The Shawnee Heights Fire District is continuously seeking individuals with a desire and dedication to serve their community.  Most part-time firefighters serving the Shawnee Heights Fire District joined with little or no fire or emergency medical experience. In addition to service to the community, many part-time firefighters have used the training and experience they gained at the Shawnee Heights Fire District to start a career in the fire service.

Part-time firefighters are the primary source of manpower for the Shawnee Heights Fire District and are vital to the protection of our citizens. They respond to fires, rescue calls, emergency medical responses, and other types of emergency incidents. Part-time firefighters are expected to perform the same duties as a career firefighter, including strenuous activity while combating and extinguishing fires in harsh environmental conditions.  Part-time firefighters are alerted about emergencies through pagers and portable radios and respond directly to emergency scenes in their personal vehicles. Fire trucks and other emergency equipment are dispatched directly from the fire station and meet part-time firefighters at the emergency scene.

The part-time firefighter position involves extensive training in the operation of fire apparatus, tools, and equipment and the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions, which may require strenuous exertion under such conditions as extreme heat, smoke, low or no visibility and confined spaces. Part-time firefighters are placed on probation and remain on probation until they have:

• Successfully completed at least one (1) year of service, and
• Obtained IFSAC Firefighter I and Hazardous Materials Operations certifications, and
• Obtained Kansas Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, and
• Obtained at least a valid Class B Kansas Driver License, and
• They have completed a training task book furnished by the district which ensures that the firefighter can respond to emergencies and properly operate all the equipment used by the fire district.

No experience or training is necessary to become a probationary part-time firefighter with the Shawnee Heights Fire District. All the training, equipment and certifications part-time firefighters need to perform their jobs are provided by the District. After completing probation, part-time firefighters are expected to take part in bi-monthly district training drills on the first and third Thursday evenings. They may also elect to take advanced training courses including Firefighter II, Driver/Operator, Fire Inspector, Instructor and Hazardous Material Technician.

Part-time firefighters are paid, hourly employees of the fire district. All equipment and training are provided by the fire district. In addition, the District provides worker’s compensation insurance for on-duty injuries and firefighters receive on-duty disability and life insurance coverage through the Shawnee Heights Firefighters Relief Association.  After completing at least ten years of service to the Shawnee Heights Fire District, firefighters become eligible for a modest retirement benefit from the Shawnee Heights Firefighters Relief Association.