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Herington Fire Department reports 597 calls in 2024, details storm response that sheltered 15 people
Summary
Herington Fire Chief delivered a year-end operations report showing a rise in calls to 597 in 2024, described response times and mutual-aid activity and summarized the department—s storm operations, including a 44-hour shelter that housed 15 people and three dogs.
Herington—s fire chief reported that the department responded to 597 calls for service in 2024, up from 475 the previous year, and provided a detailed breakdown of incident types, response times and costs.
"In 2024 we responded to 597 calls of service," the chief reported. He said the department recorded 408 EMS assists and 185 fire responses, and estimated approximately $200,000 in property losses against a pre-incident value of about $300,000, noting that mutual aid was provided 24 times and received seven times.
The chief gave response-time metrics: an average dispatch-to-arrival time of 6 minutes, 4 seconds overall (EMS 6:23; fire 7:10); average turnout (dispatch to unit en route) was 25 seconds for EMS and 46 seconds for fire; and average time on scene was 41 minutes, 29 seconds. The department logged 16 structure fires, six vehicle/other fires (including one locomotive), 17 wildland incidents, 371 medical assists, 20 motor-vehicle accidents with injuries and multiple other call types.
Storm response
The department also recounted its staffing and response during a recent winter storm. Firefighters staffed stations continuously for 60 hours; the city opened a shelter at USD 47 that operated 44 hours and housed 15 people and three dogs. The chief said two people were evacuated by helicopter from K-4 and transported to Junction City; the department assisted Kansas Highway Patrol with road closures and vehicle removal. He praised local volunteers and USD 47 for providing meals and staffing support.
Personnel and equipment updates
The department hired a new code-enforcement firefighter, Courtney Alpert, who is certified and scheduled to start Monday, Jan. 13. The chief said three volunteers recently completed first-responder courses and expected to take state testing in late January or February. The department promoted three lieutenants (Cody Oswald, Zach Schlaeser and Trevor Melcher) to create junior-officer continuity amid retirements. Equipment repairs included a pump panel return and valve/gauge work on the Quint; the department applied for several grants, including an Atmos grant for $25,100 to finish a gas-meter update and a SAFER-related application for new turnout gear.
The chief asked residents to help keep hydrants clear of snow and thanked city public-works crews, volunteers and neighboring agencies for their support during the storm.
