Plans are moving forward to reestablish a fire district at the Great Plains Industrial Park near Parsons.

During the Labette County Commission meeting, Director Brad Reams and GPDA Board Chairman Bob Wood outlined plans to establish a fire department that would serve as the primary responder to emergencies at the facility. Surrounding fire departments would provide additional assistance through mutual aid agreements. The proposed district would initially cover approximately 6,500 acres owned by the industrial park. However, the Commissioners suggested expanding the boundaries to include the entire industrial park to avoid confusion over which department would be responsible for responding to emergencies.

Reams and Wood say the plan includes having personnel on-site 24 hours a day, with firefighters receiving specialized training to respond to emergencies at the industrial facility. Concerns were also raised about the condition of existing buildings at the park. County Fire Chiefs discussed the need to bring buildings up to fire safety standards, including repairs to sprinkler systems and other fire protection equipment. Funding for the proposed district was also discussed, including questions about property tax revenue and the cost of providing fire protection services. Reams and Wood say they industrial park would cover all costs. Documents have been prepared to move forward with reestablishing the district. A timeline for completing the process has not been finalized.