...Back Headquarters building can be used as emergency shelter The following article recently appeared in the West County Journal: Headquarters building can be used as emergency shelter Board approves idea at recent meeting By Mary Shapiro Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:59 PM CST Residents of the Monarch Fire Protection District will be able to use the district's headquarters building in Chesterfield as an emergency shelter. At a Board of Directors meeting last week, board member Michelle Sleet suggested -- and the board approved -- the concept of providing emergency shelter to district residents in the event of a power outage, such as the ones last summer and this winter. The 55-square-mile district includes all or parts of Wildwood, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Clarkson Valley, Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur and unincorporated St. Louis County. Sleet asked the board to open the district's administration building, 13725 Olive Blvd. in Chesterfield, to those without electricity and who have no other place to go. The headquarters building, which formerly included the district's House 4, has two kitchens; six private sleeping rooms and showering facilities; several lounge areas with televisions; a large open area where cots and chairs can be placed; and is served by a generator that can keep it powered even if electricity is lost, she said. House 4 recently was relocated to Olive Boulevard and White Road, thus providing more space and facilities at the headquarters building. "We will keep an advanced life-support ambulance on site, which will be staffed 24/7 by two (district) paramedics who could provide on-site service for residents," she said. Board president Rick Gans asked Sleet to pursue the idea, and she plans to contact area businesses to donate cots, tables, chairs, food and personal items to be on hand in case they are needed. Board members said residents soon will receive information and instructions about how to use the facility. Sleet said it's possible the district also may approve using space at House 1, Baxter and Clarkson roads in Chesterfield, for the same purpose. "We're thinking that one of the facilities would accept pets, as well, which is important to those who don't want to leave their pets," she said. "If district monies are necessary for the project, they would come from the public education funds, though some sizable donations have been made in the past for such purposes, and again, plans are to partner with local businesses for contributions," she said. Sleet said she hopes other fire districts follow suit and offer such facilities. Updated  Tuesday, March 06, 2007