Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1 has been awarded a grant through the Kansas Governor’s Office Grants Program to enhance its wildland firefighting capabilities and firefighter safety. The grant, which was recently accepted and approved by the Board of County Commissioners, is part of the Local Safety and Security Equipment (LSSE) program and will provide Consolidated Fire District No. 1 with funding for the purchase of new wildland firefighting equipment and wildland personal protective equipment (PPE).

The LSSE grant award of $59,450 allows for the purchase of two new pump, tank and hose systems to replace aging wildland fire equipment as well as updated, certified wildland PPE for firefighter safety. The grant provides $53,505 in funding with the remaining 10% match from the Consolidated Fire District No. 1 operating budget.

“We are a volunteer fire department that provides firefighting response to over 226 square miles of rural Douglas County, the majority of which is agricultural use, grasslands and wooded areas. This grant is essential to ensure the efficient and safe response to wildland fires throughout the County,” Fire Chief Mike Baxter said. “Specialized equipment and PPE are required to effectively attack and suppress wildfires and to protect lives and property.”

Consolidated Fire District No. 1 is an active participant in the Kansas Wildland Task Force. “We are called upon to provide wildland firefighting support across the Midwest,” Chief Baxter said. “The commitment of the State of Kansas to recognize and support the specialized equipment and skills required for wildfire suppression will have benefits that extend beyond our local communities. We are thankful to the Kansas Governor’s Office Grants Program for investing in our firefighters and the Douglas County community.”