Lt. Koudelka joined The Swansea Fire Department on May 8, 2003, and has remained an active member of the Department for the last 17 years. Before joining the Department. Lt. Koudelka spent 4 years as an Explorer for the Fire Department. Lt. Koudelka has been an integral part of the Department during his tenure and has been a leading member of the Fire Department Honor Guard that honors both fallen members as well as honoring our Nation’s Flag at PR events. Lt. Koudelka has coordinated presenting the colors on several occasions including at Busch Stadium before a Cardinals game and Enterprise Center before a Blues game. Lt. Koudelka has also served as a Co-Chairman of the BBQ Committee for the past several years. When asked why he joined the Department. Lt. Koudelka said ” I grew up in a family of 1st Responders with his Grandpa being a Belleville Police Officer and his Uncle a Belleville FF. I spent my childhood in and out of the different stations with my Uncle Jerry, Terry Scott, and Dave Goetter showing me the trucks, and equipment, and telling me all the stories and jokes. When asked about his favorite call Lt. Koudleka said 2 came to mind. First was a duplex fire right after joking with Chief McGuire about being slow and him wrapping his arm around me and asking me where I was. Secondly was the fire at Grand Manor and driving Ladder 5429 to one of its first runs. It was just after a bad storm and we found the alarm was caused by a lightning strike causing a fire.”
Please join us in thanking Lt. Koudelka for his continued dedication and support to The Village of Swansea and the surrounding communities.