The Metro West Fire Department in Ellisville serves residences through West County, including Ballwin. All firefighters in the department also are trained paramedics, trained under what the department has dubbed its elite St. Louis County Fire Academy. The department's members also are trained for responding to natural disasters. The Metro West Fire Department is led by fire chief Vincent T. Loyal, who has been serving his community as a firefighter since 1978. Loyal resides in Ballwin with his wife, and has two adult children.