting task for affected citizens and first responders alike. The road back to normality can take a long time and is very confusing. BACKGROUND
Beginning in 2015 as a volunteer-led program that provided free assistance for both residents and emergency personnel alike in a small area of St. Charles County we would be called in to provide service to our first responders an/or victims of a fire or disaster. After seeing what we had to offer and gaining more volunteers we slowly began to provide mutual aid to other fire districts within the county. By 2018 we had gained the respect and freedom to be able to dispatch our team anywhere within St. As of late 2022 we have grown into our new role as St. Charles County FIRE REHAB. Charles County FIRE REHAB provide canteen service to all first responders, and victim assistance to families affected by fire or other disasters inside St. Charles County. For responders working during extreme inclement weather, we can provide shelter with heat during the cold months, and shade with misting fans during the summer months, and always a friendly face for our first responders and citizens to see during hard times. PURPOSE & MISSION
St. Charles County FIRE REHAB has been created to:
● Provide immediate hydration and nutritional needs when required by emergency workers, especially those performing difficult work for long periods of time, sometimes in inclement weather; and
● Provide assistance for disaster victims to help them begin their recovery
This assistance for victims may include, but is not limited to:
● After Disaster Guide booklet
● Temporary shelter
● Baby supplies
● Pet supplies
● Clothing
● Comfort items for children
● Referral(s) to other outside resources for longer-term needs
All of the resources and services provided by our agency is at no charge to the public. Our reward is to restore and aid all involved during a disaster. STAFFING
St. Charles County FIRE REHAB relies 100% on volunteers. Currently, we maintain a volunteer staffing of 36 personnel, ready to respond to emergencies at all hours of the day or night, in all types of weather. Periodically, we must replace volunteers who have retired or moved on to maintain our staffing level. This happens perhaps once a year. If you may be interested in becoming a team member, here is some information. EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERS
St. Charles County FIRE REHAB has cultivated very high standards for safety and professionalism when dealing with the public and emergency workers on scene, standards which our volunteers are expected to uphold. To that end:
- Be Over 21 Years of Age
- Clean & Valid Drivers License
- Pass a MSHP Background Check with No Felony Convictions
- Permanently Reside within St. Charles County
- Proof of Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance
- Proof of Personal Health Insurance
- Pay $25 Annual Dues to Help Cover Ongoing Operational Costs
- Be Able to Lift Up to 40lbs
- Be of Good Moral Character
- Attend & Successfully Complete Three Mandatory Training Classes (Fire Ground Safety, Canteen Service, Client Assistance)
● We have a group of team leaders who are there to answer your questions and help support you in any way they can so you can provide exceptional care. Incidents can occur any day of year, at any time of day. Volunteers may be asked to assist during periods of inclement weather and should anticipate being called into service during periods of extreme heat, cold, wind and/or precipitation. Volunteers should be aware that:
● Incidents usually last anywhere from an hour to eight hours or more.
● There may be occasional exposure to drifting smoke.
● Within the “warm zone” (active operations area, but NOT within a burning structure) there may be dangers from firefighter activity, water from hoses, debris on the ground, etc.
● AT NO TIME will volunteers enter any dangerous area on scene. TRAINING
Prior to being assigned to a duty team, new volunteers must undergo mandatory training in several areas:
● Scene Safety
● Canteen Service
● Client Assistance
These classes are all held on one day, on a weekend, and it usually takes about 7 hours to complete. Then, they are issued uniforms and photo ID badges to gain access to emergency scenes. When an emergency arises where the team is to be called out, volunteers are alerted via a telephone app message. RESOURCES
Consumables are obtained from donations, dues, and fund raisers. Supplies can include but are not limited to:
● Powdered Gatorade for electrolyte replacement
● Snacks on-scene; carbohydrates and proteins, both salty and sweet
● Cups for cold and hot drinks
● Coffee for brewing on-scene and all associated sweeteners, creamers, stirs, etc
● Blankets
● Limited clothing items
● Hygiene supplies
● Baby supplies
● Pet supplies
Again, those that benefit from all resources and services are not charged a penny. INCIDENT COMMAND
St. Charles County FIRE REHAB is another resource for use by incident commanders to help bring incidents to a safe conclusion. A response is determined by Team Leaders or on request by an incident commander. Upon being alerted by Dispatch that there is an active fire, the team leaders make the decision to go or not depending on the severity of the incident. If it is decided to go, an alert is sent via a mobile phone app for the volunteer duty team to respond. Upon arrival on scene, the Team Leader notifies the incident commander face-to-face of their arrival and awaits instructions on where to set up. The team remains on scene until released by the incident commander. We can be the last to leave most of the time. APPRECIATION
America was founded with volunteers and that mission is still strong today. Your volunteering for this group is greatly appreciated by all persons involved in emergency mitigation as well as the victims. The intrinsic reward of handing a cold drink to a dehydrated firefighter or offering a blanket and kind word or an ear to listen to the victims cannot be measured. DONATIONS
SCCFR is a registered 501(c)(3) charity and benefits heavily from donations. Ranging from corporations around the region, events, shows and even citizens wanting to help our service. Donated funds are used to purchase consumable items we use during every dispatch. As mentioned above, all resources provided to disaster victims and first responders are at zero charge - No one EVER receives a bill…
Donations are crucial to us continuing to serve all the citizens and first responders of St. If you wish to participate in our fund-raising programs or have scheduled events you wish to invite us to, please contact [email protected]. If you wish to make a private donation, please contact us, or simply use our two main methods below:
Using PayPal to , or paypal.me/SCCFireRehab
Using Venmo to
Donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Contact [email protected] for a tax letter containing information on how to claim tax deductible donations.
