Fire Department

The Wichita Fire Department will unveil a new fire safety initiative called “Project Apartment Safety” which is in response to an alarming number of apartment fires cause by careless smoking and inattentive cooking. The WFD will launch this door to door campaign at nine o'clock on Friday morning, Oct. 12, at the Silver Springs Apartments located at 777 North Silver Springs. The WFD will also visit three other apartment complexes during this fire safety initiative.

On the morning of April 12, John Huy was walking his dog Taz when it began raining heavily. After Huy took cover under a bridge, Taz-spooked by a bolt of lightning-sought refuge under a ledge along the sidewalk under the overpass. But fast-rising waters caused Taz to become trapped in an air pocket. Following a call to 911, the Wichita Fire Department dispatched eight fire trucks, but after failing to locate Taz after 2½ hours, the department called a news conference to announce that hope was lost.

Sedgwick County Commissioners take action to ban sky lanterns, or aerial luminaries, in unincorporated parts of the county. Sky lanterns are most often made with oiled rice paper and a bamboo frame. They are released into the air after a candle inside is lit. The hot air gets trapped inside, and they float away like a hot air balloon. Firefighters say they can come down on roofs or dry fields and trees and start fires. The Sedgwick County Fire Department says its fire code does not allow "open flames" to be unattended, and the lanterns are a violation.

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday. We gain an extra hour of sunlight, but we lose an extra hour of sleep.  When we Spring Forward, it is also a good time to change batteries in smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors. Homeowners in need of a smoke alarm can contact the Wichita Fire Department. Firefighters are installing the emergency warning device through a partnership with Safe Kids Kansas, Scholfield dealerships and All-pack Batteries. Call 268-4441 to schedule an appointment with the Wichita Fire Department.

A firefighter from northwest Kansas dies in the line of duty. Downs Fire Department Captain Jim Niles died while fighting a garage fire on Thursday. Authorities say Niles suffered cardiac problems. He was 59-years-old. Niles is survived by his wife, 2 children and 4 grandchildren. He was an 18-year veteran of the Downs Fire Department. Visitation: Monday January, 17, 2011  1900-2030 hours Location: United Methodist Church - Morgan & Blunt Street Downs, Kansas Funeral Services: Tuesday January 18, 2011  1000 hours Location: United Methodist Church - Morgan & Blunt Street Downs, Kansas Family Requests: Local Fire Service, friends and family to the service.

The Salina Fire Department has promoted David Turner to the rank of Battalion Chief. Battalion Chief Turner has served the City of Salina Fire Department for the past 19 years, Turner furthermore serves Saline County Fire District #5 as the Fire Chief. Battalion Chief Turner will be assigned to Shift 2 and will be transitioning into his newly assigned position, this assignment comes with the retirement announcement of Battalion Chief Jim Weese. Battalion Chief Weese will be retiring on March 15th, 2011.

Wichita Fire Department crews will give away more than 300 smoke alarms and 500 batteries to homeowners who don't have the equipment. The fire department plans to begin installing the alarms or replacing the batteries Monday until October 28th. Read the official news release below to find out how to apply: WFD Smoke Alarm Campaign Begins Today Wichita Fire Department (WFD) officials today will begin installing smoke alarms or replacing batteries in a limited number of homes that do not have a working smoke alarm.

Authorities discover a meth lab in Harvey County. They were looking for two stolen bobcats on property located at 8700 Burman in Burrton. While investigating the thefts, the lab was discovered in one of the outbuildings. The Harvey County Sheriff's Office, Burrton Fire Department, Newton Fire Department, a Butler County Sheriff's Deputy and a KBI agent help serve warrants and gather evidence from the scene. The bobcats were recovered and two arrests were made. Those people are currently in the Harvey County Jail awaiting formal charges.

Due to recent rainfall, the Wichita Fire Department has lifted the burn ban that went into effect earlier this week. Burn bans, put in place on Sunday by Sedgwick and Saline counties are also over. Officials say the winter forecast calls for a warmer and dryer season than normal and a burn ban could be put in place again as conditions warrant.

Flames destroyed an abandoned mobile home around 5:30 Sunday morning in the 4100 block of south Broadway. The fire was put out shortly after crews arrived at the scene. The Wichita Fire Department says that a damage estimate has not been determined and the cause of the fire is under investigation.