Arkansas City, KS Fire/EMS Department

09/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who came together for the first 9/11 Memorial Walk/Run 5K, hosted by the Cherokee strip FOOLS with support from the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department.

Your presence and support made this a meaningful evening of remembrance as we honored the lives lost, the courage of first responders, and all those forever changed by September 11.

It was an honor to walk and run alongside our community. Thank you for coming together to remember and helping us keep their memory alive.

Never forgotten. 🇺🇸

09/12/2026

Thank you to KSN TV for coming to Arkansas City and covering Friday evening’s 9/11 Memorial Walk and Run.

The event was hosted by the Cherokee strip FOOLS with support from the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department, bringing our community together to remember and honor the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Thank you to everyone who came out to walk, run and remember.

Organizers say it is about making sure the sacrifices of those 343 firefighters are remembered for generations to come.

09/11/2026

Though Arkansas City is far from New York, the bond between first responders reaches across those miles. This morning, Arkansas City Fire/EMS crews gathered at the station’s 9/11 memorial to remember the men and women who lost their lives and honor those who ran toward danger to help others reach safety.

Each firefighter shared what inspired them to serve—from a desire to give more to others to childhood memories of hearing fire trucks and dreaming of one day answering the call. Their stories were a reminder that the firefighters lost on September 11, 2001, had their own reasons for putting on the uniform, loved ones waiting at home, and lives beyond the station.

A bell was rung and horn blasts sounded in honor of the fallen—a solemn tribute to their service and sacrifice. A moment of silence and a prayer gave crews time to reflect, remember, and honor the lives behind the names.

That remembrance continues this evening with the 9/11 Memorial 5K Walk and Run, hosted by Cherokee Strip FOOLS with support from Arkansas City Fire/EMS.
🇺🇸 Friday, Sept. 11 | 6–8 p.m.
📍 Poplar Walking Trail, 925 E. Poplar Ave.
🚶 Free to participate | 3.1 miles

The event honors the 343 New York City firefighters who died in the line of duty during the September 11 attacks. Participants may carry a commemorative badge bearing the name and photograph of a fallen firefighter and complete the course in that firefighter’s memory.

Complimentary food will be available while supplies last. Join us this evening as we walk in their memory and honor those who answered the call.

We will never forget.

09/10/2026

The Cherokee strip FOOLS, with support from the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department, will host a free 9/11 Memorial 5K Walk and Run from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Poplar Walking Trail, 925 E. Poplar Ave.

The 3.1-mile event will honor the 343 New York City firefighters who died in the line of duty during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Participants may carry a commemorative badge bearing the name and photograph of one of the fallen firefighters and complete the course in that firefighter’s memory.

The event draws inspiration from the Tunnel to Towers 5K, which retraces the final journey of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller. After learning that a plane had struck the World Trade Center, Siller drove toward Manhattan but found the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel closed to traffic. He strapped on his firefighting gear and continued through the tunnel on foot toward the Twin Towers, where he died while trying to save others.

Complimentary food will be available while supplies last, made possible by a contribution from Southwestern College following its recent production of Come From Away. The Tony Award-winning musical tells the true story of the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, who welcomed thousands of airline passengers stranded after U.S. airspace closed following the Sept. 11 attacks.

The Cherokee Strip FOOLS is the official host of the event, with Arkansas City Fire/EMS personnel participating and providing support. Formed by local firefighters in February 2026, the group is a chapter of the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society, an international organization committed to preserving fire service traditions while promoting brotherhood, professional pride and training. The independent local chapter welcomes career, volunteer, part-time and retired firefighters.

Organizers hope the memorial walk and run will become an annual Arkansas City tradition.

09/04/2026

ONE WEEK LEFT TO ORDER!

Each year, the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department sells Breast Cancer Awareness shirts, with 100% of the proceeds helping someone in our community affected by cancer.

This year’s proceeds will support an Arkansas City resident who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2023. Although she is now in remission, she continues to face lasting complications, including lymphedema, joint pain, fatigue and additional surgeries following complications from reconstruction.

Her story reminds us that the fight doesn’t always end when treatment does—and neither should our support.

Shirt options:

• Short sleeve — $15
• Long sleeve — $20
• Crewneck — $20
• Hoodie — $25

Adult sizes S–4X and youth sizes S–L are available. Adult sizes 2X–4X are an additional $3.

⏰ Orders and payment are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11—just one week away!

To order, comment below or send a direct message to Brandy Williams-Rice.

Payment options:

• Cash
• Check payable to Brandy Rice
• PayPal:
• Venmo: -Rice-512

08/31/2026

The Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department responded to a residential structure fire in the 500 block of South Fifth Street on the evening of August 28.

At approximately 8:03 p.m., Arkansas City Fire/EMS was dispatched to the residence, with fire departments from Winfield and Udall automatically dispatched to provide mutual aid.

When Arkansas City Fire/EMS Engine 53 and Tanker 51 arrived, crews observed smoke coming from the front of the residence. Firefighters conducted a primary search of the home and quickly located the fire in the bathroom area. The fire had also extended into the attic.

Crews contained the fire and remained on scene for several hours conducting overhaul operations and checking the attic for hotspots.
The Arkansas City Fire Marshal responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. The fire was determined to be accidental.

No injuries were reported, and the occupant was not home at the time of the fire.

Arkansas City Fire/EMS crews and investigators cleared the scene at approximately 1 a.m. on August 29.

08/21/2026

As we mark two years since the passing of Trevor Rusk, we pause to remember a dedicated firefighter, trusted friend and valued member of the Arkansas City Fire/EMS family.

Although time continues to pass, Trevor’s memory remains with us—in the stories shared, the lives he touched and the lasting impact of his service. His smile, friendship and commitment to others will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Trevor. Forever remembered. Forever missed.

08/19/2026

For one Arkansas City woman, remission did not mean the end of her breast cancer journey.

She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in March 2023, one year after first raising concerns about a lump she had discovered. What followed was an intense course of treatment that included a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, lymph node removal and reconstructive surgery.

In October 2023, she received the news every cancer patient hopes to hear: She was in remission.

But the effects of cancer and its treatment remain part of her daily life. Estrogen-blocking medication causes ongoing joint pain and fatigue, while the removal of lymph nodes resulted in permanent lymphedema in one arm. In January, a reconstruction surgery became severely infected, requiring additional surgeries and adding another difficult chapter to her journey.

Her experience reflects a reality shared by many cancer survivors: Support remains important long after treatment ends and remission begins. As medical appointments become less frequent and the immediate crisis passes, support from friends, family and the community can make a meaningful difference.

This year, the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department will honor her through its annual Breast Cancer Awareness shirt fundraiser. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to her as she continues to experience the lasting physical and emotional effects of breast cancer and its treatment.

Each year, Arkansas City Fire-EMS creates a special Breast Cancer Awareness shirt and donates all proceeds to a community member affected by cancer or an organization that supports cancer patients.

This year’s design is available in the following styles:

* Short-sleeve T-shirts: $15
* Long-sleeve T-shirts: $20
* Crewneck sweatshirts: $20
* Hoodies: $25

Adult sizes are available in Small, Medium, Large, Extra-Large, 2X, 3X and 4X. Sizes 2X through 4X have an additional $3 charge. Youth sizes are available in Youth Small, Youth Medium and Youth Large.

All orders must be placed and paid for before the shirts are ordered. The deadline to order is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. Shipping is available, with the cost based on the order.

Payments may be made by:

* Cash delivered to the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department
* Check payable to Brandy Rice
* PayPal at
* Venmo at -Rice-512

This year’s shirts honor one woman’s strength, honesty and resilience while also recognizing everyone in the community who has faced cancer or continues to live with its effects.

The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department thanks the community for supporting this annual fundraiser and helping make a direct difference in the life of an Arkansas City resident.

08/17/2026

Each year, the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department sells Breast Cancer Awareness shirts, with 100% of the proceeds helping someone in our community affected by cancer.

This year’s proceeds will support an Arkansas City resident who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2023. Although she is now in remission, she continues to face lasting complications, including lymphedema, joint pain and fatigue, as well as additional surgeries following complications from reconstruction.

Her story is a reminder that the fight doesn’t always end when treatment does — and neither should our support.

Shirt options:
• Short sleeve — $15
• Long sleeve — $20
• Crewneck — $20
• Hoodie — $25

Adult sizes S–4X and youth sizes S–L are available. Adult sizes 2X–4X are an additional $3.

Orders and payment are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.

Want a shirt? Comment below or send a direct message to Brandy Williams- Rice to place your order.

Payment:
• Cash
• Check payable to Brandy Rice
• PayPal:
• Venmo: -Rice-512