The St. Charles County Emergency Services Association (SCCESA) has a long history as a fire service leader. Organized on May 6, 1945 by the memberships of the mostly rural volunteer fire departments of the time, this organization dedicated itself to improving the quality of emergency response provided to its citizens. These visionaries recognized and embraced the idea of mutual aid, combined-department professional training, and the joint purchasing of firefighter supplies and equipment. Over the years the Association has strived to be a proactive futuristic organization focused on providing its customers top quality professional service at an affordable price. This type of professionalism continues to be the goal of the organization. Today, the fire protection districts of River's Pointe, Orchard Farm, Central County Fire Rescue, O’Fallon, Lake St. Louis, Wentzville, Cottleville, New Melle, and Augusta, along with the St. Charles City Fire Department, and the St. Charles County Ambulance District continue to work in a concerted effort to maintain the ideals of our predecessors. We meet monthly continually looking for options to enhance the level of service we provide as a group and as individual organizations.

In January 2005, the SCCESA held its first ever “Planning Retreat”. This retreat was hosted by the O’Fallon Fire Protection District and was held at the O’Fallon City Hall in the multi-purpose room. At this retreat the members of the Association sent an elected official and their fire chief to participate in a brainstorming planning session. As a result of the successful 2005 retreat, the members of the SCCESA have resolved to have an annual planning retreat. Many innovative ideas resulted from the last two retreats. Some of the projects currently under development are: this countywide website to provide timely information, improved automatic mutual aid between the entities, a countywide technical rescue unit, shared public information officers, standard public fire safety education programs, a countywide purchasing policy, and standardized response policies. These are only a few of the items that were discussed and implemented as a result of the retreats.

The elected officials, Chief Fire/EMS Officers, and the Fire and EMS personnel of the SCCESA , both volunteer and career, pledge to continue to provide an emergency service product that the citizens of St. Charles County can be proud of and relied upon in times of emergency and need.