[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,98,110],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6557260,"mediaKeyId","3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569","parentId",3306683,"title","Fire district seeks dedicated fire recruit training officer as recruitment and growth accelerate","audioSeconds",486,"startMs",6272000,"endMs",6758000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569&start=6272&end=6758","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569/thumbnail_6272000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557260/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Fire-district-seeks-dedicated-fire-recruit-training-officer-as-recruitment-and-growth-accelerate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557260-82f1d2f5d52ca55f73406e13b564b369/orig.mp4?Expires=1769867031&Signature=Q2jkwKD5pelH1rzdhWERp~3b9rWf1xRIOvVYfSySYLd0G2Yq7kPfCM-T1LtHPl758YUXHim3qMp3pOBslTzTNb2Ywwa48qg91fD0lCkb8NDCECknGghliMlZOY-bqHvIseoFl8BmgvhXxF23KUPQXA9VDNE5Q2rEfREHFIjWkY6TdPkn2nrne-J4Aubf2e~OLJrTLBuGmEkLyYqIr4wF0y-hxhy7iEHSGyM-NDTqOZdRWUpOJzD7a~OiHNOi7epmEUeKqB1TlNVY-IRl4a-M6LIgpDUxBviBHZ-HVOAKDY4Lat8VlON3CkmIZxfRRCHWGjMlAo5qT7s-U-tgHE07hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedgwick County, KS","date","2025-05-15T08:23:22Z","article","Kevin Nelson, deputy chief for administration at the Sedgwick County Fire District, reported the district is nearing full staffing after a recruit class and asked the commissioners to fund a dedicated fire recruit training officer.

Nelson said the district will graduate seven recruits next week and expects to be “completely staffed.” He described rapid residential and commercial growth in Park City, Goddard and other areas as an opportunity that requires sustained recruitment and training. The district has expanded programs such as drone operations and dual‑certified wildland gear purchased with a grant.

The single decision package Nelson presented is for a dedicated fire recruit training officer. Currently, training duties require taking experienced crew members off the floor, which creates vacancies and overtime. Nelson said a dedicated recruit training officer would allow more consistent instruction, reduce overtime costs and better align the district with NFPA training standards.

Nelson also warned of revenue sensitivity: the fire district depends on property tax and has limited alternative revenue tools in Kansas. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the department’s medical/training roles and civilian administrative positions; Nelson confirmed the recruit training‑officer request is the only decision package for 2026 from his department.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sedgwick County 2026 Budget Hearing - 5/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Deputy Chief Kevin Nelson said the fire district will be fully staffed after a recruits graduation, highlighted growth in residential and commercial development, and requested one full‑time fire recruit training officer to avoid pulling operations staff off duty for recruit instruction.","taxTitle","Sedgwick County, Kansas","taxId",2883,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6557264,"Sedgwick County EMS seeks more recruits, ambulances and safety tech amid rising call volume",1731,3501000,5232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569&start=3501&end=5232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569/thumbnail_3501000.jpg","/articles/6557264/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-EMS-seeks-more-recruits-ambulances-and-safety-tech-amid-rising-call-volume","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557264-46e2391037a5a4602a7045c11f584294/orig.mp4?Expires=1769867031&Signature=VLOM50ErSZ52lfYndvy02cESWiZI5UnWWkIg33Dqe1c9br-RHTcAmKBlRy7K6MK9UzZA1RU-FLd4FUrXNFQq7pl-PuQyMOs355RSssjGIKLZ6hyJlYcbUDjN6bxbZ3af4QyPl2I6SsmjQKEeePyXveyOmTDOZkccc8DubkEG~AszSgDm0ecT9dGOzJWU0Qu7~L1VDY41zA~~Qb958NCKwYg~RIxZxXdRjC3sd5rahV0sh21uYvDT~ZbH-ED6ATkL6oan3TzmrcrFqo~I6I~Lpri1VqdZBPfQX9siP5Bjlr4bqKOTIN4Nj4IUPnHE--aXnE3eHSmFJ3tLaDTHYVnBmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brian Nicholas, deputy chief of Sedgwick County EMS, presented the department’s 2026 decision packages and said staffing has improved but the mix of paramedics and EMTs is not yet ideal.

Nicholas said EMS is staffed at about 91% overall but remains understrength in paramedics: the department reported 31 open paramedic positions supplemented by 17 EMT underfills and six ETP (education/training program) slots. He highlighted the EMT‑to‑paramedic “ETP” program started in 2022, which has produced 21 graduates who remain with the agency; the department seeks to expand current enrollees from six to ten slots and add six full‑time EMT positions to create a sustained pipeline.

Nicholas presented eight decision packages the department requests for 2026 and described the purpose of each: expand the ETP pipeline (+4 education slots), add six full‑time EMT positions (to support the pipeline), two FTEs for a paramedic mobile integrated‑health (MIH) team (or one if reconfigured), a controlled‑medication management system with RFID tracking, one additional ambulance (fleet expansion), an SUV for MIH staff, a body‑worn camera system (initial pilot and data-storage ongoing costs), and training mannequins for critical‑care skills.

He argued the MIH program would target high‑utilizer patients (278 people had 10+ transports in 2024; 70 patients had 20+ transports) to align patients with appropriate services and reduce repeated ambulance use. On body‑worn cameras, Nicholas said the department has run a three‑month trial on three ambulances and one supervisor vehicle and cited benefits for transparency, quality assurance and safety; he noted recurring data‑storage costs estimated at about $243,000 per year.

Nicholas emphasized EMS’s strong billing revenue stream and that the taxpayer burden has fallen in recent years as receipts increased; he also warned of threats such as pharmacy supply chain pressures and potential Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement variability. Commissioners asked about status‑event reporting, unit availability (status 0/1/2/3), and the duration of status events; staff said a CAD interface project is in process to capture finer duration data.

Nicholas concluded by standing for questions and noting EMS plans to seek at least one ambulance for fleet expansion with an ongoing plan to add capacity as call volume grows.","Deputy Chief Brian Nicholas outlined eight decision packages for EMS for 2026, including expansion of an EMT‑to‑paramedic education program, mobile integrated health FTEs, a medication‑tracking system, one ambulance and a body‑worn camera pilot; he said revenue has strengthened but staffing remains short of ideal paramedic mix.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6557269,"Sedgwick County emergency management highlights volunteer growth and emergency‑preparedness center need",267,3033000,3300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569&start=3033&end=3300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569/thumbnail_3033000.jpg","/articles/6557269/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-emergency-management-highlights-volunteer-growth-and-emergencypreparedness-center-need","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557269-06791b07ba47d85fba4e7603242396b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1769867031&Signature=QVMhTu9sB3s8ZcyyH20pLrFX~ywuTqXxkksr8IWbfCCuAUplVlQxrJfIBsOuu80t3gD6waDs~60tbT~~RcOZRuMQ7w2AoiNjgQPstizMjGSbn-YBTmAKdxXVJDTeGaVfl1~6cM3KKLnj1bQi0dFC57g7D3AbMTEZ3P4TGkYKDDD~tcHexivt~To~ex2nqs43KNKV~XYS6tiIyqZMR-g912dXI~t8adZBJyGHHnlO3H7RLlukXblU5RBhI8gRKxQwI4Zdu5ntzZrYHwT4b0RaXYPYh3PPQSWkwuJOkzdioNEdHYE1f7NCONTLoAH2ZdeTymvN4Tt8jkvT8bPYC1R8Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julie Stimpson, director of Sedgwick County Emergency Management, told commissioners her office is largely fully staffed and that volunteers are a force multiplier but create administrative burdens.

“We have about 250 to 275 volunteers,” Stimpson said, describing Community Emergency Response Team, canine search and amateur radio programs. The department has seen an 80% increase in requests for presentations, training and exercises over the last 18 months, she said, and expects continued volunteer growth.

Stimpson said the emergency preparedness center (a capital improvement project under consideration) would centralize PPE and response equipment now stored in multiple locations, provide space for emergency management and allow Emergency Communications to occupy more of the Public Safety Building. She urged continued funding for a six‑year outdoor warning system CIP that she said would raise coverage from 92% to 98% and reduce electrical and maintenance costs by an estimated $65,000 per year once fully implemented.

Threats cited included a 10% cut to the Emergency Management Performance Grant that currently funds two positions, decreased hazard‑mitigation grants and scrutiny of federal disaster programs. Stimpson said she had no decision packages for the 2026 general fund and asked the commission to continue CIP support where planned.","Emergency Management Director Julie Stimpson reported the department is largely fully staffed, managing 250–275 volunteers, and described the emergency preparedness center and an ongoing outdoor warning system CIP as priorities to resolve equipment and logistics challenges.",{"_32":99,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":100,"_40":101,"_42":102,"_44":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6557274,"Sedgwick County 911 seeks phased staff increase, tech upgrades to separate call taking from dispatching",877,692000,1569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569&start=692&end=1569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569/thumbnail_692000.jpg","/articles/6557274/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-911-seeks-phased-staff-increase-tech-upgrades-to-separate-call-taking-from-dispatching","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557274-c0d9521c3524c6634cd69173f4a2713e/orig.mp4?Expires=1769867031&Signature=GqlV0ofcvGuSPUsrzHxTFBrQc0LuXAxzuH60U6QpfLF1oFoTzK9KRyfbSGynPmKFH~CRzN3uAVNoGDM4SFwPli1wyShhGqOEmaXUgO97xjkwz~neRMfVsBfO8wGdhug54LZDx35TXOmFTFtqtStixfh9B1ZjC3b5TyA4sj80YFq3yT9FwIshzhoDCKp~ZlMT2k7ZQuqoAXjPyrstceiJwF7lh0xEdy7n-lTWw9CMjvPScvvYk9Nxwe4CocdUCtUOhE5ekyPbyDF9iIDW4G2rIfXah84szR0kjJyGSdHGBbZfMrJYVKKdf-AYuklrCtrSpyvaWMaW1y1Mai3fIczk-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laura Forshey, director of Sedgwick County Emergency Communications, told the Board of County Commissioners the division is asking for a phased staffing model and several technology and accreditation investments to implement recommendations from an outside review.

“We want to take a phased approach to this, and we are asking for 20 FTEs for next year to start moving into this separation of call taking and dispatching,” Forshey said, describing phase 1 for 2026 and a second phase to complete the model in 2027. She said the separation would reduce dual-tasking for dispatchers and help preserve a standard of answering 90% of calls within 15 seconds.

Forshey presented five decision packages: 20 FTEs (phase 1) to separate call-taking from dispatching; additional phone consoles; a $20,000 tracking/ticketing system for partners to report CAD, radio or operational issues; an accreditation manager to coordinate multidisciplinary accreditation; and public‑education and customer‑feedback software that can text callers selectively. Forshey estimated the set of packages at “a little over $2,000,000” and said the personnel components would be funded with property tax rather than 911 tax revenues because state rules limit 911 tax uses.

Commissioners asked for options to phase or reprioritize lower-cost items such as the tracking system, asked whether existing county IT systems could be used, and discussed legislative limits on the 911 fee. Forshey said county IT told her an in-house solution could not provide external users viewing access; that motivated the $20,000 vendor option. She also referenced Jensen Hughes and a Brook Hollow follow-up as drivers of recommended improvements.

Forshey described operational constraints beyond staffing: limited locker and restroom space, cybersecurity risks tied to more technology, and the fixed nature of the 9-1-1 tax (a voter/legislative issue). Commissioners expressed support for the separation model but asked staff to consider phasing and to work with the new county CIO on the tracking-system approach.","Laura Forshey, director of Emergency Communications, asked commissioners to fund a phased separation of 911 call-taking from radio dispatching (phase 1: 20 FTEs in 2026; phase 2: another 18 in 2027), plus phone consoles, a tracking system, accreditation management and public‑education tools.",{"_32":111,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":112,"_40":113,"_42":114,"_44":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6557279,"Sedgwick County medical director reports stable EMS oversight, no new budget requests",1339,163000,1502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569&start=163&end=1502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3306683-9c59246505d65d6c805bbac07cff7569/thumbnail_163000.jpg","/articles/6557279/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-medical-director-reports-stable-EMS-oversight-no-new-budget-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557279-b211acf44736259c5c518e1928a04a50/orig.mp4?Expires=1769867031&Signature=YpiKMFWW4n9Ktm08nvfag-hQnXimen5FX0bLuS~VxtGBdsfQ-nlxxACCa3nskMCwgKZvEt5zMFbyHYawNwdzbluQ72VnWqNnQ8svjQXxNNTrDj09swIya0pLF6IRI7R31OueQDl7oZWV1fP4IvMWbNhCCV5HBOfmcBdcGsFnPWSlfGhS3-kV-Yy6~tqRyyIgkiUDwi-80OSscW0zPSiGQIP90c0inU7eS040X0jM0u6nuOiEmarXongVk5NU9A13G9ySBkj7NbeBhEdKByQ2-V6MFKc~HjPPgjLINtP0WE84JZ9MqiG2gAyGwftq-gVmG~D00kYIXFdhnLvx5wi5-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Kevin Brinker, medical director for the Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services system, told the Board of County Commissioners that his office will not seek any decision or revenue packages in the 2026 budget cycle and remains fully staffed with three employees.

Brinker said the office provides medical oversight, credentialing, education and quality assurance for first responders across Sedgwick County and reviews/testing for training programs. “I requested no decision or revenue packages, so, we’ll get started,” he said.

The office reported recent protocol and medication changes that Brinker said have “dramatically decreased the number of medical errors” and flagged several program opportunities, including a potential whole-blood program, ultrasound for diagnostics, and development of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) pathway with Wesley for select cardiac-arrest patients. He also noted county oversight of law-enforcement and EMS NARCAN programs and recent purchases of training equipment supported by commissioners.

Brinker described operational constraints: one aging vehicle limits onsite credentialing visits and current funding constrains expansion. He said personnel costs remain the largest share of his budget and that “we are sustainable for the time being,” noting his overall budget increased by about $1,000 compared with the prior year.

The presentation closed with Brinker taking questions; commissioners offered brief thanks and moved to the next agenda item.","Dr. Kevin Brinker, Sedgwick County medical director, told commissioners the Office of the Medical Director is fully staffed, has no decision or revenue packages for 2026, and is focusing on quality assurance, training and new clinical programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fire district seeks dedicated fire recruit training officer as recruitment and growth accelerate

Sedgwick County EMS seeks more recruits, ambulances and safety tech amid rising call volume

Sedgwick County emergency management highlights volunteer growth and emergency‑preparedness center need

Sedgwick County 911 seeks phased staff increase, tech upgrades to separate call taking from dispatching

Sedgwick County medical director reports stable EMS oversight, no new budget requests