Winfield Fire/EMS

Winfield Fire/EMS has Core Values they work by
These Include:

Professionalism
We expect each member to know their job, know their equipment, be prepared, consider how the public would perceive your actions and appearance, and exceed expectations.

Accountability
We expect each member to do their job and accept responsibility for their actions and their team – if you condone it, you own it.

Customer Service
We expect each member to treat the public the way we would like our families to be treated; treat our members as we would like to be treated; go above and beyond in every situation.

Trust
We expect each member to believe in the organization and act with integrity in a manner that is consistent with their words.

Dedication
We expect each member to put the needs of the organization above the wants of the individual and exhibit leadership at all levels.

Safety
We expect each member to recognize the inherent risks of our profession and take all actions available to mitigate those risks.

We have a choice –

The Winfield Fire Department began as a volunteer department.
The volunteers were divided into three (3) companies: 1) Eaton Hose Company, 2) Skinner Hose Company, and 3) Robinson Hose Company. Chief S. E. Compton moved his department into the new City of Winfield building in 1886, sharing it with all the other city departments. Somewhere around 1903 Winfield Fire became a full paid fire department working 24-hour shifts. The station remained at 817 Fuller, as it has for over 120 years.

Fire protection for the City of Winfield began in July of 1874 by unorganized groups with ladders and buckets strategically placed throughout the city. In 1875, the first ordinance was passed aimed at fire prevention efforts, and The City Marshal was placed in charge of fire prevention enforcement.

On November 26, 1885, a lot was located to house the Fire Department. This lot, located across from the courthouse, was purchased for $900. The City then approved a $9,100 expenditure to build a City Building and Fire Station. The Fire Department moved into the new three-story City of Winfield Building in 1886 under the direction of Chief S.E. Compton. Around 1903, the department transitioned to a full-time paid department.

The City Building was reconfigured a few times over the years. The first major change was in the early 1900’s. Originally, the station was designed so that the horse drawn equipment exited out of the South side of the building onto East 9^th Avenue. The doors were moved to the east side of the building and the first motorized apparatus exited out of the building through two garage doors that opened outward.

As equipment grew larger, the bay was changed again to accommodate the larger vehicles. This renovation likely occurred around 1931 when the north addition was added to the fire station. The north addition originally housed the public works and utility departments for the City of Winfield. The city band room was located on the second floor of the North section of the building. Our best guess is that the 3^rd floor of the original building was removed during the renovation and addition in 1931. Throughout the years, various other departments of the city moved out of the building.

July 1, 2014, marked another big change for the Winfield Fire Department. Prior to that date, EMS services for Winfield and the surrounding area were provided by Winfield Area EMS operating out of facilities at William Newton Hospital. With the integration of EMS, the department officially became the Winfield Fire/EMS Department. Prior to the integration, the department had been staffed by three shifts with six personnel each. Additional personnel were hired bringing the department staffing to three shifts with nine personnel each. The administration team consisted of the Fire/EMS Chief, Fire Marshal, and an Administrative Assistant. In the fall of 2020, the Department created an EMS Coordinator as an additional member of the administrative team.

In November 2020, construction began on the newest addition to the building with new apparatus bays and support spaces being built on top of where Fuller Street originally was in front of the building. This is the first phase of the new Public Safety Complex. Later phases will include a new Police Department and joint spaces for a fitness room and a training room.

Winfield Fire/EMS is located at 330 East Ninth Avenue housed in the City Building that was built in 1886.

           

 

The Winfield Fire Department has had two line of duty deaths in the history of the department.  A line of duty death is a member of a department that had given the ultimate sacrifice while on duty. 

• Earl S Roberts January 29, 1959
• Gerald Lee Esley November 2, 1950

An article was found from a newspaper in 1931 that mentions Bunkus Puppo which was the mascot for the Winfield Fire Department had passed and funds were being collected for a memorial. The article stated Bunkus Puppo was the best-known dog in town. A bronze plaque was never found but his memory lives on as well.

One of the goals of Winfield Fire/EMS is to minimize the risk of life and property loss through proactive planning, awareness, and enforcement of safe fire practices. Citizens are served through a comprehensive program of inspection, fire investigations, and public education. These are accomplished under the direction of the Fire Marshal.


The Fire Marshal's office strives to:

• Demonstrate a commitment to the education and public welfare of the community of Winfield in the areas of fire prevention, life safety, and hazard recognition.
• Ensure new and existing occupancies within the city of Winfield are in compliance with the adopted municipal fire code by consistently and professionally applying the code in keeping with the spirit and intent of the code.
• Professionally and thoroughly investigate and evaluate fire causes in an effort to provide an informational tool for future fire prevention activities; cooperate with the Winfield  Police Department in the identification and aggressive prosecution of arson fires within the city of Winfield .
• Seek out and utilize community interaction opportunities to increase awareness and educate the residents, students, and workforce within the city of Winfield about fire safety, emergency medical skills, and how to minimize hazards to their health and safety.

Firework Safety
Fireworks can bring special meaning to the Fourth of July. The National Fire Protection Association reports, however, that more fires are reported in the US on that day than any other and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires reported, more than any other cause of fires.

Within the city of Winfield any manufacture, assembly, possession, storage, sale or discharge of fireworks is illegal. For the benefit and safety of our citizens City Ordinance does, however, allow the Fire Chief to grant a Fireworks Display Permit for supervised public displays, such as the majestic fireworks display conducted each Fourth of July by the Winfield Rotary Club.

The Permit requires a Kansas Fire Marshal's Public Display Operators License, commercial general liability insurance, a list of the Operators helpers, a site map, communication source with Winfield Fire/EMS, and other on-site detail.

Contact
Chad Mayberry
Fire Marshal
330 E 9th Ave
Winfield, KS 67156
620-221-5560
Fax: 620-221-5563

Fire Inspections
The Fire Marshal conducts fire inspections on commercial and industrial buildings in the city each year. The inspections include but are not limited to testing:

Fire and life safety systems, such as fire alarms and sprinklers, are among the most important components in any building type for preserving lives, protecting property and providing safety to first responders.

Testing
You are required to maintain these systems in good working condition and have them tested, usually on an annual basis.

The fire department must receive copies of these reports.

There are also secondary tests and certain maintenance processes that must be performed periodically even though you do not need to submit reports. The testing company you hire should be able to provide more information about these tests.

Fire Protection System Testing
System test reports for many systems are mandatory and must be submitted electronically to the Winfield Fire/EMS Department via our online vendor at www.thecomplianceengine.com.

There is a $15 filing fee associated with the submission of each report, per system, per year, except for hood systems which are per every six-month service. Your service provider (the company you hire to do the testing and maintenance on your building's fire protection systems) is responsible for collecting these fees from their clients, administering the reporting requirements, and then submitting payments along with test reports. 

Knox Box Information
The Winfield Fire/EMS Department utilizes Knox-Box® key boxes in many buildings in the city.  Property owners store entrance keys, access cards and floor plans in high-security boxes mounted near their building entrances. Each Knox-Box is keyed to a single master key controlled by the Winfield Fire/EMS Department. With the Knox System, there is no waiting for a property owner to unlock the door in the middle of the night and no forcing the door open to gain entry. The Knox Rapid Entry System reduces response time, property damage and the liability for lost keys.

The application is done online.  To apply or to obtain further information, please visit: www.knoxbox.com

Once you have received your Knox Box and had it installed, the Fire Department at 620-221-5560 and they will connect you with someone who can open it for insertion of your keys, access cards, floor plans, etc.

Please contact the Fire Marshal Chad Mayberry at 620-221-5560 or email cmayberry@winfieldks.org if additional assistance is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Knox Box System

What is the Knox Rapid Entry System?

The Knox Rapid Entry system is a secure emergency access program developed for property owners and fire departments. When a fire breaks out, or there is any emergency, the Knox Box Rapid Entry System allows firefighters and paramedics immediate entry into buildings and property without forced entry damage or delay. Property owners store keys, access cards, gate keys, etc. in high-security Knox-Boxes mounted near building entrances. Each Knox-Box purchased by a property owner can be opened by a master key controlled by the Fire Department.
In addition to key boxes and vaults, Knox Padlocks and key switches operate the same master key. This allows fire department access to gated sites and storage areas using the same Master key.

How does the Knox Rapid Entry System benefit property owners?

When an emergency occurs, the Knox Rapid Entry System will allow the Fire Department to spend less time to gain access to your building. This faster access will allow for rapid control of the emergency. This could mean faster fire control or more rapid shut off of a sprinkler system, resulting in less water damage.
Also, the Knox Rapid Entry System allows fire department access without damage to the building. Without this system, the fire department will gain access by forcible entry, often causing damage to doors or windows and the area around them. After forcible entry, it's hard to secure a building again after the emergency has been controlled. Repairs made after a single forcible entry will likely pay for the purchase and placement of a Knox-Box.
With the Knox-Box Rapid Entry System, property owners save in two ways; first, with more rapid control of emergencies and second, with less damage caused by fire department entry.

Is the Knox System applicable to homeowners?

The Knox HomeBox is an option for residential units. It is available with a permanent mounting option or a door hanger that can be hung on a door for temporary usage.

What about Master Key safety?

The safety of the Fire Department master key is a primary concern. Anyone with access to this key can have access to your building. The Winfield Fire/EMS Department has chosen the Knox Master Key Retention system to help ensure the safety of the Master Keys. Master keys are kept only in the emergency box. In each emergency, the key is secure in a Knox Master Key Retention device. The key can only be released when a Winfield Fire/EMS Department Officer enters an ID Number to release the Master Key. The Fire Department Officer can then complete what task is needed and replace the Master Key in the emergency box. The device that the key was removed from will have a recorded log of who removed the key and what time it was removed and replaced. The Knox Master Key Retention device will have an indicator light, which will flash until the master key has been placed back in the box. This light will make sure that the key is replaced before the movement of the vehicle. This system allows the maximum safety for these master keys.

Why is the Knox Rapid Entry System required? Don’t other companies make similar products?

Other companies do make similar products. However, any system adopted by a Fire Department must be able to be used with all boxes. Only one master key will be carried on the fire truck. This key must operate all lock boxes in the city. To maintain master key safety, all companies in this business guard the master key codes. They will not release details to any other maker or supplier. These safety concerns require that one vendor is selected for the whole city.

The Knox Company has been chosen for several reasons. Their system has proven reliable in thousands of cities across the nation. They have many products that meet rapid entry and access needs. However, the primary reason the Knox Company was selected for the Winfield Fire/EMS Department was Key safety. No other company makes a product similar to the Knox Master Key Retention system. Because we were not willing to compromise the reputation of the Winfield Fire/EMS Department, we chose the Knox Entry system.

Who is required to install the Knox Box?

Our ordinance requires the Owners of any new commercial structure or existing commercial structure which has a major renovation or change of occupancy classification to install a Knox Box.

Does the City make any money off the sales of the Knox Box?

No. The Fire Department has no interest in the sales of the Knox Company. The only purpose for the Key Lock System is to improve Fire Department Access in emergencies and to reduce property damage caused by forcible entry.

How much does a Knox box cost?

The cost of a Knox Box is determined by the Knox Company and varies depending on what you order. Please visit the www.knoxbox.com for prices.

Where should my Knox box be mounted?

Please contact the Winfield Fire Marshal to schedule a meeting to discuss where to place the Knox Box on the structure.

How do I lock my keys in the Knox Box? I did not receive a key?

Property owners do not receive keys that will open their Knox Box. Any key that will open your Knox Box will also open other Knox Boxes in the City. For that reason, only the Fire Department has the master key. When your box is mounted and ready to install keys, call the non-emergency number at the Fire Department.  An officer from the Fire Department will come and place the keys securely in your box.

What keys need to be installed in my Knox Box?

The Winfield Fire/EMS Department can assist you. Keys required will vary from one business to another.

What do I need to do to get an application?

To purchase a Knox Box you can purchase them through the website www.knoxbox.com. The Winfield Fire Marshal will receive notification from the Knox Company when your Knox Box is shipped.

Educating our community, young and old, is the key to prevention
Public education aims at teaching safety and fire prevention through a variety of age appropriate programs. Every opportunity is taken to interact with and educate our citizens, both in the field and in the classroom. Public education is a responsibility every member of the department eagerly assumes.

Presenting the Fire Safety Message

Winfield Fire/EMS personnel use their own delivery style and may use props, such as smoke detectors, breathing apparatus, specialized firefighting tools or other props which make the presentation more interesting to the students. The goal of our safety presentations is to pass on the safety information in such a way that most students will recall key points. The enthusiastic involvement of our personnel has made this program a success.
           
    



Public Safety provided:  
EMS Classes/Education
CPR Classes
Stop the Bleed Classes
Fire Safety
Fire Prevention Week

Winfield Fire/EMS provides services in the forms of:

• Emergency Medical Services
• Fire Suppression Activities
• Kansas Task Force Five