Administration

Vincent Loyal
Chief, Fire and EMS Services

Chief Loyal began his career with the district as a firefighter/paramedic in 1978. Chief Loyal was appointed to Chief of Fire District in February 2003. He has progressed through the ranks and held the Assistant Chief position, commanding the administration, personnel and finance divisions from 1999 through 2003. Prior to his appointment as Assistant Chief, he served as the district's Chief Medical Officer, commanding the Emergency Medical Service operations for 16 years.

Chief Loyal holds an Associates Degree in Paramedic Technology, a Bachelors Degree in Management and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer program. He is a lifelong resident of west St. Louis County and lives in the City of Ballwin with his wife and two children.

Steve Sagehorn
Assistant Chief - Administration

Assistant Chief Sagehorn has dedicated the last 20 years of his life to the fire and EMS services. He started in 1982 as an EMT in Northeast Missouri, and progressed to a paramedic in 1985. Over the years, he has functioned as a flight medic, supervisor of an ambulance service in mid-Missouri, finally finding his niche in the fire services in 1987.

Steve has progressively worked his way through the ranks of the fire service. His first assignments were as a firefighter/paramedic. He then competed for and attained the rank of Captain. In 2001, Steve was promoted to the position of Battalion Chief/Chief Medical Officer. He was then appointed to his current position, Assistant Chief, in 2003.

Assistant Chief Sagehorn has an Associates Degree in Paramedic Technology and a Bachelors of Science in Health Services Management. He resides in Wildwood, Missouri with his wife Kandi. They have three children and one grandchild.

Steve Ward
Assistant Chief - B - Shift / Operations

Assistant Chief Ward started his fire service career in 1967 with the Valley Park Fire Protection District. He has a long list of accomplishments there, including Deputy Fire and Training Officer. In 1978, Steve was hired by the Frontenac Fire Department.

While working for the Frontenac Fire Department, Chief Ward joined the reserve staff of the Ballwin Fire Protection District. After achieving his Paramedic license in 1982, he was hired by Metro West. His long career has given Chief Ward valuable insight into the fire service. He has quickly climbed the ranks at Metro due to his experience. Steve lives in the City of Ballwin with his wife and two children.

M.’Bud’ Mantle
Battalion Chief- Chief Medical Officer

Battalion Chief M.’Bud’ Mantle began his career in 1978 as a Firefighter with the City of St. Charles Fire Department. Chief Mantle earned his paramedic license in 1979, and was hired by Metro West in 1980. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1990, Captain in 1991, and most recently Battalion Chief-Chief Medical Officer in 2003.

Chief Mantle has received numerous certifications in Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services, and has instructed at the St. Louis County Fire Academy, St. Louis County Police Academy, and provided public safety programs throughout the bi-state area.

Chief Mantle has also been named Firefighter of the Year, EMS Provider of the Year, and received many other awards for his service to the community.

Bud resides in Wildwood with his wife and son.

Ed Beirne
Battalion Chief - A shift

Ed Beirne began his fire service career in 1980 as a volunteer for the St. Charles County Fire District. In 1982 he was hired by Normandy Fire District and served as a firefighter and paramedic until 1988. Ed came to Metro West in 1988 as a firefighter paramedic and progressed to Captain in 1998. Besides being a Captain, Company Officer, Ed also served as a Shift Training Officer and the Rescue Captain for “A” Shift. Ed Beirne is presently a Battalion Chief in charge of a shift and the Chief Training Officer for the Fire District.

During Chief Beirne’s career, he has been awarded three Phoenix Awards. He was awarded the Outstanding Young Firefighter Award by the West County Jaycee’s in 1998. He has remained a ground based and flight paramedic his entire career.

Battalion Chief Beirne is a member of the UASI Heavy Rescue St. Louis County Strike Team 3 and the S.O.A.R. helicopter Rescue Team. He is also a member of the Missouri Emergency Training Specialists.  Chief Beirne has recently earned his Bachelors Degree in Fire Service management from the University of Cincinnati and is aggressively working towards his Masters degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership.

Presently, Battalion Chief Ed Beirne lives in Ellisville with his wife and three children.

Rod Cook
Battalion Chief - C Shift

Battalion Chief Cook began his career with the Ballwin Fire Protection District in 1984.  He was hired in 1987 as a Firefighter / Paramedic and served in this position until being promoted to the position of Engineer in 1991.  In 1996, Rod was promoted to Captain on "B" Shift at Station 3.

Rod has earned many awards during his service with Metro West, including Reserve Firefighter of the year in 1987, Firefighter of the Year in 1995, Outstanding Young Firefighter by the West County Jaycee's in 1997, three Lifesaving Phoenix Awards and the Medal of Valor.  Rod has earned two Associates Degrees one in Fire Science and his second in Paramedic Technology.  He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management.

Battalion Chief Cook is responsible for the management of the computer systems of the fire district.  Rod was promoted to the position of Battalion Chief in July of 2007.  He currently lives in Wildwood with his wife and two sons.