Johnson County Fire District One was formed in 1974 as a taxing entity for the private volunteer fire departments of Gardner Community and Edgerton Community in South West Johnson County. Olathe Naval Air Station had been decommissioned by this time. In 1986 the Naval Air Station was sold to Johnson County for a second airport. Johnson County Industrial Airport opened. The Naval Fire House reopened as the Industrial Airport Fire Department with career staffing. This was the only county funded and operated fire department to date. In 1992 the Industrial Airport Fire Chief convinced the county to disband the two private volunteer fire departments and the airport fire department. The new department was reformed as Johnson County Fire District One. The airport name changed in 1996 to New Century Air Center. They are mainly career with some volunteers. They now answer from three fire houses with two paid Engine's paid Battalion Chief and One Volunteer Engine. All other units are cross-staffed.
This is were I got my firefighting career started as a volunteer while in High school.
Battalion 121
2008
GMC
NOTE: Battalion 121 is based out of the Fire House 121 in Gardner, KS where the fire district's only volunteer engine responds from.
Johnson County Fire District One (Fire House 123 (3) New Century Air Center)
Tender 123 ex Tanker 121
1992
Chevrolet Kodiak-Semo (One of Two purchased)
500/1600
#2BK20225
NOTE: These were the last two tankers purchased by the old Fire District One for Gardner Community and Edgerton Community Fire Departments. This is why the door has Gardner, Kansas on it. They never removed the lettering after the merger. This Tanker was housed at Fire House 121 from 1992-1999. These have been fantastic tankers. The ground ladders were speced for ISO credit and so the Engine's would not have to carry 35ft ladders.
NOTE: This units pump is powered by a Detroit Diesel located in the pump housing.
NOTE: Purchased with 75% FAA funds and 25% Johnson County Airport Authority Funds. This unit is owned by the Airport Authority. Also this unit responds to Johnson County Executive Airport located in Olathe for all Alerts. They wanted it to be RED, there is a stipulation when using FAA funding it had to be green.
NOTE: This is the only Crash unit in Johnson County, Kansas. Also this is the only Crash unit in the Kansas City Metro besides KCFD Fire House 5 (KCI) and KCFD Rescue 63 (Downtown Airport).
Johnson County Fire District One (Fire House 123 (3) New Century Air Center)
Crash 123
NOTE: Pump panel inside cab and turret nozzle control. The tank to pump is always open. SOG is to start the pump and generator before leaving the fire house. Airport Radio is next to the siren controls.
NOTE: This was the first and last new pumper purchased by the Johnson County Airport Authority for Industrial Airport Fire Department. It was paid for with 75% FAA fund and 25% Airport Authority funds thus requiring the ugly green color. They wanted RED. When delivered in 1990 it replaced an open top 1957 International R-General Navy pumper that was RED. A Fire Captain of the Airport Fire Department picked up the cab with chassis in Ottawa, Kansas at the factory and drove the unit to E\-One in Florida for completion.
Chief Tackett who later served St. Peters, MO Fire District demanded Ottawa Truck built this unit with an open canopy and NOT four door. I believe this was the only open canopy cab ever built by Ottawa Truck. This is why the cab has sliding windows in the jump seat because it was built as a four door and cut down by Ottawa Truck.
Also besides Ottawa, Kansas Engine 1 1990 Ottawa-Beck this is the only other Ottawa in Kansas. The Federal Q siren was added later after delivery. It also was delivered with a Federal Cross-Fire Light and four RED Flashers on the cab face.
NOTE: This unit has been hit twice on I-35. The green paint on the rear does not match. The first time it was next to Olathe, Kansas Engine 1 which is RED. After the first wreck the Federal Meteor lights were added below the back up lights and two Federal model 100 lights that have been replaced by the sentry lights. Just proves red is right <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hysterical.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />
Wakarusa Township surrounds the City of Lawrence, Kansas. Wakarusa mainly protects a diverse area of rural farms, large warehouse industrial park, West-Star Energy Power Plant, and Clinton Lake Corp of Engineers.
Wakarusa answers from two fire houses. Fire House 1 is staffed by one paid captain or lieutenant that acts as a driver and shift commander. Fire House 1 uses in district and out of district volunteer firefighters to round out the staffing. Fire House 2 has two resident firefighters that live at the fire house.