Emergency services update: Fire chief reports fire ban complaints

The Linn County fire chief has implemented burn bans on days where strong gusts and dry foliage could make open fires difficult to control. He said he has received complaints about the frequency of the bans. (Wix file photo)

By Charlene Sims, Journal staff

LCJeditor@icloud.com

MOUND CITY – Linn County Fire Chief Randy Hegwald told the Linn County commissioners during his weekly report on Monday, Feb. 23, that during the recent open burning ban, he received complaints from landowners.

“We didn’t have the situation like they had out west because of the burn ban. So, I appreciate the ones that do that,” said Hegwald. “Just for information, I look at the National Weather Service, and then they also have when they open up the state emergency operation center (EOC) when we get into higher fire weather danger.

“That’s the state level Kansas Department of Emergency Management. That’s the resources I am looking at to issue those burn bans. I do not like to issue a burn ban, but I do it for people’s safety.”

Hegwald said that they post that information on the Facebook page and get that out and then other agencies share that as well. He said he also posts his cellphone number anytime he does that.

“If anyone has questions, feel free to call my cellphone and I will visit about it or anything fire related,” said Hegwald.

Hegwald told the commissioners that he appreciates the people who call in before setting a fire. He has said that, since he has been county fire chief, people have been more willing to call in to report that they will be burning.

Hegwald reported that there were 15 total calls for the past week which brings the yearly total up to 93 calls. The calls were one structure fire, two rubbish fires, one vehicle accident, four wildland fires, four emergency medical assists, two fire alarm activations and one smoke investigation.

American Medical Response (AMR) operations manager Dawn Brooks gave the  report from Feb. 1 through Feb. 22 which showed there had been a total of 103 calls resulting in 45 transports. The average response time is 20 minutes 29 seconds. The calls by city were:

• Blue Mound, 6 calls, 2 transports

• Centerville, 3 calls, 1 transport

• Fulton, 0 calls, 0 transports

• Greeley, 0 calls, 0 transports

              • La Cygne, 19 calls, 10 transports

• Fontana, 1 call, 0 transports

• Lane, 0 calls, 0 transports

` • Linn Valley, 10 calls, 7 transports

• Mapleton, 0 calls, 0 transports

• Rich Hill, 0 calls, 0 transports

• Mound City, 27 calls, 15 transports

• Parker, 10 calls, 0 transports

• Pleasanton 24 calls, 10 transports

• Prescott, 3 calls, 0 transports

Response numbers and times for this time period by Commission Districts are:

District 1 - 36 responses, 18 transports, 16 minutes 32 seconds average response time

District 2 – 31 responses, 11 transports, 20 minutes 39 seconds average response time

District 3 – 36 responses, 16 transports, 24 minutes 24 seconds average response time