Aug 6th 2010:
6:15 A.M.
House Fire 1321 E, Denver, Park City
MAP
Reserve E32 on scene gave fire showing, E32 was fire attack, T32 assisted fire attack, 91 was command, E37 was RIC, and SQ3 was utilities.
Companies Responded:
E32, 37, 33
T32, T37
WFD SQ3
91
July 1st 2010:
3:13 P.M.
House Fire 4650 N. Hillcrest
MAP
E37 on scene advising heavy fire showing, E37 gave heavy fire from a block away, E37 was fire attack, Tender 37 was water supply and command, WFD SQ14 search and rescue, BAT32 took command, Fire attack crews found heavy fire in the attic, WFD Q18 was RIC, Q18 put up their stick and knocked the fire back.
HD Video
Companies Responded:
SCFD E37, 32, 38
WFD Q18, 14
SCFD T37
WFD SQ10,14,2,11
SCFD T37
WFD BAT3
SCFD BAT32, 34
WFD Safety officer (182)
WFD Medical officer (184)
SCFD Fire Marshal (92)
SCFD Investigator (51)
SCFD Deputy Chief (91)
SCFD Safety Chief (85)
SCFD Safety Captain (86)
Emergency Mgmt ESU
WFD MA1
2:43 A.M.
House Fire 7240 S. Chautauqua
MAP
SQ19 on scene giving a fully involved defensive fire, SQ19 was fire attack, Q19 took initial command, SQ36 assisted Q19 with water supply, E36 was exposure protection, BAT2 took command, Q34/SQ19/SQ36/E36 were fire attack, Q19 set its stick and knocked the fire down. Once crews entered the house after the fire was knocked down they found the body of the home owner.
Companies Responded:
SCFD E36
WFD Q19
SCFD Q34
WFD SQ19,2
SCFD T34
SCFD SQ36
WFD TR2
DFD E2
WFD BAT2
SCFD BAT34
WFD Safety officer (182)
WFD Medical officer (184)
FIU (171)
WFD MA1
June 29th 2010:
4:19 P.M.
House Fire 11510 E. Pawnee
MAP
SQ15 gave smoke showing from 2 miles away, SQ15 on scene giving heavy fire showing, SQ15 was fire attack, Q15 took command and assisted with fire attack, E6 was search and rescue, E20/TN36 was water supply, BAT32 took command, T3 was RIC, E20 relieved fire attack
Companies Responded:
WFD E6, 20
SCFD E38, 36
SCFD T36, 32
WFD Q15
WFD SQ15
WFD TR3
WFD BAT3
SCFD BAT32, 34
WFD Safety officer (183)
SCFD Fire Marshal (92)
SCFD Investigator (52)
Emergency Mgmt ESU
SCFD MA37
May 1st 2010:
12:30 P.M.
Barn Fire 71st St S & 135th St W
MAP
Q34 on scene found a fully involved barn. Need more info.
Companies Responded:
E 39
Q 34
T 34, 35, 17
WFD SQ 2
Clearwater Fire
Bat 34, 32
MA37
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7 Engines
- 6 Squads
- 2 Quints
- 6 Water Tenders
- 3 Brush Trucks
- 2 Battalion Chief Vehicles
- 1 Heavy Rescue
- 1 Haz-Mat
- 1 Mobile Air/Utility
- 4 Administration Vehicles
- 4 Fire Prevention Vehicles
Battalion 32
Battalion 34
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Untitled Document
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History of Sedgwick County Fire District # 1
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Part I, 1947 to 1990
Sedgwick County Fire District #1 has a history that dates back to 1947. The County Highway Department purchased a 1917 Seagrave pumper. This pumper was used by volunteers to put out bridge fires. They also used other homemade equipment. Over time, citizens learned of this practice and began calling the county yards to report fires. A large majority of unincorporated areas were without fire protection.
The Wichita Fire Department was the only community with a paid fire department. It operated from ten stations and provided fire protection within the city limits. Fire stations at that time were located at 3rd and Water (#1), Lewis and Topeka (#2), 18th and Market (#3), Douglas and Martinson (#4), 2nd and Hillside (#5), Bailey and Broadway (#6), Porter and Franklin (#7), 3rd and Wabash (#8), Dellrose and Kellogg (#9), and 17th and Grove (#10).
Volunteer fire departments capabilitiy was limited and could be found only in Cheney, Clearwater, Colwich, Mount Hope, Mulvane, and Valley Center. Equipment at that time was few and far between. For example, Mulvane's fire department only had a 1927 International/Boyer pumper with a small pump and tank. Valley Center had two 1915 and 1917 Chemical Fire Engines with 45 gallon tanks.
Recognizing the need for more adequate fire protection, the county firefighters became organized. A Ford F-7 fire truck was purchased in 1948 capable of hauling nearly 500 gallons of water and pumping at a capacity of 500 gallons per minute. Calls continued to increase and a 1948 Ford F-8 fire truck was purchased. In 1950, a Ford F-8 1,700 gallon water tanker was purchased. By 1952, fire calls continued to increase to a point that firefighters were forced to discontinue all protection except that for county bridges.
As a result, fire protection capabilities continued to expand throughout the county.
The county provided fire protection into areas such as Derby. With extended response times from the Stillwell Yard, Derby elected to establishe it's own fire department. Training was provided the the new volunteer firefighters by members of both Sedgwick County and Wichita Fire Departments. The volunteer firefighters continued to also increase the capabilities of their department. Apparatus capable of pumping 500 to 1,000 gallons per minute were being purchased. These apparatus were also capable of hauling water in 500 to 1,000 gallon water tanks. Equipment was updated and included boots, coats, and helments. The two-way radio was installed in all front-line SCFD apparatus. The self-contained breathing apparatus was also purchased and used for firefighting operations.
The Kansas legislature passed legislation allowing counties to create fire departments and levy taxes to support them during 1953. Areas such as Rose Hill, which were without rural fire protection, established fire districts. The Civil Defense Act also allowed surplus military equipment to be loaned to rural fire districts for the use firefighting. This is a predessor to the present Federal Excess Property Program by Kansas Forest Service.
Old military equipment was being outfitted with pumps and water tanks for firefighting.
In 1954, Sedgwick County became a full-time paid county fire department. This is a first of it's kind in Kansas. Five Ford F-9 pumpers and three Ford F-8 tankers were purchased. The first firefighters were hired and training began later that year.
In 1955, four county fire stations were opened at Central and Webb (#1), 53rd North and Broadway (#2), Maple and Tyler (#3), and Broadway and 55th (#4). Raymond Davis was appointed as the first fire chief. The county operated with 36 firefighters working a 24-on/24-off schedule. The first dispatchers were hired in 1956. They worked out of the sheriff's office dispatch radio room in the old county courthouse.
Fire continued to take it's toll on the county. During 1957, seven firemen were overcome with heat exhaustion while fighting a blaze. A fire and explosion erupted at the Andale Co-op. In 1960, the Blue Note Ballroom near 31st Street South and Oliver was destroyed by fire. Flames destroyed a railroad diesel building near 25th Street North and Cleveland causing a loss of $1,000,000.
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The Fireman's Relief Association of Fire District #1 was formed in 1961. In 1963, the International Association of Firefighters, Local Number 1474, was formed. Sedgwick County Fire Station #5 was opened near 247th West and Highway 54 outside of Goddard.
Station #6 was also opened at 63rd and Rock Road near Derby. The county fire department's administrative offices were moved to Station #1 from the county courthouse.
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Photo by Andy Thomas
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In 1962, Sedgwick County Fire Department purchased a 65-foot Snorkel articulating platform. This was the first county aerial device. It was built by Pierce and was mounted on a Ford C chassis. It was also equipped with a 750 gallon per minute pump. Another purchase included a 1969 Ford C/Boardman with a 750 gallon per minute pump and 500 gallon water tank was purchased.
During the 1970's, Sedgwick County purchased a variety of apparatus. Five 1971 Ford 9000/Pierce front-mounted 1,000 gallon per minute pumpers were purchased equipped with 600 gallon water tanks. They also purchased several Ford 9000 water tankers with 1,750 gallon water tanks and 750 gallon per minute front mount pumps. Four-wheel-drive pickups were put into service equipped with 150 gallon per minute pumps and 250 gallon water tanks for grass fires.
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Photo by Kelly Hong
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In 1973, the county opened Station #7 at 43rd and Woodlawn in Bel Aire. The administrative offices were moved from the courthouse to the basement. County firefighter Gerald Loyd died in the line of duty during this time. |
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In 1975, Raymond Davis retires as fire chief and Gary Nichols is appointed as his replacement in 1976. Sedgwick County begins Emergency Medical Services and the fire department provided drivers for EMS units that run out of county station 1, 2, 3, and 5.
A three-platoon system began giving firefighters 48-hours off between shifts. All department members become certified Emergency Medical Technicians by 1976. Fire protection is expanded to include airport and aircraft firefighting with the boom in the aviation industry. Wichita Municipal Airport and later Mid-Continent Airport establish fire protection brigades, goverened under operated the City of Wichita.
By 1978, Centralized dispatching began for all emergency services in the county. The emergency communications center operate from the basement of the county courthouse. International Association of Firefighters Local 2612 was formed after Local 1474 was disbanded. The department also formed an honor guard during this time.
Public safety responsibilities continued to expand in 1979. Sedgwick County Fire Department joined the Wichita Fire Department in a partnership to establish a hazardous materials response team. The county also put into effect a burn ban throughout the county to help in decreasing the number of fires.
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In 1980, Station #3 was closed and relocated to 151st Street West and 53rd Street North near Colwich. Station #4 is also closed and relocated to 71st Street South and West near Haysville. Crews respond to the Clearwater Trucking Company for a building fire on north Broadway. SCFD also responded to the Devonshire apartment fire in Wichita which prompted mutual-aid discussions between the city and county.
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Photo by Andy Thomas
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Photo by Aaron Mattson
(Pickup 7)
Photo by Aaron Mattson
(Engine 3)
Photo by Aaron Mattson (Engine 7)
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Mini-stations 8 and 9 are opened in 1981. Station 9 was identical to a home and located near Forrestview and Maple. The City of Wichita and Sedgwick County signed their first initial first-responder agreement in 1982. Under this agreement, the closest available fire department would respond. The Division Chief position was established in 1983.
Fire apparatus improvements continued during the 1980's. Pickup's 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 utilized Ford F350 four-wheel-drive pickups equipped with 150 gallon per minute pumps and 250 gallon water tanks. A Chevy suburban was purchased as a district chief vehicle responding from Station 4. A Pierce 100-foot aerial platform equipped with a 1,250 gallon per minute pump and 300 gallon water tank was put into service in 1984. It was designated as AP4.Most of the pumpers were 1971 to 1979 Ford 9000/Pierce front-mounted 1,000 gpm pumpers with a 600 gallon water tank. They were assigned as Engine 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The older 1960's Ford pumpers were becoming aged and slowly removed from service.
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Tankers were mounted on Ford 9000 chassis. These 1971 to 1979 models were equipped with a 750 gpm front-mounted pumps and 1,750 gallon water tanks. They also carried a portable water tank. In 1984, Tank 3 put into service a 2,500 gallon water tanker with a 400 gpm mid-ship pump.
The county began water rescue operations and a boat was housed at Stations 5 and 8. Mini-pumpers were purchased and housed at Stations 2, 4, and 9. |
Photo by Aaron Mattson
(Tender 3)
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Photo by Andy Thomas
Photo by Aaron Mattson
(Engine 6) |
In 1986, Station 8 was opened near 143rd East and Central. The City and County sign into a first-responder operation agreement. Station 1 and mini-station 8 are closed. Engine 6 puts into service a GMC/Smeal 1,250 gpm pumper with a 600 gallon water tank.
In 1987, a major grass fire erupts near 71st and Rock Road in Derby.
To be continued....
(Part 2 coming soon)
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All information provided by Aaron Mattson. If you would like to add to this history page, please feel free to e-mail the webmaster.
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