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Biography
A message from Fire Chief Gary E. Curmode, CFO
The men and women of Sedgwick County Fire District No. 1 accomplished much
during 2007.
After 14 months, the relocation and construction of Station 33 to 10625 W
53rd Street North in the city of Maize was completed during the year. A
station review committee headed by Deputy Fire Chief Rick A. Brazill stayed
abreast of the construction on a daily basis. I would like to thank all
committee members for their efforts and dedication in seeing this project
through to its completion. This station greatly improves services to the
area surrounding Maize. Additionally, Station 33 responds on any structure
fires in a 315-square-mile area—half of the District’s 631 square miles.
Three new fire apparatuses also arrived and were placed into service this
year—two aerial ladders and one engine. A prototype squad unit
introduced to the District in 2006 has undergone nearly a year of testing
and a future report will state the pros and cons of this type of
apparatus.
The District’s fourth annual compliance report to the Commission for Public
Safety Excellence was approved in 2007. Throughout the year the District’s
accreditation committee, in partnership with IAFF Local 2612, assessed and
made recommendations relevant to the ten categories for core compliance. In
mid-2008, an assessment team of chief fire officers from around the nation
will visit the District and review all CPSE-required core competencies. The
District first earned accreditation in 2003.
The District’s newly developed career development program is progressing
well. Several personnel were awarded their associate’s or bachelor’s degrees
this year; three officers are on course for graduating with their master’s
degrees in 2008. Additionally, the District graduated 10 officer candidates
from the Center for Management Development at Wichita State University. This
is a challenging 11-week course focused on supervision development. Five
additional personnel will begin training in February 2008.
A formal recruit academy of seven new firefighters graduated from the
District’s training academy in 2007. This is an excellent cadre of
personnel to join our department. Twelve District personnel became certified
Peer Fitness Trainers in 2007. This process consisted of a
five-day class that included laboratory work at a fitness facility and a
final exam. These certifications have fulfilled a long-awaited goal sought
by our Peer Fitness Committee. This committee is an advisory board to the
fire chief that makes recommendations on issues it sees as
important to employees’ health and welfare.
As the Chief of Fire District No. 1, I am proud to have completed a two-year
stint serving as Chair of the Department of Homeland Security,
South Central Kansas Region. I will serve as past chair throughout the next
two years and continue to represent our 19-county region on behalf of the
Kansas Professional Fire Chiefs Association.
The lowest point in our year came with the tragic loss of Lieutenant Bryon
Johnson, a 13-year veteran of the fire service, at a grass fire on
September 24 near Haysville. Lieutenant Johnson was a rising star in the
fire service and a future leader of our department. His loss has been deeply
felt throughout our ranks. The District sends its condolences and prayers to
the family and friends of Bryon.
The secret to the success of Sedgwick County Fire District No. 1 is our
employees —they make it happen! My sincere thanks and
appreciation goes out to them, the Board of County Commissioners, the County
Manager and his staff, and to our citizens.
Fire Chief Gary E. Curmode, CFO
Your
Government
