The Great Fire Engine Rally of 2010 :: GreatFireRally.com - Letter from Fire Chief Dennis M. Jenkerson

Home

Letter from Fire Chief Dennis M. Jenkerson

A letter from Fire Chief Dennis M. Jenkerson of the St. Louis Fire Department:

            Hello and welcome to the web site for the Great Fire Engine Rally. Here you will find all the information you need about this year’s 27th Annual Rally. Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, September 11, 2010. Having the rally on Saturday seems to make it easier for everyone traveling and planning. This year’s Rally will have an extra special meaning as it falls on the anniversary of the tragic events that took the lives of 343 of our fellow firefighters in New York City in 2001. Last year’s rally was a huge success and we hope to continually make it better with each year that passes. The location of the rally will once again be on Lenora K. Sullivan Blvd. directly below the Gateway Arch. This makes for some fantastic photo opportunities of all the people, trucks and activities in the shadow of the Arch! St. Louis is a wonderful, family-friendly area with many great places to see and visit but nothing says St. Louis like the Gateway Arch.

            The St. Louis Fire Department has over 150 years of tradition and service to the community. We work very hard at being the best for our citizens and the surrounding communities. In St. Louis County alone, there are over 40 paid and combination departments and they are all top notch. We are very fortunate to be surrounded by so many great departments. St. Louis City and the metro area departments have established a great mutual aid program and we help each other out on a regular basis. The Great Fire Engine Rally is no different. When you come to St. Louis for the Rally, you are going to have a chance to see everyone working together to provide you and your family with a safe, educational and fun- filled day the entire family will enjoy. This event is hosted by the St. Louis Fire Department but without the support of the greater St. Louis Metro Fire Departments, this event would not be possible.

            Back by popular demand is the Great Firefighters’ Ball. Last year was the second year for the Firefighters’ Ball and it was a huge success! It will be held the night before the rally on Friday, September 10. The Firefighters’ Ball begins with a silent auction followed by a wonderful meal and ends with a great band providing music for dancing and fellowship for everyone in attendance. Most importantly, the proceeds from the auction and Ball go to the Backstoppers organization. See the link on this web site for more information about the Firefighters’ Ball.

            Again this year, a very special event will take place on Thursday, September 9th. The 2nd Annual Fallen Firefighters’ Candlelight Remembrance Vigil will commence at 8 PM. The event will be held at the Firefighter Statue located across from City Hall at the NW corner of Market and Tucker in downtown St. Louis. This is a wonderful way to pay tribute to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Two new events have also been added to this year’s Great Fire Engine Rally. On Sunday, September 12th, the 1st Annual Firefighters’ Worship Service will be held in beautiful Lafayette Park at 9 AM. The service will be near the SW corner of Park and Mississippi in the City of St. Louis. This will be a non-denominational service and everyone is welcome to attend. This will be an outdoor service but we have a rain location just in case so join us rain or shine.

Last but not least, starting at 7 AM on Sunday morning at the Lafayette Fire Company No. 1 (http://www.lafayettefirecompany.com/), we will have the Breakfast for Burn Camp. It will be a HUGE Breakfast Buffet, and all the proceeds will go to Missouri Children's Burn Camp. The breakfast will run from 7 AM until 2 PM.

            I would like to personally invite everyone to our great city for this wonderful weekend of events. If you are a firefighter, fire buff, or a citizen who loves fire trucks, the fire service and the people who answer the call, this is a great opportunity to come and help us celebrate the long & rich history of the fire service.

            Please take a look around on the site, register your fire truck for the parade, sign up for the firefighters’ challenge, or reserve a spot to sell your collectables. Have a safe summer, and we’ll see you in September under the Gateway Arch!

Respectfully,

Dennis M. Jenkerson
Fire Chief