Mark Engholm, State Fire Marshal of Kansas

05/01/2026

Great open house and crawfish boil today hosted by the Jennifer Johnson and her staff at the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI)! My first crawfish boil and I am already looking forward to the next!

04/28/2026

Hands on programs like this are a great way for young people to try out a career of caring for their community! I am especially proud of the tenacity of Firefighter Breanna Droge as she has answered this calling and is already passing on her passion for service to other young women!

The Topeka Fire Department is hoping to inspire more young women to consider a future in the fire service and they’re doing it through a week‑long, hands‑on training program called Camp Courage.

04/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our meetings in Iola and Ottawa today! Lots of good questions and discussion!

Good afternoon, Franklin County neighbors!

Today I joined about 30 people from around the area at the public meeting with Kansas State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm at the Franklin County Emergency Management office. He’s traveling the state to gather input on updating our 2026 Kansas Fire Prevention Code — the minimum fire and life safety standards that apply to new construction, major renovations, and changes in building use.

Kansas is currently operating under the oldest fire code in the nation. That means modern realities like data centers, wind and solar energy installations, and even evolving technology (such as iPhone-related infrastructure) simply aren’t addressed. Roughly 95% of Kansas relies directly on this state minimum code, while only about 50 cities and counties have adopted their own, more restrictive versions.

Fire Marshal Engholm brings a practical “trust but verify” approach: focus enforcement on those who break the rules rather than burdening everyone else with unnecessary red tape. Because of the REINS Act, any significant changes to these rules and regulations must come before the legislature for ratification — ensuring accountability and transparency.

I appreciate him coming to Ottawa to hear directly from our local fire service, officials, and community. Strong, up-to-date fire safety standards protect lives and property without over-regulating responsible Kansans.

If you have questions or suggestions on the 2026 Kansas Fire Prevention Code, please contact:
[email protected] or (785) 296-3401

Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

04/22/2026

Good meeting and questions in Augusta yesterday!

04/20/2026

With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of Ford County Fire & EMS Firefighter/Paramedic William Cory “Liam” Price, who passed away on April 19, 2026 after suffering a medical emergency while on duty. Firefighter/Paramedic Price has served with the department and the citizens of Ford County with loyalty and dedication since September of 2018.
Please keep his family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Kyle Davis
Deputy Chief
Ford County Fire & EMS

04/19/2026

It is great to see local firefighters and their department leadership willing to travel to help other communities around the state. This has been a very active wildfire season, as the map of deployments by a single agency in Saline County shows!

Home, mostly rested and nothing broken! We have checked Edwards County off our deployment list. The town of Kinsley and their Fire Department really took care of us. Also, huge shoutout to Hen's Hideaway. They cancelled their fried chicken dinner to the public last night to feed the firefighters. Instant mood changer!

04/19/2026

04/19/2026

And they’re off! Visiting with the first responders working in the background to keep NASCAR fans safe this weekend. Thank you Jim Kilmartin for letting me shadow you and meet your folks!

04/17/2026

https://www.priceandsons.com/obituaries/carl-evans

View Levi Evans's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/17/2026

04/16/2026

The western half of our state remains very dry while we face potential flooding concerns in southeast Kansas! Use caution please!

04/16/2026

Historically, April 15th has been a deadly day for firefighters battling grass fires.

On April 15, 2008, Chief Terry Devore and Firefighter John Schwartz Jr. of the Olney Springs (CO) Volunteer Fire Department were responding to a large grass fire threatening the town of Ordway. While driving through heavy smoke, they attempted to cross a bridge that had unknowingly been undermined by fire. The bridge collapsed, and both firefighters tragically lost their lives due to blunt force injuries and burns.

Three years later, on April 15, 2011, Firefighter Gregory Simmons of the Eastland (TX) Fire Department was fatally injured while operating at a grass fire. FF Simmons was struck by an apparatus while attempting to escape a rapidly changing fire environment in dense smoke.

You can read the full report here: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.tdi.texas.gov/reports/fire/documents/fmloddsimmons.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjgk9Lu6u-TAxWMlCsGHZ9nAO8QFnoECBwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3iO37fraWMuB_EKO_wUgFS

Firefighters in Kansas see grass fires frequently. It’s easy to become complacent and think, “It’s just a grass fire.” However, grass fires are extremely dangerous due to their ease of ignition, rapid spread, and intensity. Conditions can change rapidly.

Take this as a reminder to slow down, wear your PPE, and look out for one another. It’s never “just a grass fire.”