By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
All of the fire chiefs in Barton County meet quarterly, and last week’s meeting included discussion on how to handle wildland fires. Fire crews from all over southwest Kansas assisted with a large grass fire near Jetmore in Hodgeman County last week.
Great Bend Fire Chief Brent Smith said a Barton County task force exists to help out any neighboring community.
"A call goes into dispatch and all the fire chiefs get notified," said Smith. "We decide what we're capable of sending. So we don't deplete our resources, we might send a brush truck and Ellinwood sends a tanker. Maybe Albert sends a brush truck and Hoisington sends a tanker. That way it doesn't deplete everybody's resources."
If Great Bend calls in a grass fire, Ellinwood and Albert fire departments will immediately respond with a unit. The arrangement might include Hoisington or Claflin.
Smith said the fire department staff can even help homeowners in rural areas on how to protect their properties.
"We gave a homeowner ideas, keeping his grass and fields short," said Smith. "Railroad ties, like everyone uses for landscaping, is a horrible thing around your house. Anything you can move six feet or more from your house is better."
Smith noted a decision will be made by each fire chief on whether they can afford to send responders or resources.