Robert “Steve” Arnold  graduated in 1972. He participated in the CO-OP program, attending O’Fallon Technical H.S. for half of each school day and Roosevelt the second half, receiving his diploma from Roosevelt and a Certification in Aero Mechanics from O’Fallon Tech.

After graduation, Steve worked in the manufacturing industry until 1975 when he became a firefighter for the Community Fire Protection District in North St. Louis County. In 1979, he joined the Pattonville Fire Protection District, where he served for the remainder of his 33-year career.

During Chief Arnold’s career, he served in all ranks from Firefighter to Fire Chief. Steve was promoted to Fire Chief in January 1999 and served in this position for nine years. Steve was responsible for managing a professional Fire Rescue/EMS Service with sixty-five employees, three Fire Stations, covering over twenty-nine square miles. and overseeing an annual 14-million-dollar budget.

Chief Arnold was responsible for the Fire/EMS/Technical Rescue emergency response readiness, including responsibilities for maintaining and updating mutual aid contracts through the State Fire Marshals Office, for emergency response throughout the State and Region “C” of the Greater St. Louis Region.

During Chief Arnold’s he achieved numerous professional certifications, including Firefighter III, Emergency Medical Technician, Hazmat Technician, Motor Engineer, Fire Officer II, Fire Service Instructor II, National EMACS Incident Commander, and National Safety Officer.

In addition, Chief Arnold served as an Adjunct Fire Service Instructor for the University of Missouri Fire Rescue Training Institute, St. Louis County Fire Academy, Greater St. Louis Area Training Officers Association, and the National Fallen Firefighters Association.

Chief Arnold served in the prestigious positions as:

• President of the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association.
• President of the Greater St. Louis Area Training Officers Association.
• Commissioner on the State of Missouri Emergency Response Commission.
• Board Member of the St. Louis County Fire Academy Board of Directors (1990-1992).
• Board Member on the Greater St. Louis Area Hazardous Material Emergency Response Team.
• Board Member of the Greater St. Louis Area Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

Notable Career Highlights:  

• Served on fire/rescue details for two Presidential visits and the 1998 visit of Pope John Paul II.
• Developed an Incident Command System Training Tabletop Simulator and personally trained over 10,000 firefighters statewide on the Incident Command System.
• One of the Keynote Speakers for the Regional Memorial Service for the victims of September 11^th, 2001, held on 09/14/2001, on the St. Louis Riverfront.

 Chief Arnold received the following Awards and Recognitions:

• The Greater St. Louis Area 1991 Fire Service Instructor of the Year.
• Honored as the St. Louis County Fire Academy 70^th Recruit Class Honoree.
• The “Key to the City of Florissant” by Mayor Lowry for managing the 2004 Heat Emergency within his city.
• The “Heat Up St. Louis 2006 Presidential Award”.
• The East West Gateway Council of Governments “Gateway 2007 Lifetime Achievement Public Service Award”.
• The United States Fire Service Administration “Courage To Be Safe” 2009 and 2010 Program Awards as one of the “Top Twenty Program Instructors” in the nation.
• The St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission Century Award for 29 years of consecutive service as a St. Louis County Fire Academy Instructor.

 Civic Service Highlights:

• Developed and trained the First Business Park Community Response Team in the State of Missouri.
• Served as Co-Chair for the “Fill the Helmet Fundraiser” 1996-2008 for the Missouri Children’s Burn Camp.
• Served as Committee member for the 2003 and 2004 Greater St. Louis Area Fire Service “Fill the Bucket” fund raising campaigns for the Variety Club of St. Louis.
• Served as Co-Chair with STLFD Fire Chief Sherman George for the 2006 Winter “Heat Up St. Louis” Program.
• Managed and operated a food pantry at the Overland Foursquare Church.
• Served as Coach of his Daughters and later his Granddaughters Travel Fastpitch Softball Teams.
• Co-Owner/Manager of the First Due Fire Museum from 2000 to 2008, located at the St. Louis Mills Mall in Hazelwood, MO.
• Served on the Roosevelt H.S. Class of 1972 Reunion Committees.
• Currently serves in the function of a Deacon at the O’Fallon First Baptist Church.
• Currently serves as the Co-Director of the O’Fallon First Baptist Church Safety Team.
• Currently volunteers at the Lake Saint Louis Missions Thrift Store.

Chief Arnold retired from the Fire Service in May 2008. He is enjoying retirement with his wife Rhonda in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri.  They are blessed with two daughters Jamie and Tracie and three grandsons and three granddaughters.