History

In the mid 1800’s The Village of Wright City was formed as a railway stop for the Western Expansion. During the mid to late 1800’s a Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed for the Village of Wright City. In 1895 the Wright City Fire Department was formed. At that time a Hand Drawn Hose Reel was purchased which is still in possession of the Fire District today. In 1947 the Wright City Fire Department purchased its first Motorized Pumper, which the Fire District today still has in its possession. For financial support the Wright City Fire Department used a Fire Tag System. The Wright City Fire Protection District was formed in 1972 by vote of the citizens and moved from City Hall to its present location 396 N W 2nd Street.

The District is located in East Central Missouri approximately 45 miles west of the City of St. Louis. The District currently protects approximately 92 square miles in the North East portion of Warren County and on the Southern portion of Lincoln County. The incorporated cities within the Districts boundaries include, City of Wright City, Foristell, Village of Innsbrook, Incline Village, and the unincorporated Warren County and Lincoln County. The correct ISO rating as of 1989 is class 6 within a 1000 feet of a fire hydrant and 9 not within a distance to a fire hydrant.

The Board of Directors and Administration

The district is governed by a fire member Board of Directors (The Board) elected at large to 6 year terms. Our board members are: Keith Thompson, Dan West, Larry Zuhone, Randy Lewis and Rudy Jovanovic.

The day to day operations of the district are managed by the Fire Chief under the direction of The Board. In addition to certain administrative duties, the Fire Chief makes recommendations to The Board concerning the budget, building plans, staffing and purchasing. The Districts current Fire Chief, Brain Nickerson, has been serving the District since 2004. He has 20 years of experience in the fire service. Other members of the Administrative Staff include a Career Assistant Chief, and a Career Fire Inspector.

Employees

The District currently has 35 volunteers and 8 full time paid employees. Of the paid employees, the District employs the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief/Training, Fire Inspector, Administrative Assistant, one Captain, and 3 Firefighters. Of the volunteer currently there are two Captains and the remainder are firefighters. The District also has 12 persons in the current academy at this time.