11-23-09 First off I need to apologize to the GFD because I have found 2 sets of pictures that had been given to me and I never got them posted. Somehow I managed to overlook them or misplaced them until now. One set is what I have to call The Mystery Fire because I do not know when, where, or even which group of firefighters was involved with this fire. This set may have been from a fire prior to Chief James having become Chief. If anyone recognizes this fire and remember the date/location let me know and I will update the Slideshow with the new information. The other set is from a Car Fire Training on 11-19-08 which can now be viewed on the GFD Slideshow. Chief James had also given me 4 short videos taken during the car fire training and I'm sorry I didn't get these posted at that time. He also gave this info about the class: This was a car fire/fire command class for our Firefighter 2 state certificate. We had two other guys from Colby who were also in the class, one was the Assistant Chief and the other was our old firefighter who turned full time firefighter Scott Hilbrink. The car was from KU and it burned propane. I myself would have used a real car instead of a staged car with propane burning, but you know KU safety is their #1 priority. You can view the videos at this link GFD Videos.


The GFD had several days or nights worth of Rope Training--the first was held in the elevator shaft at the old Antique Warehouse on 06-02-09. More training was held on the roof of the Goodland Power Plant. Chief James included the following information about these classes with his pictures. This training was done through the University of Kansas. Two of the instructors were from Topeka Fire Departments Rope Rescue team and the other is a instructor from KU. We started out at the Firehouse on June 12th, Friday night, and then all day Saturday the 13th and all day Sunday the 14th, we were on the roof of the Goodland Power Plant doing all of the rappelling and rescuing. This class really opened our eyes to what kind of equipment we really need to do a proper rescue from a roof, or a grain elevator. We will try to have the class again in the fall and maybe just maybe we will have more than half the City Fire Department there. All Rope Training pictures can be viewed at the GFD 2009 Slideshow.

The GFD Ladies Auxiliary held a Garage Sale on 06/06/2009 with the money gained used to help area residents that may become victim's of a fire. They made about $1200 for families who have had a structure fire in Sherman County. This money will help the ladies donate more than they have! All of the families of the GFD donated items for the sale to make this happen. View some pics taken at the sale HERE.

On 06-11-09 the GFD did a fire school for about thirty kids at this years 4-H Summer Activity day. The kids got to spray water from the bumper nozzel on Engine 1. We also talked to the kids about fire safety and other fire stuff. The fire department gave the kids fire helmets and bags full of good fire education stuff. The kids also did other activities with other people from the county. The day started at 9:00am and ended at 12:00. The Chief and firefighter Jared Enfield helped put on this school for the kids. View some pics taken at the 4-H School HERE.

A pickup fire happened at 11:30am on 06-21-09 at 711 College. The pickup was a total loss and the house almost caught fire. When the GFD got there the hood had already burned through, the fire had to been smoldering under the hood for awhile until the neighbor saw it and started to attack it with a garden hose. It was a good thing that this fire was found before the house actually started to burn. View some pics taken at this fire HERE.

On 08/12/09 Chief James said he just happened to be out at the airport doing pre-plans when he saw this thing coming in for a landing. The thing turned out to be The Red Bull Jet used to promote the Red Bull Drink. The pilot said that he was just on his way through. He was probably going to a air show somewhere. He was a very nice man, and when asked if some pictures could be taken with the jet and the ARFF truck, he said go ahead that's what its there for. View some pics taken off this Red Bull Jet HERE.