Did you grow up wanting to become a firefighter?
My dad, Jim Silvernail Sr., was the Metro West Fire Protection fire chief for over 30 years, so I grew up with a good foundation for what firefighters do. But my degree is in Business Administration and Finance. It didn't take long to realize my heart was in fire protection. My enthusiasm for fire safety is what drives me. This is not a job. It's a lifestyle. I'm always a fireman. I don't turn it off when I go home. It's my identity.
You were honored as a 2023 St. Louis 100 Titans of Industry for your exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. As the first fire chief in the United States to be recognized as a Titan 100, talk about your impact on the fire protection industry.
Being a fire captain on the fire apparatus was my passion. But, if you want to impact an industry, you have to step up to assume leadership responsibilities and make the choices for the good of the company and all stakeholders. I have an undying love for fire department tactics and strategies, the true basics of firefighting. I was part of a committee that evaluated and rewrote our standard operating procedures. This led to me writing articles for Fire Engineering magazine, speaking at conferences, and writing a 350-page textbook, which I dedicated to my dad. I'm humbled that the Titan 100 organization chose someone who serves in the public setting.
What are you most proud of?
I'm proud to have achieved this position and to follow in my dad's footsteps. I stepped into his seat on the board of directors for BackStoppers, Inc. And I'm proud of our crew because they are out there every day making a difference. As firefighters, we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Fire departments have been around for 250 years, and we carry on from those who came before us. We want to end our careers by saying we've made an impact on people's lives. Kirkwood is a super city, and I'm proud to have the opportunity to leave a mark by taking an already great organization by moving it forward. Over the past seven years, we have restructured our command staff, formed relationships with our neighbors in Glendale, and connected directly with our communities. Our job as the fire department is to provide equity to the city in fire prevention and community risk reduction. Our crew loves going out into the community to provide education and build public relations because they know how much the community values and appreciates this department.
If a movie was made about your life as a firefighter, who would you cast to play you?
I'm a huge Clint Eastwood fan. I have a picture of Clint hanging at the top of the steps in my office. I don't look like Clint Eastwood, but he'd be my choice.
This is not a job. It's a lifestyle. I'm always a fireman. I don't turn it off when I go home. We carry on from those who came before us. We want to end our careers by saying we've made an impact on people's lives.