Those Who Serve
Short profiles of the Jefferson County neighbors who answer the call in public safety, social work, and community care.
Corey Nengel Joins Crystal City Fire Department as First Full-Time Firefighter
A fourth-generation firefighter returns to serve close to home
When Crystal City Fire Chief Tony Bova introduced Corey Nengel at the most recent Crystal City Council meeting, the moment marked more than the hiring of a new firefighter.
It marked a new chapter for the Crystal City Fire Department.
Nengel is the first full-time paid firefighter in the history of Crystal City, joining Chief Bova in a department that had previously operated with volunteers aside from the chief. His role is expected to help strengthen the department’s day-to-day operations, assist with planning, and support fire response preparation across the community.
For Nengel, firefighting is not just a job. It is part of his family story.
He is a fourth-generation firefighter, following a long line of service that includes his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, uncles, and cousins. That family history helped shape a path that began when he started as a volunteer firefighter in 2015 while still in high school.
“We’re not just here at the time of need. We’re here to help educate and everything.”
After going through the Jefferson College ATS program for high school students, Nengel earned his Firefighter I and II certifications. He was hired by Crystal City in February 2019, later served in Herculaneum, and returned to Crystal City as a full-time firefighter this spring.
Chief Bova told the council that Nengel started as a volunteer in 2015, continued through his schooling, worked for the city for four years, then spent time with Herculaneum before coming back to Crystal City full time.
“He lives here, residence Crystal,” Bova said during the meeting, adding that Nengel’s wife is a school teacher and the couple has a young son. “Hopefully, we keep him around a long time.”
The Crystal City Fire Department covers a wide area that includes Crystal City, nearby neighborhoods, businesses, industrial areas, and sections along the Mississippi River. That responsibility means firefighters must know not only the roads and neighborhoods, but also the buildings, businesses, access points, and hazards they may face during an emergency.
One area where Nengel is expected to help is in building entry plans for local homes and businesses, giving firefighters better information before they arrive at a fire or emergency scene.
Nengel said his experience working with city departments across Jefferson County has given him a broad perspective. He said he has worked with city fire departments throughout his career and has been involved with many different projects and operations.
He also sees community involvement as a major part of the job. Open houses, school visits, and public education help residents understand what firefighters do before an emergency ever happens.
“That allows people to know what we’re here to do,” Nengel said. “It also allows people to see who we are, what we do, what we can do for them.”
For his own family, the move into a full-time position in Crystal City also means more time at home. Nengel said the new role brings him closer to home and away from shift work, allowing him to be home every night with his wife and their 18-month-old son.
For Crystal City, his hiring represents both continuity and growth: a firefighter with local roots, family tradition, and experience across the county stepping into a new role at a department entering a new era.
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