Brentwood fire officials told the Public Safety Committee on May 28 that the department played a regional role responding to the May 16 storm and is moving ahead on a new training facility and vehicle orders.

Assistant Chief Bernie and other fire staff described a rapid response after a tornado warning and heavy storm impacts across jurisdictions. The department helped coordinate regional response, provided a firefighter on multi‑day Task Force 1 deployment to St. Louis for search and rescue, and lent a reserve engine to Clayton for about a week. "Assistant Chief Bernie immediately responded to the city of Clayton and assisted them with flights with the drone," a fire spokesperson said, describing coordination that sped search efforts in heavily damaged areas.

The department reported a concentrated surge in calls: East Central dispatch received 239 911 calls from about 2:30 p.m. to midnight the night of the storm, and Brentwood continued to run storm‑related calls through the following Monday. Brentwood reported two storm‑related injuries in front of City Hall related to a traffic collision when signals were out. Damage assessments have been completed and shared with CEMA and FEMA, and parks and public works staff are compiling department reports for public‑assistance applications.

On facilities and equipment, the city has executed contracts for a new fire training facility and expects the general contractor to mobilize in late July or early August; a groundbreaking is planned for the summer. The apparatus committee visited Pierce in Appleton, Wisconsin, to finalize truck specifications; the new fire engine is on track for January 2026 delivery, and the ordered ambulance is expected in late 2027.

Fire staff also reported a promotional process and an open lieutenant position; one academy member graduates in July and the department hopes to reach full staffing by August. Department leaders credited mutual‑aid partners and private contractors for speeding debris removal and noted that detailed storm call and performance data will be incorporated into monthly measures.

Committee members did not take action; the department said it will share further updates on FEMA/public assistance and the training facility schedule as plans solidify.