Powhattan Fire Department

05/13/2026

02/14/2026

Support local volunteers!

02/06/2026

Tomorrow morning! Open to the public! No cost, no pre-registration required!

Even prescription drugs can result in accidental overdose.
Come learn more about Narcan.

10/07/2025

Please join us in honoring one of our own. Shon was a staple in our community and lived a life of service, including retiring from the Powhattan Fire Department.

Thank you Shon for your life of dedicated service, you will be dearly missed.

Shon Johannes, of rural Powhattan, died Saturday October 4, 2025 at his farm home. Shon was born October 1,1950 in Sabetha Kansas, to Luther and Freda Johannes, and welcomed by his older sister Carol. attended Powhattan grade school and graduated from Powhattan High School as Class President in 1968...

09/22/2025

Rural fire departments are being squeezed by "fire inflation". What does that look like?
Between 2018 and 2023, the average cost of structural PPE surged by 35-40% (Source: NVFC-OSHA-Comments-071624.pdf). Since obtaining a quote in January 2025 for wildland Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the KFS grant, the cost of this PPE has increased by 12.4%, from $928.92 to $1061. Similarly, the quote for our Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) wildland PPE on September 16, 2024, was $887.17, reflecting a 16.4% increase over eight months.

The cost of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) rose 32% between 2018 and 2023 (Source: NVFC-OSHA-Comments-071624.pdf). The current prices are even higher, although exact figures are unavailable. LCFD #5's SCBAs are 24 years old and in need of replacement. Each SCBA costs approximately $9,000 and we would require a minimum of 12.

The price of fire apparatus has doubled. In 2016, a new fire engine cost $586,000, whereas in 2025, the price escalated to $1,300,000. Delivery times have extended to four years, prompting many departments to seek the same used engines we would typically pursue, thereby driving up prices further on quality used apparatus.

The cost of used pickups has also soared compared to pre-pandemic levels. For instance, the prices for used Chevy 3500s (source: Cargurus) were as follows:
• 2020: $46,764
• 2021: $50,564
• 2022: $55,027
• 2023: $59,636

09/05/2025

On August 29th 2025 around 7:30 AM the Powhattan Fire Department was dispatched to conduct medical and resource standby in support of law enforcement operations at the Kickapoo Nation School in Powhattan, KS. This was regarding alleged threats against students and staff. Occupants were evacuated for their safety. Due to unsuccessful attempts to contact city officials for support, students and faculty were staged at the Powhattan City Park rather than a secure and covered location.

The suspect was apprehended without incident and students and staff were released safely. We appreciate the hard work of emergency services within our area for continued support in our ongoing mission to keep our community safe. We will continue to increase our capabilities and resources to respond to ongoing and ever growing hazards our community faces. After conducting a detailed after action review, we will be reviewing pre-plans and emergency action plans to improve inter-agency operations in the future.

We thank you all for your continued support and allowing us to continue to serve you!

For more information please reference the press release from Kickapoo Tribal Police at this link: https://www.kickapookspolice.com/post/press-release-juvenile-arrested-in-connection-to-bomb-threat?fbclid=IwY2xjawMmjpZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoowlkAnnIGPA3GyWu93jCCgGzLPg1iVa9u_Tc7cNutJzdQjbyngp3mdkxqq_aem_fI7DxU3VGiaXHXpWwyC-JQ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 08/29/2025KICKAPOO TRIBE IN KANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT On the morning of 08/29/2025 the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas Police Department received a phone call from an employee of the Kickapoo Nation School in Powhattan, Kansas, to report a potential bomb threat which was made the day...

08/06/2025

07/28/2025