Clayton Fire Department Profiles: Captain Phil Lopez

Press release from the City of Clayton:

July 10, 2020

It is rare to find someone who has had such an impact on not only the industry, but also personally to so many firefighters in the region. You would be hard pressed to find a firehouse where someone at the kitchen table does not have a “Phil Story” and we are lucky enough to have him in our organization.

Phil grew up in the Clayton Area and attended school in Clayton from first grade through his graduation from Clayton High School. At 21 years old he decided to join the fire service without any prior knowledge or family in the fire service. “It looked like a good hands-on challenging job that I would want to do for a long time. In 1984 there was no line to get in and the pay wasn’t great, but once I started, I realized that the responsibility of being the last line of defense when things went wrong was a challenge that I really enjoyed.”

When asked about his favorite memory in the fire service there was no hesitation. “Hands down, my favorite memory so far was my first call on a fire truck. Standing up looking over the cab, light, siren, and air horn about three feet from my head (hearing loss!) It was so unbelievable to me that I was actually a fireman riding on a firetruck. I barely realized that it was my first day and I had no idea what I was doing! I’m sure I was grinning ear to ear. (and still am)” Phil said.

After serving for 5 years at a neighboring department, Phil decided that it was time to come home and joined the ranks of the Clayton Fire Department in 1989. Phil said the decision was easy. “The main reason I think was the challenge. Clayton presented so many challenges to me as a Firefighter/Paramedic. The amount of people, the high-rise buildings, the training and educational opportunities, and I knew Clayton was a busy department. It just sounded great.” He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1994 where he has made countless contributions in moving the department forward as a progressive leader without ever endangering the tradition and reputation of the department.

In 1992 Phil began as an instructor at the Greater St. Louis County Fire Academy. He attributes this as part of the secret to his success. “It not only gives me the opportunity to share what I’ve learned with Recruit Firefighters; it’s also made me much better at my job.” Phil has held many positions within the Academy over the years including a stint as Chief, but has returned to the classroom. For those of us that know him, he can never be too far from where the action is.

It is hard to believe that with all of his accomplishments that Phil has time for much of anything else, but when not serving Clayton or molding the minds of the future of the fire service he finds time for his other passions. “My hobbies have always been Ice Hockey, Golf, Fishing, Fitness, and pretty much anything outdoors. In the last few years I’ve added seven new hobbies….Grandkids!”

The enthusiasm Captain Lopez shows for the community and the department is contagious and has not faded after his 31 years of service at the Clayton Fire Department. “I think my best memory is still to come which will be looking back on the whole thing from beginning to end.” We hope the end is still a while away, but we want to thank Captain Lopez for everything he has done for us up until now.

This press release was produced by the City of Clayton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.