It’s no secret that there’s tension in St. Louis County government right now. Before the County Executive’s indictment, however, a different topic took center stage at the St. Louis County Council’s July 22 meeting: County park rangers and whether to classify them as first responders.

Introduced by 6th District Councilman Mike Archer, R-Oakville, the resolution highlighted the duties of local park rangers and called for the classification of St. Louis County park rangers as first responders “within the definitions of the Laws of the State of Missouri, as well as the Ordinances of the County of St. Louis.” 

Before the council began its discussion, four individuals came forward to share their thoughts on the resolution during the first public forum section of the meeting. Three of the four speakers, all of whom were park rangers themselves, advocated for the resolution, thanking the council for proposing it. 

“Our rangers might start their day leading a conservation program and end it performing CPR or responding to an incident involving violent crime or a mental health crisis. They operate with professionalism, composure and a deep sense of duty, often under difficult and unpredictable circumstances. This resolution is more than a formal gesture; it’s a morale booster,” Michael Keithley, a County ranger, said.

Next up was Cheryl Fechter, a park ranger sergeant who has spent 35 years within the County’s Parks Department. She emphasized the serious incidents that occur within the vast number of Couny parks and trails, and that rangers have saved the lives of countless park-goers, from pulling people out of burning cars and applying a tourniquet to an arterial bleed, to assisting during floods and disarming suicidal subjects.

MaryClare Coffey was the final park ranger to speak, echoing her colleagues’ statements. She also spoke on the low hourly wage that park rangers earn, imploring for change as many, particularly those with families, “are struggling.”

“I don’t have to tell you all that passion for your work and compassion for those that you serve doesn’t always pay the bills. With the current rate of pay of $18.77, saving for medical bills, car payments and a home is nearly impossible,” Coffey said. “We are not here because we’re ungrateful for the opportunity that we’ve been given to serve, but because we want to … to grow and to evolve as first responders, as programmers and as advocates.”

The final speaker was St. Louis County Police Department Chief Kenneth Gregory, who wanted to clarify and differentiate between the duties and responsibilities of the County police versus those of the County park rangers. 

“It is important to understand that park rangers do not possess full police powers, nor are they commissioned police officers with the comprehensive training and authority to enforce all state laws,” Gregory said. “The designation of first responder is an honorable one, but it must be paired with clarity to define roles and responsibilities for park rangers to operate effectively with no ambiguity.” 

Before a vote was held, the council had its own conversation. A few questioned the purpose of the resolution, though Archer clarified that it was “the first step in the process.” 

“From what we heard today, they are truly first responders by definition, and it does not go unnoticed by this board. That’s what the resolution is in essence, trying to show that … we understand what their duties and responsibilities are and how honorably they do them,” Archer said. “The ordinance that I hope to go forward with later will address those issues in terms of responsibilities and pay.”

When it came time for a vote, the board passed the resolution unanimously.

Despite this being “the first step,” there was no discussion on the resolution at the council’s July 29 meeting or at its Aug. 5 meeting.