Douglass Fire Department has recent influx of volunteer firefighters

DOUGLASS, Kan. (KSNW) – Like many rural fire departments across the state, a lack of staff can hinder the ability to respond quickly to emergency situations when a call comes in. The fire department in Douglass is breaking that trend.

Since January, the volunteer fire department has added eight people to their staff. They now have 25 volunteer firefighters.

“Our department we struggled off and on over the years, you know, getting volunteers to show up for training, show up for business meetings. Honestly, it all starts with leadership, and it bleeds down from there,” Douglass firefighter Troy Martin said.

One firefighter on staff says he considers this type of work “the family business,” as his dad served with the department for 30 years, and his brother is a firefighter in Wichita. He encourages others to consider the calling.

“If this is something you want to do, you know, where able to teach you and tell you everything you want to know of to where you can better yourself and be able to perform for the community,” said Douglass firefighter Trent Roberts.

Douglass Fire Chief Aaron Guyot said they’ve been able to keep up with equipment needs and just purchased a new truck worth nearly half a million dollars. A local bank contributed with a loan for that truck. He says the department was built with a strong foundation.

“Both the previous chiefs and the fire board working together and putting us in a financial situation that we can afford the high-rising costs of not only equipment as far as trucks and apparatus, but also gear and radios to give us the tools that we need as a fire department to function at a high level,” Chief Guyot said.

Chief Guyot says that the ability to be able to purchase new equipment also helps with recruitment and that they are putting more emphasis on attracting a newer generation of firefighters, particularly those who are about to graduate high school, along with others who may have ties to the department.

“A large group of young guys that have gotten out of high school or graduated college that have stayed local,” said Guyot. “They see their dads, or their uncles, or their brothers stick around and be part of the volunteer fire department, knowing that it’s a piece of the community that they have to help.”

While the Douglas Fire Department is adequately staffed, they emphasize how important community engagement is for the future growth of the department.

The department also says if anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, to reach out to them directly by calling Douglass Fire Department – Butler County Fire District #8 at 316-322-4398.