Rich in Family Roots

Fire Service in the Schrage Family

The love for fire service started as far back as the early 1930’s with Emil Henry Schrage being an electrician and firefighter for the PPG Company in Crystal City, MO. His son, grandsons, great-grandsons, and great-great-grandson would follow in his footsteps. From both his son, Robert Lee Schrage and grandson, Michael Emil Schrage, being both electricians and firefighters, to his grandson Robert Lee Jr. being a firefighter, and great-grandson Scott Nengel being a firefighter, along with Scott’s son, his great-great-grandson, Corey Nengel, being a firefighter. Alongside the Schrage family were Walter and Albert Drissell, who were brothers-in-law to Emil Schrage, joining the Crystal City Fire Department in 1940.

Robert Lee Schrage joined the Crystal City Fire Department in 1963, and also spent time as a volunteer at the Festus and Goose Creek Departments. Robert and his wife Wanda served as the FFAM Grand Marshall’s in 1996 at the convention.

Michael E Schrage joined the Crystal City department in June 1967 as a volunteer. Michael also volunteered at the Festus & Jefferson R-7 Departments, and worked at JPAD in 1975 as an EMT. On May 23, 1978, Michael graduated from Jefferson College with a Degree in Fire Science Technology. Michael was promoted from Captain to Assistant Chief of the Crystal City Fire Department in 2008, and honored for 50 years in fire service in 2017. In 2027, he will celebrate 60 years in fire service. In 2013, Michael was honored as Fire Chief of the Year and in 2016 as Grand Marshal, both for the Jefferson County Fire Engine Rally.

Robert L. Schrage Jr. joined the Crystal City Fire Dept. with his first call being 2/24/1975, and was honored in 2025 for 50 years of service. Rob has volunteered for Crystal City, Festus and Jefferson R-7. Rob graduated from the University of Missouri Fire Training program in 1978. He graduated from the FEMA National Fire Academy in 2009. He served as Firefighter of the Year in 2013 and Grand Marshal in 2018 for the Jefferson County Fire Engine Rally.

Timothy (Scott) Nengel joined the Crystal City Fire Department on October 6, 1987, and volunteered there thru October 1990, as well as January 2015 thru June 2023. Scott was a volunteer for the Antonia Fire Protection Dist. From November 1990 through June 1998, and in July 1998 became a full time firefighter. While working at Antonia, he became an EMT in 1993. Scott left Antonia and joined Herculaneum in August 2023 before leaving in May 2026. Scott is currently a volunteer at Goose Creek Fire Department. Scott has his Missouri Division of Fire Safety 1 & 2 Certifications, as well as Instructor 1, Fire CO. Officer 1 & 2 and Driver Operator. Scott also has his University of Missouri Fire Rescue Co. Officer Certificate and Fire Service Leadership Certificate.

Corey Nengel became a 4th generation firefighter when he became a Junior Firefighter for Crystal City at the age of 16. As a 2018 Graduate of Seckman High School, Corey obtained his Missouri Division of Fire Safety 1 & 2 Certifications and his EMT license. In February 2019, Corey started full-time employment as a firefighter with DeSoto City, working there through December 2023, when he joined the Herculaneum Department. Corey was with the Herculaneum Department through April 2026, when he joined the Crystal City Fire Department as their first full-time paid firefighter.