Command Staff
Chief Russ Adams
Russ has worked in the Fire and EMS field for over 35 years. He received his EMT license in 1983 and began working for a private ambulance service and volunteering for Wentzville Fire Protection District. Russ then obtained his Paramedic license in 1984 and began teaching for the Saint Louis Community College as an EMT and Paramedic Instructor. In 1987 Russ started his paid fire service career for the Robertson Fire Protection District. In 1990 Russ started at Chesterfield/ Monarch Fire Protection District, as a Firefighter/Paramedic.
Russ has held positions as a Personal Class Coordinator for the Veterans Affairs, Paramedic in DePaul E.R., Saint Louis Children’s Hospital Emergency Room and Transport team and as a paramedic instructor for over seven years for Respond Right EMS Academy and two years at Lindenwood University. Russ holds the following certifications: Instructor in CPR, ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, and EMS/FIRE INSTRUCTOR. Russ has completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service management and is working on his Masters Degree in Emergency Services Management. While at Monarch Russ has been promoted to Engineer, Captain, Shift Training Captain, C Shift Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief - Training Officer and Fire Chief. Russ is also part of the USAR-3 Search and Rescue team. Russ, his wife and three children reside in Dardenne Prairie MO.
Assistant Chief Les Crews
Les Crews started his career in 1978 with the Glendale Fire Department. In 1979 he accepted the position of firefighter with the Monarch Fire Protection District. He was promoted to Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief of Special Operations, and in 2018 Assistant Chief. Chief Crews is an active member with Missouri Task Force One, a FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Team, and serves in the capacity of a Task Force Leader. Chief Crews also serves as a USAR Specialist on a FEMA Incident Support Team.
During his career he has responded to several national disasters: The 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, 2005 Hurricane Katrina, 2011 Joplin tornado and the 2014 Mudslide in Oso Washington. Chief Crews holds an Emergency Medical Technician license, and has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology.
Deputy Chief - EMS Nick Harper
Nick Harper started his career as a fire fighter with the United States Air Force in 1976. He joined the ranks of the Monarch Fire Protection District as a fire fighter in 1979. Chief Harper was promoted to Captain in 2001 and Deputy Chief in 2012. He is a licensed paramedic, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Administration.
Chief Harper currently serves as a Fire District/Department Chaplain, is State Certified in Fire Safety, Fire Officer, and Fire Instructor.
Chief Harper and his wife live in St. Peters Missouri.
Deputy Chief - Training Tommy Beauchamp
Deputy Chief Tommy Beauchamp’s career started as a young boy following his dad around the Chesterfield Fire Protection District over 40 years ago; but his own professional career started in 1992 in the United States Army as a combat medic. He has been a member of Monarch Fire District since 1997. The last 24 years Tommy has worked his way through the ranks of Engineer, Captain, Assistant Shift Training Officer, and now assigned as the C-Shift Battalion Chief. He holds a degree in Paramedic Technology and is continuing his education by enrolling in classes or studies to advance his value to the community of the Monarch Fire Protection District.
BC Beauchamp has worked in emergency services in many different facets over his career. He is currently a Captain with the Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department and an Assistant Instructor with the St. Louis County Fire Academy. He has spent time in the United States Army, St. Charles County Ambulance District and Pike County Memorial Hospital Emergency Services.
Tommy currently holds many certificates in fire officer leadership, fire service instructing, Blue Card, as well as many other fire and emergency technical operation skills. He has been a member of the St. Louis Region Strike Team 3 since the beginning.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time on the family farm raising beef cattle, horses, and chickens. Tommy enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters when not at work.
Deputy Chief - Operations Bill Long
Bill Long started his career with the Fire District on August 15, 1988. He was promoted to Engineer in 1999, Captain in July 2000, Battalion Chief in April 2012 and Deputy Chief in February 2019.. He is a Missouri Division of Fire Safety Certified Fire Officer II and Instructor II. He has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology.
Deputy Chief Long and his wife reside in West County.
Fire Marshal / PIO Jim McKay
Jim McKay began his career with the Monarch Fire Protection District in January 2000. Prior to that, he was employed by St. Louis County and the City of Bridgeton as a Public Works Inspector. Jim was promoted to Fire Marshal on May 1, 2021. Chief McKay is certified through the International Code Council as a Building Code Official, Building Inspector and Building Plan Reviewer. He holds certifications from the State of Missouri as a Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator and Fire Service Instructor. Jim has an Associate’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology.
A Shift Battalion Chief Ed Fassler
Ed Fassler began his career with the Monarch Fire Protection District in July 1996 as a Paramedic/Firefighter. Ed progressed through the ranks: Engineer, EMS Supervisor, and Company Officer. June 20, 2016 Captain Fassler was promoted to Battalion Chief.
BC Fassler has an Associate Degree in Fire Science, he is a licensed Paramedic, Strike Team Leader, and he is certified as a Hazardous Materials Technician. Chief Fassler is active in Officer and Instructor Development and he is the Fire District’s CCE911 (Dispatch) Representative.
BC Fassler has a family heritage in Emergency Services; his father is a retired Deputy Chief and he has two brothers currently serving. Ed, his wife, and their three children reside in West St. Louis County.
B Shift Battalion Chief Dave Schmitt
Dave Schmitt began his career with the Monarch Fire Protection District on Oct. 1, 1979. He worked his way through the ranks: Engineer in 1986, Captain in 1997, and Battalion Chief on August 7, 2014. Chief Schmitt is a State Certified Fire Department Incident Safety Officer, Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor I, and a licensed Emergency Medical Technician. He has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology.
Battalion Chief Schmitt resides in St. Louis County with his wife Kathy.