The Augusta Department of Public Safety (ADPS) is privileged to have the support of over 30 volunteer firefighters. The volunteers supplement the paid staff and respond to fire related emergencies at all times of the day and night. The volunteers respond, without hesitation, and receive no pay or compensation for their dedication.
The volunteers have been a part of Augusta's firefighting resources even before the police and fire departments were combined into a Safety Department in 1960. The members of the volunteers train regularly with paid staff to keep their skills sharp. At any emergency scene, it would be hard to distinguish who was a paid member and who was a member of the volunteers. The two groups work together side by side and the differences in paid versus volunteer rarely become evident. Some of our volunteers are very experienced firefighters, including a training division Captain with the Wichita Fire Department, and a Division Chief from the Sedgwick County Fire Department. The paid staff recognizes this experience and allows these volunteers to shine in the capacities that best fit them.
The volunteers are an invaluable part of the community and the department. They, and their families, allow the City of Augusta and Butler County Fire District Two to maintain the highest level of protection without wavering due to costs.
The following video was created by volunteer firefighter Josh Burns for the 2008 annual volunteer awards banquet. The video gives a quick summation of 2007 events involving the volunteer fire unit.
