Sedgwick County firefighters say Station 34 handles hazmat risks, emphasizes on-site training

Firefighter Braden Mueller told a Sedgwick County public meeting that Station 34, which covers Haysville, is often the first unit to respond to incidents at two of the county’s largest hazardous-material manufacturers and that the station has developed new skills to address those risks. "One thing that makes Station 34 unique is we have two of the biggest hazardous material manufacturers in the county," Mueller said.

Mueller said Station 34 typically responds to those plants before a specialized hazmat unit, Station 33, arrives. "It's just a new set of skills that we have to have being that we're the first new unit to those plants before we wait on the response of our hazmat station, Station 33," he said. He added that Station 34 is "one of statistically one of the busiest stations in the county."

Another speaker, identified as Jeff Hyer, said the crew built a training prop behind the station in recent years so neighboring crews can train there. "My crew in the last couple of years have built a training prop out back, just to help with other crews in this station and this area come over and be able to train on and stay good at their skills," Hyer said. He described the prop and cross-station training as evidence of the station’s pride and readiness.

Both speakers emphasized routine practice and clear role assignments on calls. "We all have a plan. We're able to serve the citizens better by being good at our jobs and knowing our roles on calls," Mueller said.

These remarks were made during the meeting’s public-comment period; no motions or formal actions were proposed or recorded as part of the comments.