Firefighter Lee Kraus, a 31-year veteran of the St. Louis Fire Department, will be honored at the 2026 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs following his death in the line of duty. St. Louis Firefighters IAFF Local 73 is bringing Lee’s family to the ceremony, reinforcing that while we lost Lee, his family remains part of our Local 73 family. Members and the community are invited to watch the 2026 ceremony and join firefighters across the country in remembering Lee and the other fallen IAFF members.

During their first day on the scene, Local 73 members successfully rescued three people who had become stranded in a tree overhanging the rapidly rising floodwaters, demonstrating the professionalism and dedication of our members when communities need them most.

The voters of St. Louis settled this question in 1970, and the courts affirmed it. We will continue to defend pay parity as long as it takes. The men and women of this fire department earn their compensation on every call, every shift, every day – and have shown themselves to be among the finest public safety professionals in the county on countless responses. That is not bad business. That is the standard this city set for itself

A firefighter reflects on her hard-won promotion to Captain after twenty years of service, perseverance, and pushing through a system not built with her in mind. She shares the unseen challenges women—especially women of color—face in the fire service, the grueling promotional process, and the power of unity and integrity in fighting for fairness. Her story is a reminder that progress is built through resilience, solidarity, and holding the door open for those who come next.

A second wave of promotions has taken place in the St. Louis Fire Department, bringing leadership staffing back to safe levels. Yesterday’s promotions added three Battalion Chiefs and 22 Fire Captains, filling vacancies created by years of stalled promotions and initiating promotions from the most recent promotional list.

St. Louis Firefighters IAFF Local 73 secured a major legal victory after a judge ruled the City wrongfully halted firefighter promotions, engaging in intentional misconduct that endangered firefighter and public safety.

Flowing water, raising ladders, and cutting through barriers — Fire Up St. Louis is more than a firefighter skills camp. It’s a powerful hands-on experience giving women ages 18 to 40 a chance to see themselves in the fire service. With mentorship from Local 73 firefighters and zero cost to participants, the camp is transforming lives and shaping the next generation of firefighter/paramedics.

After the May 16 tornado struck North St. Louis, off-duty firefighters from IAFF Local 73 mobilized to help stabilize damaged homes by tarping roofs, boarding windows, and clearing debris. With support from the IAFF Disaster Relief Trailer and coordination from McCarthy Construction, they reached residents in urgent need. Their efforts, alongside retired members and a resilient community, are bringing hope and momentum to the recovery process.

St. Louis Fire Department, IAFF, and Local 73 Collaborate to Train 22 Peer Fitness Instructors

Big wins for public safety! All three IAFF Local 73-endorsed candidates—Anne Schweitzer (1st Ward), Alisha Sonnier (7th Ward), and Cara Spencer (Mayor)—secured victories in Tuesday’s election. St. Louis firefighters hit the streets, knocked doors, and worked the polls to support leaders who have always supported us. Thank you, St. Louis, for standing with your firefighters! 💪🔥 #IAFFLocal73 #ElectionResults #STL

Find out who your St. Louis Firefighters are endorsing for the April 8th Election.

In a historic moment for retired public employees, the U.S. Congress has voted to restore dignity in retirement for those who serve our communities.

John D. Brewer - Executive Director Pension history of the St. Louis Fire Department is long and enumerated in the texts of the State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis going back into the late 1800s. As early as 1843, St. Louis Firefighters, which were all volunteer at the time, established a Firemen’s Fund. This fund was supported solely by dues and donations which assisted injured firefighters while recovering. (Fund, The Firemen's, 1914)