Springfield, MO Fire Department

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Members of the Springfield Fire Department technical and water rescue teams, along with resources from the Springfield P...
06/19/2026

Members of the Springfield Fire Department technical and water rescue teams, along with resources from the Springfield Police Department, Branson Fire-Rescue, Battlefield, Logan-Rogersville, and Ozark fire protection districts, Missouri Highway Patrol, to include the air wing and Water Patrol divers, City Utilities and search-and-rescue K9s from Boone County Fire Protection District and Missouri Task Force 1 have searched since Sunday, June 14 for those missing following a boating accident at Lake Springfield dam.

SFD rescued 12-year-old Aurelie Stawny from the waters of the spillway below the dam. Aurelie was transported to the hospital and has since been released. In the process of rescuing Aurelie, three members of SFD’s Water Rescue Team were injured and transported to the hospital and have also been released.

On Tuesday, June 16, search teams located the body of 19-year-old Andrea Stawny approximately a quarter of a mile downriver from the dam. On Wednesday, June 17, search teams located the body of 17-year-old Sofie Stawny near the dam. Andrea and Sofie’s family have been notified.

Water Rescue Team photo not from this incident.

Taylor Stawny, 40, remains unaccounted for following the fourth full day of searching.

“We have used all resources available to return those missing to their loved ones. I am proud of the efforts from everyone involved,” said Fire Chief David Pennington. “While we are scaling back our search operations, we will continue to make flights with our drones in the days to come and will be turning over the incident to the Missouri Water Patrol.

“On behalf of Mayor Jeff Schrag, City Manager David Cameron, and the officers and firefighters of the Springfield Fire Department, we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those involved,” he added.

Victims identified in water search and rescue effort; one remains missing On June 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., the Springfiel...
06/17/2026

Victims identified in water search and rescue effort; one remains missing

On June 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., the Springfield Fire Department (SFD) Water Rescue Team and officers with the Springfield Police Department (SPD), responded to Lake Springfield to the report of four people in need of rescue.

The SFD rescued 12-year-old Aurelie Stawny from the waters of the spillway below the dam. Aurelie was transported to the hospital and has since been released. In the process of rescuing Aurelie, three members of SFD’s Water Rescue Team were injured and transported to the hospital and have also been released.

On June 16, 2026, search teams located the body of 19-year-old Andrea Stawny approximately a quarter of a mile downriver from the dam. On June 17, 2026, search teams located the body of 17-year-old Sofie Stawny near the dam. Andrea and Sofie’s family have been notified.

Comprehensive search efforts will resume tomorrow to look for 40-year-old Taylor Stawny, who is still missing. More than 40 rescuers from multiple local agencies searched on land, in the water and by air, to include assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s dive team as well as SFD and SPD’s drone units.

Through the investigation, it was determined that Aurelie, Andrea, Sofie and Taylor were in a kayak and two inflatable tubes that were connected at the time of the incident. Further circumstances of this incident remain part of an ongoing investigation.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., search crews located and recovered the second of the three victims in Sunday’s Lake Springf...
06/17/2026

At approximately 10:30 a.m., search crews located and recovered the second of the three victims in Sunday’s Lake Springfield incident.

Members of the Springfield Fire Department water and technical rescue teams, along with resources from the Battlefield, Logan-Rogersville, and Ozark fire protection districts, the Missouri Highway Patrol, the Springfield Police Department, and volunteer search K9s resumed search and recovery efforts early Wednesday morning.

Search crews will continue recovery efforts throughout the day, Fire Chief David Pennington said.

Water Rescue Team photo not from this incident.

Recovery efforts continue tonight until dark in the search for two unaccounted for people following a high-water acciden...
06/16/2026

Recovery efforts continue tonight until dark in the search for two unaccounted for people following a high-water accident Sunday at Lake Springfield. Search teams have located one of those missing from this incident, and will continue searching for others involved until nightfall. The department will resume search operations Wednesday morning.

More than 40 rescuers from local agencies have been searching today on land, in the water and air, to include assistance from the Missouri Highway Patrol’s dive team, and flights with department drones today.

“I am proud of the efforts by the professionals conducting search operations, and want to express my appreciation and gratitude to our partners for their assistance,” said Fire Chief David Pennington.

Water Rescue Team photo not from this incident.

06/16/2026

Springfield Fire Department News Conference

The Springfield Fire Department will conduct a live news briefing at 2 p.m. at the Greene County Public Safety Center, 3...
06/16/2026

The Springfield Fire Department will conduct a live news briefing at 2 p.m. at the Greene County Public Safety Center, 330 W. Scott, to provide an update on recovery efforts at Lake Springfield. Three people remain missing after a high-water incident Sunday. One juvenile was rescued and remains hospitalized. The news briefing will be live streamed on CityView.springfieldmo.gov and on the Fire Department’s page. South Kissick Avenue is now closed to facilitate ongoing work by responders.

Fire Chief David Pennington reports that recovery operations have resumed this morning in the search for three people un...
06/16/2026

Fire Chief David Pennington reports that recovery operations have resumed this morning in the search for three people unaccounted for following a high-water incident Sunday at Lake Springfield.

Conditions are such to do an aggressive search by land, water and air. With heavy rains expected again tomorrow, Pennington hopes to make progress today.

Regardless of what occurs this morning, SFD will issue an update midday.

Our Water Rescue Team member injured during rescue operations at Springfield Lake on Sunday has been released from the h...
06/15/2026

Our Water Rescue Team member injured during rescue operations at Springfield Lake on Sunday has been released from the hospital.

“I am proud of the response by our Water Rescue Team and members of the fire department to this tragic incident, and thankful that all of our firefighters are safe and on the path to recovery from their injuries,” said Fire Chief David Pennington.

Thirty members of the SFD responded to the incident on Sunday, along with approximately 25 other responders from fire service, law enforcement and EMS agencies.

“I want to thank our emergency response partners at the Springfield Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Department, the Springfield, MO Police Department, Greene County Sheriff's Office, Battlefield Fire Protection District and Logan Rogersville Fire Protection District and their water rescue teams, CoxHealth and CoxHealth EMS, and the Missouri Dept. of Conservation for their assistance during the emergency response and search and recovery efforts,” said Chief Pennington.

The Tailwaters Access below the dam at Springfield Lake remains closed to facilitate fire department operations.

“Our search efforts have included shore-based searches on foot and using UTVs, a water-based search using boats, and flights with SPD and SFD drones, to include use of thermal capabilities, covering nearly a mile and a half of the river,” said Chief Pennington.

SFD members have been rotating on scene throughout the day and will remain until dark. Efforts are anticipated to resume Tuesday morning.

“I have the utmost respect for the men and women of the Springfield Fire Department, who courageously run toward danger to save lives,” said Mayor Jeff Schrag. "Sunday’s water rescue operation at Lake Springfield was heroic. We all owe our water rescue team and those supporting them a huge debt of gratitude. We wish those injured a quick recovery.”

City Manager David Cameron shared his gratitude in a message to members of the Springfield Fire Department, Logan-Rogersville and Battlefield fire protection districts Monday afternoon.

“… After reflecting on yesterday's events, I am reminded that emergency response is more than a profession; it is a calling. I had the opportunity to witness not only the rescue operation itself, but also the remarkable cooperation among agencies and the quiet acts of service that often go unnoticed. I saw firefighters supporting one another, standing by family and injured sisters and brothers, and even stepping forward to cover shifts so others could remain where they were needed most. Those moments spoke just as loudly as the rescue effort itself… I am proud that your efforts helped bring one victim to safety. At the same time, my thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the three individuals who are still unaccounted for. As search and recovery efforts continue, we are reminded of the profound human toll of this tragedy and the difficult work you are called to perform on behalf of our community.”

Water Rescue Team photo not from this incident.

We resumed search operations for those missing following an incident at Springfield Lake on Sunday. Fire Chief David Pen...
06/15/2026

We resumed search operations for those missing following an incident at Springfield Lake on Sunday.

Fire Chief David Pennington states that members of the Water Rescue Team will remain on scene throughout the day and asks that the public avoid the area.

“Water conditions at Springfield Lake near and below the dam remain dangerous and should be avoided. I also ask that people avoid walking over the dam or leaning over the railing for their safety,” Pennington said.

On Sunday, four people were swept over the dam. One person, a juvenile female, was rescued by members of the Water Rescue Team. Three remain missing.

Water Rescue Team photo from a previous incident.

06/15/2026

Springfield Fire Chief David Pennington has confirmed that three SFD firefighters were transported to CoxHealth as a result of injuries sustained during a rescue operation at Lake Springfield Sunday. Two have been discharged and one is being evaluated in the emergency room and will likely be admitted. A juvenile rescued by the team also remains at CoxHealth.

Three people are still unaccounted for and Pennington said search operations have paused until the morning because conditions are too dangerous to continue in the dark.

“We have searched everywhere they could be above water. We do not believe them to be at the surface,” the Chief said, further categorizing tomorrow’s efforts to be recovery rather than rescue.

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2620 W Battlefield Road
Springfield, MO
65807

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+14178742300

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