By Mary Holle
Rawlins County Square Deal – September 5, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – October 4, 2013
Allen Castens and Juston Grafel of Rural Fire Department #2 presented information to the Rawlins County Commissioners about a possible junior fire program. The program is for students age 16 through 21, they said at the commissioners’ end-of-the-month meeting August 30.
The program can be set up through the National Volunteer Fire Council, Grafel said.
He explained that the participants in the program could join the fire department through the program, but would not be paid.
“It would allow them to come down and train and learn the skills,” Grafel said.
Participants could then be a part of the fire department after college if they returned home, he said.
Grafel said the junior program participants would not be exposed to life-threatening rescue situations or be allowed to enter structure fires.
The participants would assist in traffic control and rehab stations at fires, he said.
The men said they needed commissioner approval for the program.
The commissioners asked about county liability if someone in the program were hurt during the training, even if they had signed a waiver.
They also asked if there was any interest in the program.
Grafel replied that he had some interest, but wanted approval before promoting the program.
Jared Holste, county attorney, said he would check on the liability.
Commissioner Craig Cox asked about the cost of the program.
Grafel said there would be none. Any gear used to train would be older, unused gear, Grafel said.
Cox and Wilbur Henry, commissioner, both agreed the program sounded good, pending liability coverage.
Grafel also presented information about the Kansas Forest Service truck program, which provides fire departments with older model army trucks that can be rehabilitated for use as fire tanker trucks.
“This would be a tanker that could get there quick and help support the small brush trucks,” he said.
Cox said that the truck would be rigged and work well on pasture fire runs.
Cox said he liked the fact that the Forest Service makes sure the vehicles are mechanically sound before releasing them to fire departments.
“I think the program is something worth looking into,” he said.
The program requires that the truck receive a new paint job within six months and a pump or tank installed, Grafel said.
“I say go for it and see what you can come up with,” Cox said.
Fundraising by volunteers for RFD #2 for a new truck was discussed.
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