By Randy Partington
County Connections
With the recent consolidation of eight fire districts, Reno County is better positioned to protect lives, property, and communities.
After years of study, discussion, and difficult conversations, the county officially transitioned Jan. 1 from eight separate fire districts to a single fire district, called Reno County Fire District 1. A change of this magnitude naturally raises questions, and it is important to clearly explain why this decision was not only reasonable, but necessary.
Reno County residents, outside the City of Hutchinson and Fire District 2 (with a full-time paid service), receive fire protection from hardworking volunteers in the eight fire districts. The previous fire districts are the following and have some overlap with other counties:
- Fire District 3: Nickerson and The Highlands area
- Fire District 4: Arlington, Abbyville, Langdon, and Plevna area
- Fire District 6: Sylvia area
- Fire District 7: Turon area
- Fire District 8: Yoder and Pleasantview area
- Fire District 9: Haven area to Sedgwick County line
- Fire District Joint #1, Reno-Kingman County: Pretty Prairie area
- Fire District Joint #2, Reno-Harvey County: Buhler area
Whether operating as eight districts in the past or as a single district today, the fire district is overseen by the Reno County Commission, which sets the budget and approves appointments for the chief and assistant chief positions. Under the Reno County Commission, the new fire district is overseen by a fire administrator within the Emergency Management Department. All expenses for the fire district are covered by the fire district taxing entity, which covers all of the county, except for the City of Hutchinson, Fire District 2, and City of South Hutchinson. The City of South Hutchinson has its own volunteer fire service.
At its core, fire protection is about response time, staffing, training, and equipment. Emergencies do not respect district boundaries, and the public reasonably expects the same level of service regardless of where they live. Under the old system, eight districts operated independently, each with its own budget constraints, administrative costs, and capital planning. That structure made sense before, but today it creates inefficiencies that limit our ability to deliver consistent, modern fire protection countywide.
Change can feel uncomfortable, especially when it affects services that communities hold close. But doing nothing carries its own risks. Rising costs, aging equipment, uneven coverage, and increasing demands on firefighters are challenges that will not resolve themselves. A single county fire district provides the scale, coordination, and stability needed to meet those challenges head-on.
Combining the districts allows Reno County to focus resources where they matter most: firefighters, equipment, and response capability. Instead of maintaining eight separate administrative systems, a unified department reduces duplication and frees up funding for capital needs. This is not about eliminating local stations or reducing coverage; it is about strengthening them through shared support and coordinated planning.
A benefit of a single fire district is improved staffing and training. Recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters has become increasingly challenging across Kansas and the nation. A single fire district allows for standardized training and more flexible deployment of personnel when and where they are needed most. It also ensures that every firefighter operates under the same safety standards and command structure, which is critical during large or multi-jurisdictional incidents.
Accountability is another key advantage. Under a single district, fire protection becomes a shared responsibility with transparent budgeting, professional management, and consistent performance expectations. Residents served by the volunteers will know who is responsible for decisions, how funds are spent, and how service levels are measured. This clarity builds trust and helps ensure tax dollars are used efficiently and responsibly.
It is also important to address what consolidation is not. It is not a loss of local identity or a dismissal of the dedication shown by current fire districts and their volunteers. Those districts built the foundation of fire protection in Reno County, often with limited resources and extraordinary commitment. The former districts will still have their stations and identity as part of the single fire district representing their respective areas of the county.
Reno County’s decision reflects a commitment to preparedness, fairness, and stewardship. It ensures that every resident, regardless of location, receives reliable, professional fire protection. By moving from eight districts to one unified fire district, the County has invested in a safer, more resilient future for all who call Reno County home.
Randy Partington is the Reno County administrator. He can be reached at randy.partington@renocountyks.gov.