KSFFA's Fire News Blog

Wyandotte Daily News – October 31, 2014

A firefighter suffered an injured shoulder while fighting a fire at a night club at 508 Kansas Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

According to the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department spokesman, the firefighter was taken to the hospital nonemergency to be evaluated.

The fire was reported at 9:44 a.m. Oct. 31. Arriving within three minutes, fire crews reported heavy smoke coming from the roof on the north side of the building, the spokesman said.

Firefighters searched the building and found no one inside. The fire was located in the basement area, and the fire had spread in the walls, the Fire Department spokesman said.

Within 20 minutes, the fire was knocked down. Fire crews continued to hit hot spots in the basement area, according to the Fire Department.

The fire investigator responded and investigated the fire.

The Fire Department estimated the pre-fire value of the structure and contents at $1 million, the estimated loss to the structure and contents at $50,000.

There were no smoke detectors present, the Fire Department stated.

By Kathleen Martin
Emporia Gazette – October 31, 2014

The Topeka Bomb Squad disposed of a suspicious substance today at the Lyon County Household Hazardous Waste facility, 3000 South Ave.

Sheriff Jeff Cope said a resident had dropped off old medication containers that contained picric acid. The acid had dried and started to crystallized and were potentially explosive. The incident was reported around 10:45 a.m.

The Emporia Fire Department was called, and the Lyon County Sheriff Department was then notified. The recycling center, transfer station and hazardous waste center were evacuated, and South Avenue was shut down. After the Topeka Bomb Squad came, the picric acid was destroyed.

If a suspicious substance such as picric acid is found, Cope recommends calling a first responder immediately.

“You probably want to treat it like nitroglycerin acid,” Cope said. Nitroglycerin is used in producing TNT, a highly explosive substance.

The scene was cleared just after 2 p.m. Cope said such incidents are rare in Emporia.

By John Wright
KWCH – October 31, 2014

A barn was damaged after the roof caught fire in the 5800 block of North Seneca Friday afternoon.

A 911 Wichita-Sedgwick County dispatcher said the fire was called in about 1:30 p.m. It was confirmed a horse perished in the blaze. The cause of fire remains under investigation. There’s no word of any people being injured in the fire. Wichita and Sedgwick County firefighters responded to the scene.

Wellington Daily News – October 31, 2014

Photo by Amber Schmitz.

A house fire at 1323 North B Street in Wellington caused extensive damage to a house and its contents, local fire officials said.

When firefighters arrived at 10:40 Friday morning, they found heavy smoke coming from the structure.

Firefighters made entry through the front door and found extensive fire in the attic area. Firefighters had to cut holes in the roof for ventilation and pull ceilings in the majority of the house to extinguish the fire.

The occupants of the home discovered the fire and made it out of the structure without injury. Due to fire, smoke and water damage the house and contents suffered considerable damage. The occupants had no insurance and the homeowner is not available yet for insurance information.

Occupants were listed as Tonya Ortega and Justin Myers, along with a baby and a dog. No injuries were reported.

Fire officials estimated the damage at $10,000.

Great Bend Tribune – October 31, 2014

Great Bend Fire Department will hold its 10th annual spaghetti supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 723 Main. Admission is $5, and children under 5 eat free. There will also be a drawing for prizes.
Tickets for the dinner and the drawing are available at either fire station and at the door. This year’s prizes, donated by area businesses, include a Las Vegas package, Green Mountain grill, four guns, an iPad, $250 furniture store gift certificate and a garage door opener.

By Erin Mathews
Salina Journal – October 26, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

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An Assaria man was in critical condition Saturday evening in the burn unit at Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis after he was severely electrically shocked while attempting to assist the driver of a piece of farm equipment that had come into contact with high voltage electric lines, authorities said.

Zachary Short, 24, was flown to the Wichita hospital after he touched the electrically charged tractor and grain cart shortly before 1 p.m. near the intersection of Ohio Street and Farrelly Road, Saline County Sheriff’s deputy Chad Flesher said.

Flesher said John Tinkler, 55, Short and two other men had finished cutting Tinkler’s soybean field on the east side of Ohio that morning, and after their lunch break they parked a semitrailer on the side of the road to load the beans into.

Tinkler went to get the tractor pulling the grain cart but didn’t notice or didn’t think about the uploading auger boom being extended on the grain cart, Flesher said.

Flesher said the semi had been parked under power lines that ran along the side of Ohio, and when Tinkler pulled up next to the semi, the auger boom that would have transferred the soybeans into the semi came in contact with the power lines.

Tinkler was unaware that the lines had been contacted, but the electric current apparently caused sparks, and he smelled something burning and looked back to see one of the tractor’s tires on fire, Flesher said. He radioed for someone to bring a fire extinguisher from the service truck and got out of the tractor cab.

Felt a jolt

Flesher said Tinkler felt a jolt as he brushed against the grain cart but didn’t realize the extent of the problem.

Short got a fire extinguisher from the service truck and was vaulting over the hitch between the tractor and grain cart when he was thrown backwards and collapsed against the frame of the grain cart, Flesher said.

He said one of the other men helping with the harvest found a plastic shovel in the truck and was able to move Short away from the electric current with the shovel.

The power lines had become tangled around the auger and were pulled onto the tractor, which became fully engulfed in flames, said Saline County Rural Fire District No. 2 Chief Jim Preston. He said the power lines were in their normal position prior to the incident–the unloading auger just didn’t clear them.

Flesher said the power lines “melted and draped on top of the tractor.”

“They were arcing and sparking, and you don’t want to throw water on live electricity,” Flesher said.

The fire burned hot because of the fuel and oil and totally destroyed the tractor, as well as heavily damaging the grain cart, Preston said. Firefighters had to allow the tractor to burn until the fire burned the wires off and Westar Energy workers got the power cut.

“It was not safe to do anything until they got the power shut off,” Preston said.

Mike Bowers, a spokesman for Westar, said eight area customers were without power as a result of the incident Saturday afternoon until the electricity could be re-routed.

Topeka Metro News – October 27, 2014
Submitted to Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

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Rossville Fire Department held their annual coloring contest for students at Rossville Grade during Fire Safety Week, which was October 6th through the 10th.

The winners of the contest are pictured above from left to right: Maggie Sanders, 1st; Brooklyn Gama, Kdg.; Brooke Linsey, 5th; Wade Twombly, 4th; Kinsey Perine, 3rd; Ella Manning, 2nd; and Peyton Price, 6th. The students arrived at RGS with Captain Travis Thompson and Chief Alan McKenzie in the fire trucks with lights on. Travis also spent time with students in the morning discussing the importance of smoke detectors, when to dial 9-1-1, how to get out of a fire, where to go, and what to do if your clothes catch on fire. Students enjoyed the demonstration of the Boomer Fire truck.

Manhattan Mercury – October 27, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

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A Riley County fire truck loads its gear after responding to a small electrical fire Monday morning at Ogden Elementary School. Children were evacuated, but the smoke was contained to the principal’s office. No one was hurt in the accident.

Coffey County Republican – October 28, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

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Coffey County sheriff’s deputies were called to New Strawn City Lake at 7:42 a.m. Monday on the report of a car in the lake. Officers found a 2000 Buick LeSabre partially submerged. The driver, Larise Rouse, 19, New Strawn, said she was unable to open either of the front doors, so she crawled over the seat and exited through one of the back passenger doors. She was uninjured. Her father, Michael Rouse, said Larise was on her way to work. She was southbound on Fourth Street and turned east onto Neosho Street. As she turned the corner, her vehicle went into the north ditch. She overcorrected, clipped a guardrail on the south side of the road and drove into the lake. Jeff’s Towing and Recovery, New Strawn, pulled the vehicle from the lake.

Hanover News – October 10, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

In honor of those who lost their lives during the 9-11 attacks, RSVP has made it a point to honor our local First Responders during the month of September. During the month, RSVP volunteers delivered boxes full of cinnamon rolls to the police departments, ambulance personnel, fire departments, Sheriff’s office, and other First Responders in Marshall and Washington Counties.

According to Executive Director, Joni Spellmeier, 362 rolls were delivered by RSVP volunteers to 24 different stations in the two counties.

Spellmeier wants to remind everyone to remember and thank these wonderful people for their service in your own way.

RSVP, which is a volunteer program for adults 55 years of age and older in Marshall and Washington Counties in Kansas has adopted the mission to provide our citizen’s, ages 55 and older, a variety of opportunities to participate more fully in the life of their community through significant volunteer service.

Harper Advocate – October 15, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

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Harper firefighters gave truck rides, showed off fire trucks and talked the usual “Stop, Drop & Roll” for Fire Prevention Week last week. Captain Dale Bebermeyer intrigues all but one at the Mennonite church preschool.

Assistant Chief Mark Darnell lets first graders try out a wildland truck nozzle.

Parsons Sun – October 28, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

A Cherryvale man died and his daughter was injured in a one-vehicle rollover accident at Big Hill Lake Saturday afternoon.

Labette County 911 dispatchers received a call at 4:11 p.m. Saturday of a one-vehicle accident north of 19000 Road on the Cherryvale Parkway.

Peter C. Melton, 29, of Cherryvale was driving a 1999 Pontiac four-door southbound on the paved road when the vehicle left the road on the east side, entered the ditch and struck an embankment. The vehicle then overturned on the road.

It ended up in the west ditch against a stand of trees.

Melton was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. His daughter, Alexa B. Melton, 7, was treated at the scene and taken to Labette Health.

Sheriff Robert Sims said the girl wore a seat belt. There is no indication at this point that Mr. Melton wore a seat belt.

Sims said officers retrieved the computer module under the passenger seat of the vehicle to help with the accident investigation. The module may provide details about speed and perhaps other vehicle indicators before the accident. Modules in late model cars provide a lot more detail. Collecting this data is becoming routine in fatality accidents and some injury accidents.

It may take several weeks to get back the data from the Kansas Highway Patrol troopers who specialize in retrieving the data from the modules.

Norton Telegram – October 28, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

Photo by Dana Paxton. Click on photo to view full-size image.

Last Wednesday at 5:45 p.m., Tanner Jessup of Phillipsburg was driving a 2006 black F160 pickup heading east on Highway 383 pulling a horse trailer when he lost control of the vehicle and trailer. Both the pickup and trailer entered the south ditch and the driver over-corrected causing loss of control. Both the truck and trailer crossed back over the road and entered the north ditch and rolled. The driver walked away with no injuries.

Parsons Sun – October 28, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

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Mound Valley Fire Department firefighter Allen Winters lets Mound Valley Grade School first grade students check out Engine 4 during a recent hands-on learning adventure.

KSFFA Regional Fire School
hosted by Kearny County Fire Department
November 1-2, 2014
Lakin, KS – 1201 W Kingman Ave.

November 1 – Saturday Morning – 8 a.m.

1.  Vehicle Extrication – 8 hrs. – Bunker Gear Required – CE for EMS
2.  Defensive Driving – 8 hrs. – CE for EMS
3.  Fire Behavior/Fire Extinguishers – 4 hrs
4.  KU SCBA Confidence Trailer – Must pre-register at least 10 days before school – Bunker Gear & SCBA Required.

November 1 – Saturday Afternoon – 1 p.m.

1.  Vehicle Extrication, cont.
2.  Defensive Driving, cont.
3.  Wildland Fire – 4 hrs.
4.  Ventilation – 4 hrs.

November 2 – Sunday Morning – 8 a.m.

1.  Lessons Learned – 4 hrs.
2.  Vehicle Fires – 4 hrs. – Bunker Gear & SCBA Required
3.  Fire Cause & Determination – 4 hrs.

November 2 – Sunday Afternoon – Noon

1.  KSFFA Burn Trailer – Full Bunker Gear & SCBA Required

All classes are free of charge. Fit testing with port-a-count machine will be at this school. If you need Firefighter 1 or 2 testing you will have to pre-register through Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute.

For more information contact Troy Wolf, KSFFA Southwest Trustee at 620-492-1861.

Marysville Advocate – October 23, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

The Marysville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a small shed fire about a half-mile north of Horseshoe Creek on the west side of U.S. Highway 77 at about 7 p.m. Friday.

The cause of the fire was not yet determined early this week, said Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Rockwell.

The fire burned part of the shed’s roof. Rockwell said there were no injuries.

Neodesha Derrick – October 23, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

Photo by Mary Ann Bauman. Click on photo to view full-size image.

Oldtimers can recall when they walked miles to school, uphill in both directions. Local students will now get to spin the same yarn to their grandchildren someday. In celebration for Walk to School Day on October 8, approximately 100 elementary children, teachers joined personnel from the Neodesha Fire and Police Departments in walking to school. The event was held to promote fitness and save gasoline. Above, Neodesha Firefighter Shanna Adee is shown accompanying youngsters on North Eighth Street.

Russell County News – October 23, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

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Labette Avenue – October 22, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

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By John Wright
KWCH – October 31, 2014

Wichita firefighters made quick work of a house fire late Thursday night.

It happened about nine o’clock in the 600 block of North Edgemoor. Battalion Chief Andy Cole said the fire started from a faulty chimney flue that might have caught some debris on fire.

Chief Cole said the fire was brought under control in about 15-minutes. Crews had to cut a hole in the roof. He said a man, woman and their two pets made it out safely. The damage was estimated at $50,000 to the home and contents.

Stockton Sentinel – October 30, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 31, 2014

A small pasture fire at the Tom and Ruth Ann Bigge residence nearly 3/4 of a mile north of Highway 24 on 17 Road on Saturday afternoon drew the attention of the Stockton Fire Department.

The call came in at approximately 2:15 p.m. At the location, fire personnel found a small pasture fire with some old tires and lumber involved. The fire was easily contained.

Fire crew member Kody Niblock fell and cut a gash in his hand while working the fire, sending him to the hospital for stitches.

Fire personnel were at the scene about an hour and a half.

By Jeni Payne
Winfield Courier – October 31, 2014

The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department has acquired a new truck to fight grass fires.

On Oct. 8, ACFD received a military surplus “deuce and a half” on the back of a tractor-trailer. The truck is a 1990 automatic diesel with less than 5,000 miles on its odometer.

When asked about the particulars of the truck, ACFD Lt. Kyle Riedl smiled and said, “What do you want to know? It’s big. And it’s green.”

The tires on the vehicle are still factory new. Vehicles in similar condition are being sold outright for $16,000 or more.

One of the most exciting details about this new vehicle was its cost. There is a program that takes military excess property and redistributes it to firefighting units.

To receive the vehicle, ACFD had to pay only the shipping charges. For this vehicle, that cost was $180.

There are a few stipulations the program puts on the receiving departments. Changing the paint and retrofitting the vehicle to fight grass fires must be done within 180 days of receipt.

The 1,000-gallon tank from the yellow 1968 6X6 that served as the department’s prior grass fire truck will be mounted to the new truck during the retrofit.

The fire department also must adhere to weight restrictions put on the vehicle by the Kansas Forestry Service. “The vehicle is ours to be used, within (certain) guidelines,” said Fire-EMS Chief Bobby Wolfe.

The fire-EMS department has bids out now for paint and the retrofit. It also will have to bring the vehicle’s lights up to Kansas Department of Transportation standards, as well as adding the light bar.

The new deuce and a half will have a safety feature that its predecessor did not — seat belts.

“My main concern is that my men are safe,” Wolfe said. “In the ’68, they were not.”

The primary use of the new truck will be to access wildland grass fires and, because the mechanics of the truck are water-tight up to 6 feet deep, assist with flood rescue efforts.

Another handy feature of the new vehicle is the Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS), which provides the driver with control of air pressure in each tire.

So the driver can drive to the fire, let air out of the tires to maneuver the truck to the fire and then inflate the tires when the call is ended.

The ability not only provides greater maneuverability, but also extends the life of the truck, tires and drive train.

With its more advanced features, the new truck will be great for the rocky terrain east of Arkansas City. It will be able to go where average-sized pickups cannot.

By Carol Lacer
Chapman and Enterprise News Times – October 23, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

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Children at the Wee Lads and Lasses preschool were visited by firefighter Craig Klukas last week, not only because October is National Fire Prevention Month, but also because they are learning the letter “F”.

Klukas’s wife, Miss Jessica, preschool paraprofessional, invited her husband to the classes, where he shared three presentations, one for the morning and afternoon classes at Wee Lads and Lasses, and one for the Wee Irish children next door.

Klukas began his presentation without his garb and equipment on, but as he added his flame resistant coat, mask, air tank and helmet, he began to look like someone or something the children might be afraid of.

“Don’t be scared if you have a fire and you see someone who looks like this,” Klukas told them.

Chapman Fire Chief said in a later interview that when the firefighters visit the children, they want the children to know that under the mask and garb is a person who is trying to help.

“We are still the same person, but once we get the mask on, all they can see is our eyes,” Simmons said.

Simmons encouraged the children not to be afraid or to hide from them.

“Kids can get scared and hide in a closet or under a bed, and it makes it hard to find them,” Simmons said.

Klukas said under all the garb it was pretty warm, but the uniforms are made with special insulation to keep the firefighters from getting burned.

Klukas also took tools off the firetruck one by one to show the children, allowing them to touch or hold them, including a hose and the tool that opens a fire hydrant.

The children were also shown the tools used for opening locked houses which are on fire, such as a sledgehammer and ax. He also showed them a portable ladder, saying sometimes it is used to get on a roof if the roof is not too high. For taller buildings, another ladder on the truck would be used.

Klukas told the children that girls can be firefighters too, and said the Chapman Fire Department has a girl who serves with them. She is Erin Perry, a Chapman High School grad.

The children were also encouraged to sit in the firetruck and view the interior.

Wee Lads and Lasses Preschool teacher Kim Shafer appreciated Klukas visiting the classes.

“The kids are enjoying it and learning a lot,” Shafer said. “We also had a weekly reader about fire safety, so we’ve been talking about it all week. It came together very well.”

On behalf of Fire Prevention Month, Chief Simmons said the important things for children and adults alike to remember is to get out of the house, and have a meeting place with your family.

“Have an escape route, and practice it. Have a place outside where everyone will meet, so you can know everyone is safe,” Simmons said. He said having a meeting place outside also helps the fire department when they get there, to know that everyone is out of the house.

Simmons warned people not to go back inside for pets, which can result in the child or parent getting injured.

“Usually pets take care of themselves, or they find a way out,” Simmons said.

Vindicator – October 23, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

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The inflatable bouncy house was popular with children when Fire District No. 11 held open house October 11 in Valley Falls. But they were also given a closeup look at crime-fighting dog, K-9 Tana.

Rose Rozmiarek, chief of investigation, and K-9 Tana work as a team to solve arson crimes. Tana is an accelerant detection dog.

The team gave demonstrations about every half hour at the fire station. Some of the children were used in one demonstration when Rozmiarek put a slight drop of kerosene on a child’s shoe and the dog, checking out all the children, quickly spotted the right one.

K-9 Tana carries a badge and the two have helped solve crimes throughout Kansas.

“This dog has helped convict a number of arsonists, but also people who have committed murder,” Rozmiarek said.

She said humans are fairly good at determining what might have started a fire, but an arson dog’s nose is 10,000 times stronger at detecting an accelerant. The dog often discovers things that would have been overlooked by people.

When not on duty, K-9 Tana lives with the Rozmiarek family.

A large crowd was also on hand for the landing of a LifeStar helicopter, whose crew allowed a close-up look at the air ambulance.

The previous day firefighters took their “fire prevention” message to school, accompanied by Sparky, the fire dog.

Members of the new Explorer’s Club for high school students helped with the school presentations and the open house.

Every child in the fourth grade was given a smoke detector provided by a local business.

The activities were all part of Fire Prevention Week.

Montgomery County Chronicle – October 9, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

Photo by Andy Taylor. Click on photo to view full-size image.

Members of the Coffeyville Fire Department visited Holy Name Catholic School on Monday for the observance of National Fire Prevention Week. Capt. Robert Roesky led the students in a “stop, drop and roll” drill to illustrate the importance of extinguishing flames when a person’s clothing catches on fire. Fire Pup, the department’s mascot, also made an appearance at the school for the fire education program.

By Linda Stinnett
Derby Informer – October 30, 2014

Photo by Linda Stinnett. Click on photo to view full-size image.

A detached garage and its contents burned in a fire just after 4 this afternoon.

The garage, at 935 N. Derby, contained a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe and other contents. All will be a total loss, according to Fire Chief Brad Smith.

A cause of the fire has not been determined. Smith said the owner reported having a fire pit burning last night, so it will be investigated as a potential cause.

Both the home at 935 N. Derby and the house immediately to the south have damage to vinyl siding from the heat of the fire.

The neighbor was not at home at the time of the fire. Smith said firefighters did not force entry into that home, as they found no evidence the heat damage or any fire had gone into the home.

By Donna Celaya
Montgomery County Chronicle – October 9, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

The Cherryvale Fire and Rescue Department will conduct a series of practice burns as part of its ongoing firefighting training later this month.

CFR Chief Jesse Reed presented the department’s monthly report to the Cherryvale City Council Monday evening. He said the National Guard has donated six large shipping containers for the department to use at the burn facility, the former lead smelting property at the northwest edge of town.

The department is planning a burn facility work day on Saturday, October 25, and a tentative walk-through on November 8. If everything is in order, Reed said, the first practice burn will occur on Saturday, November 15.

Reed told the council the department has established its fire training schedule for the remainder of 2014 and 2015, and has invited other fire departments to participate in the training with CFR personnel. The schedule includes the department’s usual Wednesday night drills and some Saturdays.

Reed said the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services conducted the annual inspection on September 23, reviewing protocols, operational policies and procedures, ambulance and equipment, garaging, attendant certification cards, the roster, record of ambulance responses, patient care documentation and the quality assurance program.

All of that was to ensure compliance with the Kansas Administrative Regulations and Statutes, and the CFR received only one deficiency note, which was corrected within one week, he said.

“I want to thank our entire crew for ensuring we maintain excellent standards,” Reed said.

He said the department replaced all four tires on engine 503 when the side of the old tires developed cracks; and replaced two tires on engine 505 because of wear due to the need for an alignment. The new tires also were aligned.

Trucks 501 and 502 passed their annual pump tests without incident, No. 504 still is out of service, and all apparatus is in good working order, Reed said.

The department in September responded to 13 fire calls and 55 EMS calls involving 47 patients.

Reed said EMS responded within one minute of dispatch 78 percent of the time, up from 74 percent in August; and within three minutes of dispatch 93 percent of the time, down slightly from 94 percent in August.

The EMS unit arrived within 5 minutes of dispatch 78 percent of the time, down slightly from 79 percent in August; and within 10 minutes of dispatch 93 percent of the time, down slightly from 94 percent in August. Fifteen of the 55 calls were outside the city limits, requiring somewhat longer arrival times, he said.

Cheney Times Sentinel – October 9, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

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Cheney High School held “heroes Night” last Friday, honoring veterans and active military, police officers, firefighters and first responders. The heroes were honored before kickoff and the entire CHS football team shook their hands.

Topeka Capital Journal – October 30, 2014

The Topeka Fire Department on Saturday will launch a program designed to identify people who require special assistance during an emergency.

The fire department on Thursday sent out a news release about its new Special Assistance in Fire Emergencies program, which will provide information to responders that someone inside might be delayed or have problems evacuating themselves during an emergency.

The department says senior citizens with mobility issues, people with vision, hearing or other impairments, people confined to their beds or a wheelchair will benefit from the program.

The fire department will begin to accept applications for registrations for the program on Saturday. To register, go to www.topeka.org/tfd and click the S.A.F.E. Program link or call (785) 368-4000.

Participants will be required to give some basic information to register, including the type of assistance that might be needed. The fire department will contact people after reviewing applications.

Once the information is gathered and processed, it will be added to the 911 dispatch center database, so it can be relayed to responding personnel.

All registrations will have to be renewed annually.

By Rick Plumlee and Stan Finger
Wichita Eagle – October 30, 2014

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More Pictures

KSN Video

Update: Officials say at least four people are now dead and four are missing after a small plane reported losing engine power and crashed into the two-story FlightSafety International building at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport. The crash happened around 9:50 a.m. Thursday. It sent up huge plumes of black smoke which could be seen for miles around the city.

Five people have been transported to area hospitals. Officials are still trying to locate four of the approximately 100 people who were in the FlightSafety building at the time the plane struck the top of the building.

A twin-engine plane crashed Thursday morning on top of a building near Mid-Continent Airport, a Sedgwick County dispatcher said.

The plane crashed on top of a FlightSafety International building, 1851 S. Airport Road, according to a witness. The call came in to 911 at 9:49 a.m., dispatch said.

A Beechcraft King Air B200 crashed on the roof of the company’s home building, Flight Safety International spokesman Steve Phillips said.

FlightSafety provides flight training.

Reports of injuries or fatalities have not been confirmed.

Traffic both ways on Kellogg is backed-up and Airport Road is closed.

One witness, Ryan Weatherby, said the building was on fire.

By Mary Meyers
Atchison Globe – October 15, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

An accident in the home involving furniture and a television claimed the life of a 2-year-old child Monday in Atchison.

The young girl affectionately called “Allie Bug”–Allie Jade Rebant is the daughter of Nic and Sara Rebant.

Atchison Fire Chief Mike McDermed said emergency responders were dispatched shortly after noon to a call concerning a dresser that had fallen atop a 2-year-old child at a residence along North 17th Street.

McDermed said when Atchison Fire Department first responders arrived at 12:09 p.m. a paramedic from Atchison County EMS was at the scene. Firefighters assisted the paramedic to stabilize Allie for transport to Atchison Hospital.

McDermed said the responders’ report indicated when they arrived Allie was atop the floor in a back bedroom. Adjacent to her a dresser laid on its side with drawers partially opened. An older model tube-style television set was askew atop the floor nearby.

Emergency responders stabilized Allie and she was transported by ambulance to Atchison Hospital, McDermed said. AFD responders cleared the scene at 12:44 p.m. McDermed declined to comment on Allie’s medical information concerning possible injuries she sustained or otherwise.

By Andy Brown
Louisburg Herald – October 15, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

Stop, drop, roll.

Those are the three words that were uttered over and over again at Louisburg area elementary schools last week during Fire Prevention Week.

Members of the Louisburg Fire Department started the week on October 7 as they made the trip to Rockville Elementary School to show off their fire trucks and gear and talk about fire safety. Hundreds of children at the school got a close-up look at what firefighters do on a regular basis.

Capt. Gerald Rittinghouse made a special trip Thursday to visit Mrs. Deidra Howard’s special education class at Broadmoor Elementary. Although rain forced everyone to stay inside, Rittinghouse talked to students about what to do in case of an emergency and how to act if your clothes catch on fire.

Students also got a chance to try on actual firefighter gear to show just how much there is to put on in just a short time. Paramedics from the Miami County Emergency Medical Services also came to show students the back of an ambulance.

Rittinghouse also had plans to visit the preschool at Circle Grove along with a stop at Queen of the Holy Rosary School in Wea.

KAKE – October 30, 2014

Video

Investigators have identified two people who were killed in a crash in southeast Kansas yesterday.

The accident happened around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning on US-400 at the K99 junction in Greenwood County. That’s near the town of Severy.

A witness said a pickup truck and SUV collided head-on at the intersection.

A cashier at a gas station and convenience store, Megan Olsman, said she could hear the crash from inside the store. She said rescue crews responded quickly.

“There was probably about three ambulances, a couple of fire trucks and a rescue truck,” said Olsman. “Then they had a truck, it had the jaws, their big saw to saw the doors open. There was a lot of cops.”

Two people inside the SUV were killed. The driver, 31-year-old Ronald E. Robertson of Independence, was killed along with the front seat passenger, 38-year-old Diana R. Stahl, also of Independence.

A second passenger, 24-year-old Natasha Tweet of Independence, was taken by helicopter to a Wichita hospital. Her current condition is unknown.

The 52-year-old driver of the truck was not seriously hurt. The crash is under investigation.

By Ali Holcomb
Holton Recorder – October 8, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

Click on photo to view full-size image.

Jackson County is served by more than 150 fire personnel–area residents who risk their lives to provide fire protection and rescue services throughout the county.

Jackson County has eight fire districts that are managed by fire chiefs. The districts and their fire chiefs include:

Mayetta Fire District #1 – Todd Stauffer serves as the fire chief, and the department has 18 firefighters

Soldier Fire District #2 – Ryan White serves as the fire chief, and the department has 15 firefighters.

Douglas Fire District #3 (Hoyt) – Ed Kester serves as the fire chief, and the department has 20 firefighters.

Holton Fire District #4 – Kevin Ingels serves as the fire chief, and the department has 32 firefighters and four dispatchers.

Delia Fire District #5 – James House serves as the fire chief, and the department has 12 firefighters.

Netawaka Fire District #6 – Jonathan Edwards serves as the fire chief, and the department has 13 firefighters.

Whiting Fire District #7 – Paul Ludlow serves as the fire chief, and the department has 12 firefighters.

Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department – Doug Schriener serves as the fire chief, and the department has 30 firefighters.

The Holton Fire Department was established in 1894 and serves the city of Holton and rural fire district #4, which includes the cities of Circleville and Denison. The Holton Fire Department covers 250 square miles and consists of three fire stations. The main station is in Holton and the two satellite stations are in Circleville and Denison.

The Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department participates in a mutual aid agreement with the Hoyt, Mayetta and Delia Fire Departments. All four departments automatically respond together on all occurring fire and emergency incidents.

All fire departments respond to a variety of calls, including vehicle fires, structure fires and out of control burns.

Holton Fire Chief Kevin Ingels reported that on Saturday, March 29, there were 250 controlled burns occurring simultaneously in the county, which he noted was a new record. During that weekend, county firefighters were dispatched to a total of 35 fires.

Each fire district has a fire board that meets monthly to oversee the taxable dollars each fire department receives. The fire board members set the budget for the fire districts each year, approve equipment purchases and apply for grants.

The Jackson County Commission oversees fire districts established in Holton, Whiting, Soldier, Mayetta, Netawaka, Delia and Hoyt. The Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department is under the authority of the tribe.

To promote Fire Prevention Week, Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department members are hosting an open house at the station, 15482 K Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The open house will include educational activities and displays, fun activities for kids, including face painting and inflatables, and other fire-safety demonstrations. In addition, the fire department’s fleet of emergency vehicles will also be displayed.

———-

National Fire Prevention Week: Thanks, firemen!

By David Powls – Holton Recorder

Many children say that when they grow up they want to be firefighters.

The work of firemen is pretty straightforward and honorable–put out the bad fires when needed and serve and protect your community.

In our newspaper work, we have taken photographs at many out-of-control, raging fires of all kinds–from prairie fires spreading across thousands of acres of the Flint Hills in Greenwood County on a windy, spring day to various terrible house fires and car fires in several Kansas counties, including this one.

We have even been enlisted, over the years, to help drag some fire hoses when the need for more help immediately was evident. Most of the time, however, the firemen on the scene get fire under control quickly.

I have never seen a firefighter anywhere in Kansas who was not giving 110 percent of effort and dedication to the emergency tasks at hand, whether it was 1 in the afternoon or 4 in the morning.

The dedication of our firemen, most of whom are volunteers who give their time for professional training and service, is something that we take for granted until we are the ones in need of help.

On short notice recently, we have been able to obtain photographs of a couple of our fire teams in the county. Those photos are published in this edition of the newspaper. We would like to collect and publish group photos of all local fire teams.

It’s National Fire Prevention Week. It’s a good time to remember and thank our local firemen. They answer emergency calls all days and nights.

Harper Advocate – October 8, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

Photo by Nikki Hightree. Click on photo to view full-size image.

Argonia firemen put out a fire aboard a BNSF engine a couple of miles west of Argonia. The Harper Fire Department was called to assist, but not needed. There was a small amount of diesel fuel/oil/water sludge that ran out of the train that had to be contained. There were no injuries and the train continued.

Independence Daily Reporter – October 9, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

Coffeyville firefighters got a workout in getting to the location of a fire Wednesday morning.

Firefighters had to climb to the top of the grain elevator at Midwest Fertilizer, 128 E. 8th, where there was a report of smoke coming from the top floor at about 9 a.m. Wednesday.

According to Capt. Kent Bastian, Ladder I and Engine 2 were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found light smoke coming from the top floor door.

“To gain access, firefighters had to climb approximately 125 feet of ladders to reach the top of the elevator,” Bastian said. “Once at the top of the elevator, they had to climb another 50 feet of ladders to reach the fire floor and gain access into the building.”

Firefighters rigged a rope haul system to raise and lower equipment needed to fight the fire.

Once entry was made, firefighters encountered heavy smoke conditions and windows were opened for ventilation. The cause of the fire was determined to be electric equipment which overheated.

There were no injuries reported.

Thirteen fire personnel assisted with the grain elevator fire. The South Coffeyville Fire Department was called to man the Coffeyville station, and they responded to one call of unauthorized burning.

By Ryan Carlson
Lyons News – October 10, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

Click on photo to view full-size image.

The Rice County Fire Department came together to give children fire truck rides last Tuesday.

Lyons Fire Department Chief Brad Reid said the event is well over 45 years old. This year the fire department gave 700 total rides on six different trucks. “We usually average around 650 to 800 rides a year,” said Reid.

On top of giving truck rides, the county firefighters gave children a chance to go through their smoke house. The “smoke house” was donated to the county fire department and simulates a burning building. Children are given two distinct routes to get out of the building. The first is to go through a window on the first floor and the second is to escape through a window on the second floor and climb down a ladder.

Firefighters went throughout the county to give talks on fire prevention this week. On Wednesday, Chase Firefighters visited Chase Grade School and Thursday Lyons Fire Department staff visited Park Elementary.

By Mary Meyers
Atchison Globe – October 11, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 30, 2014

A 52-year-old Atchison man succumbed to injuries following a fall from a ladder in Atchison.

Samuel “Sammy” Pierce died Monday, October 6 after he was transported by helicopter to University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City.

Atchison Fire Chief Mike McDermed said Atchison Fire Department first responders were dispatched about 2:19 p.m. Monday concerning a man’s fall from a second story roof at 214 N. Ninth Street.

It was determined Pierce was one of a crew working to replace a roof atop a two-story residence. Pierce was located along the backside of the house positioned on a ladder.

McDermed said for an unknown reason that was possibly medical in nature, Pierce rolled off the ladder and fell to the ground.

Atchison County EMS Ambulance II, based in Effingham, responded due to Atchison ambulance crews’ responses to other simultaneous emergency calls.

McDermed said, initially, LifeFlight was dispatched because of the busy ambulances. Pierce was transported to Atchison Hospital then immediately transported by helicopter to Kansas City.

By Anna Auld
KWCH – October 30, 2014

Video

Wichita won’t be the only place voting for a sales tax in November. Abilene residents will also be voting on whether they want to build a new police and fire department.

The Abilene police and fire building was built in 1926, and hasn’t changed much since then. Chief of police, Mark Heimer, says the old building is causing problems and that’s why officers and firefighters want to see new and upgraded facilities.

“What we recognized was the condition of the building and the age and those types of things was negatively impacting our ability to provide service levels that we want to provide,”Heimer said.

Heimer says several areas of the building are not up to code.

“An example of that would be our elderly citizens have trouble accessing the building to talk to the water billing department or come in and file a police report.”

He says they have little room to store evidence and it can sometimes be damaged because of leaking pipes in the basement.

The police department says one of the changes they hope to see is a bigger interrogation room because it’s too small and not secure enough.

Fire Chief, Bob Sims, says the same thing, they are running low on space. He says the department has four fire trucks and only two garages, making it difficult to get out when they need certain trucks.

“Our lighting is inefficient, our electrical system is outdated, and just a problem waiting to happen,” Sims said.

The one-half of one percent sales tax would not go into effect until 2018, but the city and community already have plans drawn up to get things started as soon as possible.

“In order to get there and to meet those challenges we have set for ourselves in regard to our community policing efforts and those types of things, we have to have the facility that support it,”Heimer said.

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo A fire that broke out the morning of Oct. 23 in this apartment located at 2379 Locust Road is currently under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The cause is currently being ruled as undetermined.

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photos The cause of a fire that burned through this commercial barn located on a property at 2206 Poplar Road late Saturday night is currently being ruled by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as undetermined

By Jason E. Silvers
Fort Scott Tribune – October 29, 2014

Two separate structure fires have kept area firefighters busy over the last several days.

Fire personnel first dealt with a fire that broke out about 5 a.m. Oct. 23 in an apartment building at 2379 Locust Road. Firefighters with Scott Township Fire Department and the Fort Scott Fire Department responded to the blaze, which officials said was contained to a single apartment within the complex.

“That was in Scott Township jurisdiction,” Scott Township Assistant Fire Chief Jason Eastwood said Tuesday. “There was a call for mutual aid for the Fort Scott Fire Department. They were actually the first on the scene. Scott Township came in shortly after. Fort Scott (firefighters) got the main portion of the fire extinguished after they arrived.”

Eastwood said the FSFD sent one apparatus and Scott Township sent three vehicles to the scene of the fire. He said although residents of the apartment where the fire occurred, as well as the neighboring apartment, were home at the time, there were no injuries.

“Everyone was evacuated,” he said. “There were three or four people next door and one at the one that burned.”

Eastwood said the scene was cleared about 10:30 or 11 a.m. He said the cause of the apartment fire is under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

“That’s typical with any apartment building that is occupied,” Eastwood said. “There was pretty heavy smoke damage and moderate heat damage. Flames were visible upon arrival through the front window.”

There has been no final determination on the cause of the apartment fire, Eastwood said.

“It’s a little too early to determine (the cause) on that one. It’s still an active investigation.”

Eastwood said a fire investigator with the Office of the State Fire Marshal collected samples at the site. He also said there is currently no estimated dollar amount on damages caused by the fire.

“I have not talked with the state fire marshal for an update,” he said.

Eastwood, who is also a detective with the Fort Scott Police Department, said he responds to fire scenes “whenever I’m available.”

Rose Rozmiarek, chief of investigations with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, said Tuesday the cause of the apartment fire is “currently being ruled as undetermined and is still under investigation.”

“That could change depending on the outcome of the investigation,” she said.

Rozmiarek said she could not comment further on the apartment fire.

Eastwood said to his knowledge, there was no apparent suspicious or foul play involved regarding the apartment fire.

Area firefighters also responded about 10 p.m. Saturday to a fire that broke out in a commercial barn at 2206 Poplar Road. Eastwood said the barn was used for a local business, KTK Electric.

“There was heavy fire damage,” Eastwood said. “Scott Township was the main responding agency. Mutual aid was received by Fort Scott fire department and District Three rural fire.”

Eastwood said there were no people inside the barn at the time of the fire, however it did contain commercial equipment and supplies related to the electrical business. There were no reported injuries.

“The barn was a total loss,” he said. “It’s currently undetermined an actual amount value of the loss. We’re still working with the owner to find a determination on that.”

After recently speaking with the owner, Eastwood said the owner told him he “might be able to salvage some things.”

The barn fire is also being investigated by the state fire marshal’s office, which Eastwood said is “typical for a commercial building with a loss apparent.”

“It’s still pending. There’s no final report,” he said. “No foul play is suspected. I don’t believe there’s any reason for arson or anything like that.”

Eastwood said firefighters remained on scene for about 13 hours.

“A lot of that was waiting for the state fire marshal to arrive,” he said.

Eastwood said there is currently no suspicion of foul play regarding the barn fire.

Rozmiarek said the cause of the barn fire is currently being ruled as “undetermined.”

“It’s more likely than not accidental,” she said.

Rozmiarek said officials have not ruled out the possibility the fire rekindled as firefighters responded to two calls at that same scene. She said the state fire marshal’s office was not called in to the original fire but was called to the second fire, which could have sparked up again from the first incident.

“The fire department was called back out to the scene for a fire again. We were called at that point,” she said.

Hutchinson News – October 29, 2014

The South Hutchinson Fire Department is conducting a controlled fire to remove lining from an old salvage tank.

Chief Mike Patterson of the South Hutchinson Fire Department has fire units out near Morton Salt at 1000 Morton Road.

Patterson said workers were dissembling a 90-year-old, 1.2 million gallon salvage tank when it caught fire from cutting tools. Patterson said there is “polyethylene lining” inside the tank the caught on fire.

“As they cut it apart, it’s likely to start on fire again. So to avoid repeat trips, we’ll just get it all done in one day,” Patterson said. “It’s reached its useful service life.”

He also said about 50 percent of the tank has been consumed by fire 3 p.m. and units would likely be on scene for another hour.

Chief R. Kim Forbes said the smoke from the fire has an “old smell,” but it’s not a health issue for the city of Hutchinson.

By Eliot Sill
Hillsboro Star Journal – October 29, 2014

When Brandy McCarty entered her new office for the first time as EMS director, the shelves on the walls were empty.

“I had to start from scratch,” she said.

The bareness was mostly symbolic — a flood has required a reorganization of files in the office. Nonetheless, McCarty has a lot to learn about her position, including her exact job description.

“Give me a couple weeks,” she says with a laugh.

She spent most of her first week working with secretary Jamie Shirley adjusting to the office, as well as going around to different stations and familiarizing herself with crews, if they’re in. Once she’s met the crews, she’ll move on to getting to know the communities they serve. She sees one of her foremost roles for EMS as that of an advocate.

“If we’re not there for the communities and the volunteers that we have working, then we don’t have a volunteer service, right? So we’ve got to listen to people,” she said.

After more than three months under interim director JoAnn Knak, the county EMS department has its first full-time EMS director since Steve Smith was fired in late June.

McCarty, a Marion High School graduate, had been filling in as the crew chief of Marion Ambulance since Smith’s departure. Before that, she was a volunteer EMT and operator at Parkside Homes Assisted Living.

With a new director comes new policies and ideas, but McCarty will take time to get adjusted before making any major changes. An EMS board of directors, made up of McCarty, Medical Director Paige Dodson, and others — McCarty isn’t exactly sure yet who will be asked and who will agree to do it — will be one of the biggest changes for McCarty.

She said while she did not come up with the idea for the board, she supports it wholeheartedly.

McCarty said she wants the departments, such as fire and ambulance crews to work more closely with one another, citing the Hillsboro EMS and fire departments as two groups that work tremendously together that the rest of the county should aspire to.

She also said she wants to reach out to schools to make a connection with younger kids there. She said doing so could lead to more volunteers for EMS down the line.

“We’ve got to get our image out there to raise and grow EMS,” she said.

She also wants to reach out to outlying communities to get their input.

“It’s very easy to get sidetracked with the primary towns — Peabody, Hillsboro, Marion — and we can’t forget about those little towns out there,” she said.

McCarty said accepting the position for her was “exciting but scary.” She admits she’s not a complete medical expert — she is determined to take her written AEMT exam and earn her certification by the end of the year — but she’s confident in her ability to lead thanks to her willingness to learn and her “incredibly supportive” husband Tate, who has helped her tidy up around the office and get settled in.

McCarty said she learned a lot from Smith as well as local EMS staples Gene Winkler and JoAnn Knak, among others. While some she’s encountered since taking the position have been skeptical, most people have been overwhelmingly supportive and positive, which she herself professes to be.

She has a 19-year-old son, Patrick, who is currently deployed with the Navy in the Arabian Sea.

“This is the best time in my life to put my time and energy into something like this,” she said. “This is my baby right now.”

KSN – October 29, 2014

Authorities in Cowley County rushed to Dexter Wednesday morning for carbon monoxide poisoning cases at Dexter Elementary School.

The Winfield Hospital said the call came around 10:30 a.m., and they received their first patient soon after.

KSN has now confirmed seven students were taken to the hospital in Winfield, and at least 18 students were checked out for possible exposure.

They were students in the first and second grade.

“Our first patient presented by private transportation at approximately 11:20, and the first patient to arrive by ambulance at 11:57 a.m. Both were classified as code yellow,” said Katie Johnson, Winfield Hospital Public Information Officer.

The hospital in Winfield initiated their major incident response plan and called in extra staff including respiratory therapy specialists.

Ron Ledford, the superintendent at USD 471, says a defective heat exchanger on the roof is likely the cause of the carbon monoxide poisoning. He says the unit sits above the first and second grade classrooms. Those units have been shut down, and the school has been cleared of carbon monoxide.

The superintendent says school will resume tomorrow morning.

KAKE – October 29, 2014

Two people have died in a crash in southeast Kansas.

The two-vehicle accident happened Wednesday morning on US-400 at the K99 junction in Greenwood County. That’s near the town of Severy.

A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper on scene said two people were killed, but other information was not immediately available.

A witness said a pickup truck and SUV collided at the intersection.

By Phil Anderson
Topeka Capital Journal – October 29, 2014

Two people suffered injuries that weren’t believed to be life-threatening on Wednesday morning in a car-truck crash just south of Topeka, authorities said.

The collision was reported around 8:16 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the 7200 block of S.W. Topeka Boulevard, just south of the entrance to the Forbes Industrial Park.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said the crash occurred when a black, four-door Mazda Protege was exiting east out of the Forbes Industrial Park, 7215 S.W. Topeka Blvd., and was attempting to make a left-hand — or northbound — turn onto S.W. Topeka Boulevard.

As the Mazda entered the roadway, it collided with a maroon Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck that was traveling south on S.W. Topeka Boulevard.

The pickup truck had the right-of-way at that location on S.W. Topeka Boulevard, which is a four-lane roadway divided by a narrow grassy median.

Upon impact, the Mazda spun around and wound up facing north on the right southbound shoulder of the 7200 block of S.W. Topeka Boulevard, Its windshield was smashed and its driver’s side was caved in, with debris scattered about 50 feet on the roadway.

The pickup truck, meanwhile, sustained front-end damage. It came to rest facing south on S.W. Topeka Boulevard, about 100 feet from the impact site.

Both drivers, who were alone in their vehicles, were taken by American Medical Response ambulance to a local hospital.

The Shawnee Heights Fire District responded to the crash and assisted in removing the Mazda’s injured driver from his car.

Southbound traffic on S.W. Topeka Boulevard was diverted around the accident site as crews worked to clear the scene.

Plainville Times – October 23, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 29, 2014

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Labette Avenue – October 8, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 29, 2014

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Obituary

By Fred Solis
Mount Hope Clarion – October 9, 2014
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 29, 2014

Mike Rau used to work on vehicles full time and volunteer as a firefighter in his spare time. But as Colwich’s newest firefighter, he’s flipped roles.

Rau is now a full-time firefighter who works on cars on the side.

“I was living in town. I found I was around Colwich, and it would be a good thing to do in my spare time after work” as a diesel mechanic for USD 265, Rau said of his decision to volunteer on the Colwich Fire Department.

“Then I heard there was an opening, and thought I might as well do it. Since I was volunteering, I decided to get my EMT so I could do more,” he said.

Rau has taken a crash course in firefighting and will take Fire I and Fire 2 to further his training. His father, Jim, was the fire chief in Colwich when he was growing up, Rau said.

With Rau’s background in vehicle maintenance, he also performs checks on the department’s vehicle. He recently rebuilt the carburetor on an old township truck.

“I’m looking forward to being more part of the community,” he said. “I grew up here, and I have my roots here.”

KWCH – October 28, 2014

Photo by Jason Calvert.

A cooling tower started a large fire that broke out at a refinery in Harper County.

Crews were called to the Mag-Plant, 1500 Northwest 100 Ave., just after 4 p.m. Tuesday. They arrived to find thick, black smoke and large flames showing from the roof of the building.

Thomas Winter, Harper County Emergency Manager, said the area was cleared in about a mile radius until the fire was out.

Everyone inside the building managed to escape.

Crews from Attica, Zenda and Spivey were called to assist. Winter said firefighters remained on the scene for a few hours looking for hot spots.

The plant is expected to re-open in a couple of days.