Holton firefighters battle variety of fires in 3-year period
Holton Fire Department crews have battled a variety of fires in the past three years, according to a report presented at a recent Jackson County Commission meeting.
Pat Korte, Jackson County emergency management director, submitted the report that detailed the types of fire calls received by Holton Fire District #4, which also includes the cities of Circleville and Denison.
The Holton Fire Department provides services to 250 square miles and consists of three fire stations. The main station is in Holton, and the two satellite stations are in Circleville and Denison.
In 2013, the department fielded a total of 144 calls, including 103 fire calls and 41 rescue calls.
Fire calls responded to in the county in 2013 included 45 grass fires, five vehicle fires, eight structure fires, one chimney fire, three hay fires, seven mutual aid fires and eight miscellaneous.
In the same year, the department responded to several fires within city limits, including six vehicle fires, five structure fires, one chimney fire and 14 miscellaneous fires.
Fire calls dropped in 2014, according to the report. A total of 78 fires in both the county and city were responded to by the department, as well as 26 rescue calls.
County fires in 2014 included 37 grass fires, four vehicle fires, four structure fires, four hay fires, 11 mutual aid fires and five miscellaneous fires.
City fires in 2014 included four vehicle fires, five structure fires and four miscellaneous fires.
Fire calls in 2015 remained steady with 77 total fire calls and 22 calls for rescue.
In the county in 2015, the department battled 42 grass fires, six vehicle fires, three structure fires, two hay fires, three mutual aid fires and six miscellaneous fires.
In the city, two grass fires, two vehicle fires, one structure fire and 10 miscellaneous fires were reported in 2015.
In other business during the April 4 meeting, the commission:
• Met with City Commissioner Dan Brenner to discuss the proposed road that would connect the industrial park road to Gilliland Lane. Brenner reported that he has received negative feedback about the proposal.
The commissioners said they were not in favor of the project either.
Brenner said he would like to see speed bumps placed in the hospital parking lot.
• Received a traffic report from Earl Bahret, road and bridge department co-supervisor, regarding 240th and P4 Roads. He noted that Friday had the heaviest traffic.
The commissioners requested that Bahret prepare a report with the average speed driven on this road. Jackson County Clerk Kathy Mick suggested placing a stop sign at the end of the county road so that travelers have to stop before they enter hospital property.
• Learned from Eric Fritz, road and bridge department co-supervisor, that he has requested bids for 30 yards of concrete and rebar for the tire room addition to the new road and bridge shop. The bids were due on April 15.
• Learned from Dan Robinson, noxious weed director and solid waste manager, that the dirt level at the landfill is low. According to state regulations, landfills must have 150 to 300 loads of dirt on hand at all times.
Robinson said he is looking into several sources for obtaining more dirt.
• Heard a weekly report from John Kennedy, Banner Creek Reservoir director. Revenue for the week of March 27 - April 3 was $1,044.
The commissioners agreed that Kennedy could spend $750 to have Marketing Concepts develop and maintain a website for the reservoir.
Kennedy also reported that a new reservoir brochure has been completed and is ready to print.
• Met in executive session for 15 minutes with Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller to discuss a matter of attorney/client privilege. No action was taken back in open session.
• Learned from Miller that she is concerned that there isn’t enough space on the fourth floor for her office staff. Lisa Hyten, victim services advocate, has a client that cannot be seen by the alleged perpetrator for legal and emotional reasons and additional space has been needed for that person.
Miller said her department also needs another assistant attorney because the current caseload is too heavy for her, her assistant attorney and her three staff members.
Miller said her department’s budget currently does not have funds available to hire another person since a new hire was not being considered when the 2016 budget was proposed.
• Met with Jackson County Appraiser Jason Claycamp to discuss a statute passed in 2012 that states the county may give a tax rebate to any person whose home was damaged in a fire between Jan. 1 and Aug. 15.
It was stated that any person that has fallen victim to such a circumstance would have to send a letter to the commission along with circumstantial documentation and evidence from the State Fire Marshall indicating the legitimacy of the accidental fire.
• Met with Sherri Ladner, 911 administrator, to discuss the 911 data system.
• Met in executive session with Ladner for 15 minutes to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken back in open session.
• Met with Ladner and Claycamp. Ladner suggested to the commissioners that they consider allowing R&S Digital of Great Bend take management of the 911 mapping system.
A representative from the company is expected to meet with the commissioners at a future meeting.
• Met with resident Dan Barrow who expressed his concern with the condition of the roads near his home.
• Signed a payroll change notice for Nancy Jones, who is a new hire at Banner Creek Reservoir.
• Adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. All three commissioners were present.
