Derby Fire & Rescue reports steady response times, expands apparatus and fall-prevention outreach

Derby Fire & Rescue reported steady emergency response performance in 2024, with an average drive time of about four minutes or less and a series of equipment and staffing upgrades that officials said have improved service and preparedness. Chief Turner presented the department's annual report to the Derby City Council on Feb. 11.

The report said the department now runs two stations with nine personnel on duty in most shifts (six at Firehouse 81 and three at Firehouse 82) and that an approved position for Firehouse 82 will arrive in June, allowing that station to operate more independently. "We have about 4 minute or less response time, which ... leads to successful outcomes," Chief Turner said.

Turner told the council the department has modernized its fleet through the city's sales tax funding, including a recent replacement truck and a new brush rig purpose‑built for wildland responses. The city has ordered replacement of Engine 81 (a 2007 model); Turner said the city hopes to attend a prebuild this year and place the engine in service when completed.

Medical calls made up just over half of the department's workload, Turner said; fire calls were about 5 percent of responses, with 149 total structure/other fire incidents reported and roughly a half dozen commercial structure fires during the year. The department relied on mutual‑aid partners — Wichita, McConnell, Sedgwick County Fire, Central County Fire District No. 1 and Mulvane — for large incidents.

Turner highlighted grants and partnerships: a vehicle‑extrication equipment grant from Firehouse Subs, donated equipment and funding from local groups to acquire a new fire mascot vehicle to debut in June, and a planned application for a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant to fund additional firefighters in 2026. He also said the department received funds to support a fall‑prevention task force, working with Rock Regional Hospital and Sedgwick County agencies to reduce repetitive low‑acuity calls where residents fall but are not injured.

Turner described investments in training and code enforcement. The department added a fire marshal and a training chief in 2024, increased hands‑on regional training including the Wichita Hot live‑fire school, and returned day‑care inspections and certain plan reviews to the local fire marshal’s office rather than referring them to Sedgwick County or the state.

Council members congratulated the department and asked about overlapping 911 calls and mutual‑aid response. Turner said overlapping calls increased in the last year and that the department is working with the county medical director and Sedgwick County EMS to refine dispatch and avoid non‑urgent responses that reduce unit availability for critical calls.

The council and Turner also discussed station capacity, timelines for apparatus replacement and ongoing recruitment; Turner said the June hire would be highly competitive and the department has growing volunteer interest. No formal action or vote accompanied the presentation.