Bentley Wants Temporary Fire Station Permanently

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Bentley Wants Temporary Fire Station Permanently

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Posted: 10:24 PM Aug 30, 2007
Last Updated: 10:37 PM Aug 30, 2007
Email Address: news@kake.com

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Residents in one Kansas town are hoping to spark a change, launching a fight for their own fire station.

The county had to shut down a bridge that leads from the closest fire station to Bentley for construction, so it opened up a temporary fire station on the outskirts of town to make sure emergency services could still get in as fast as possible.

The residents, however, have gotten used to having that protection close by. "There was a sense of comfort in knowing they were only two minutes away," says resident Shelley Armstrong.

So when construction was done and the temporary station shut down, Armstrong started a petition asking the county to build a permanent fire station there.

The town does have a volunteer fire department but it only has two firefighters who work elsewhere during the day.

The county fire station that already serves the town is farther away and also makes calls to the Maize area. With all the growth out there, those in Bentley worry they could end up getting burned.

The county agrees that it's worth looking into, but warns those in Bentley that it's a project that definitely wouldn't happen overnight.

Armstrong is happy, though, that the commission is taking their request seriously. "I feel very optimistic. I believe it will be just a matter of time."

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Chris Location: Bentley on Sep 17, 2007 at 08:27 PM
I APPRECIATE OUR VOLUNTEERS!!While a permanent station would be nice I know that it is a long way off.Right now it is an expense that no one in our city can afford. Taxes would definitely increase to cover the cost of a station and crew. I know I'm tired of everything else going up and not my wages.I have lived in communities with both paid and volunteer departments and with your volunteers you are more than a face,home, or victim.You are a friend and neighbor.I trust in the training and dedication of our volunteers as our county does as they work with the city to help our volunteers succeed in their service.Our volunteers are an asset to this city and we need them not only for our safety,but to also promote our city for growth.We need to keep people here instead of driving them away.Keep up the good work volunteers! You are appreciated.

Posted by: Laura on Sep 14, 2007 at 03:58 PM
Bentley's current population is about 475. With 12 volunteer firefighters, that's about 40 persons per firefighter. If there are only 2 volunteers available during the day, that's about 238 persons per volunteer firefighter. The city of Wichita's population is 359,000. Wichita has 382 paid firefighters. That's roughly 940 persons per firefighter. I'll take my chances with our wonderful volunteers, thank you! We are VERY fortunate to have the dedicated volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS members, several of who are state board certified EMT's, in our community. Let's do everything we can to support them and encourage more people in the commmunity, both inside the city and in the township(which is in our response area)to become a volunteer firefighter or volunteer EMS member. After all, the city is willing to provide their training and equipment. THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

Posted by: Rod Location: Bentley on Sep 12, 2007 at 09:28 PM
I am also not against a permenant fire station close by, but I will be opposed to anything that has to do with the persons who have worked hard to get what we have loosing their volunteer jobs. Remember the key word is volunteer. They don't claim to be perfect, but at least they are making an effort. This is more than I can say for some.

Posted by: Rod Location: Bentley on Sep 12, 2007 at 09:05 PM
Why does everyone always want to look to the negative. There are alot of hard working and proud and dedicated persons in this city that do their very best and put their lives on the line for those who they don't even know. How about a little respect and support for those who are trying to do positive things for this community. No, I am not just talking about Law Enforcement or other Emergency Services. I am talking about all who try hard to make this a great place to live!

Posted by: Martin Location: Bentley on Sep 8, 2007 at 06:56 PM
What would be nice is if you could get Sedgwick and Harvey counties to work together and have a permanent station that could cover Bentley, Sedgwick and Halstead since we are all in such close vicinity to each other. Put the station somewhere in the middle and either way they would only be a few miles away. You could even keep the volunteers to assist if needed. But I know you could never get two seperate governing bodies to work together as a team.

Posted by: Stephen Location: Bentley on Sep 7, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Bentley is getting a new senior center and a new state of the art city park. Why not a new permanent fire station to go with it. Lets bring Bentley out of the 60s.

Posted by: Tim Location: Wichita on Sep 7, 2007 at 10:15 PM
A permanent Sedgwick County fire station in the Bentley area would be an excellent supplement to the existing highly trained Bentley volunteer fire department, as well as the highly respected police department. It would also be a great marketing tool to bring new residents to Bentley's new housing developments.

Posted by: Lorna Location: Bentley on Sep 7, 2007 at 10:03 PM
I think a permanent fire station near Bentley is a great idea. With the new senior center on its way and the large number of senior citizens that will be coming to town every day it will be good to have extra fire and ems protection for the elderly. It would be good for the grade school kids too since there about 200 that are in school in Bentley during the school year

Posted by: Martin Location: Bentley on Sep 5, 2007 at 09:50 PM
Say, isn't Sedgwick a volunteer fire department? And we are not here as a replacement to Sedgwick County Fire, we are TRAINED EMS and Firefighters that cover the scene untill SCFD arrives then we assist the pro's. Sedgwick County isn't going to put a station out here to cover 400 people just like Harvey County isn't going to put one in Halstead or Sedgwick and they have a lot more people than we do! I am not against a station out here, just being realistic. Oh and yes I would put my family's safety with them untill SCFD arrives, I have trained with these volunteers and seen them in action. If you are so worried about it move to Wichita or Newton I am sure you can find someplace real close to a fire station! Untill then I put my trust in God and my friends in my community.

Posted by: Shelley Location: Bentley on Sep 4, 2007 at 08:00 PM
WOW! Thanks for the support Caroline,I couldnt have said it any better myself!

Posted by: Caroline Location: Sedgwick on Sep 4, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Well isnt that nice Martin? But, dont you think that it's that kind of thinking that may get someone burned? It's important that everyone in the county have an equal oppurtunity to have a timely response to Fire and EMS calls, and not just by chance that a volunteer is in the area or available. Shouldnt there be reliable protection at any given time? Are you willing to bet your family's safety on a volunteer department? Station 33 will be moving to Maize in October, are you ready to wait for that extra 3-4 minutes?

Posted by: Martin Location: Bentley on Sep 2, 2007 at 11:29 PM
We have over 12 volunteers in our Department and not all of us work days!!! In 2006 we had over 100 calls and only 2 were not responded to by our volunteers, and Station 33 had them well covered!

Posted by: Martin Location: Bentley on Sep 1, 2007 at 11:08 PM
We appreciate the interest in our small town. Thank you KAKE.

Posted by: Michael Location: Halstead on Aug 31, 2007 at 06:21 AM
Sorry Bentley, unless people die from a fire, your fire station will be a long way off.

Call me at (316) 263-0001 or (888)263-0001 Roger Riedmiller.