Shawnee Fire Department debuts new fire truck to public

Posted: November 26, 2018 - 6:00 a.m.
Updated: November 26, 2018 - 8:23 p.m.

A custom built 2018 Pierce Velocity recently ran its first calls as Engine 71 out of the John B. Glaser Fire Station.

After months of planning, designing and anticipation, the Shawnee Fire Department is debuting its newest addition to the fleet. The custom built 2018 Pierce Velocity ran its first calls as Engine 71 out of the John B. Glaser Fire Station this week.

The  John B. Glaser Fire Station, also known as Station 71, is one of the busiest fire stations in the state of Kansas and home to the second busiest Johnson County Med-Act ambulance in the county.

At the direction of Fire Chief John Mattox, the department’s apparatus committee designed the new engine to be the first to display an updated gray over red color scheme.

Shawnee Fire Marshal Corey Sands and Firefighter Duffy Muehlberger gave Operation 100 News a sneak peek of the new engine last week.

The Shawnee Fire Department's brand new 2018 Pierce Velocity is running its first calls as Engine 71 this week.

The color scheme is a subtle nod to the history of the Shawnee Fire Department, Sands said.

The burgundy of the new engine resembles the burgundy of the 1930 REO Speed Wagon.

From a small compartment behind the driver’s door for that firefighter to store their equipment to leather seats embroidered with the department’s logo,  the engine was built from the ground up with functionality and cleanliness in mind. The leather seats, which can easily be wiped down when dirty, are an example of another proactive step the department has taken to help firefighters keep their equipment and living quarters free of cancer-causing contaminants.

The new Engine 71 features full LED lighting for increased visibility.

The five-year-old fire engine that previously served as Engine 71 will be reassigned to Fire Station 74 where it will become Engine 74 when the new station opens in January.

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2011 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend LIVE

This year marks the 30th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service and will honor six Kansas Firefighters. 72 firefighters died in 2010 and will be honored along with 17 firefighters who died in previous years who will be remembered at this official national service held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.


The National Firefighters Foundation says, in 2010 27 states lost firefighters in the line of duty. Illinois lost eight, New York and Pennsylvania each lost seven. Kansas lost six.


This year's memorial weekend is being held, October 14-16 2011.

John Bradford Glaser, age 33, of the Shawnee, Kansas Fire Department was separated from his crew and later found deceased inside the structure. He and his crew were attempting to locate a civilian reportedly in the structure on May 22, 2010. Glaser was also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and had been with the Shawnee Fire Department since 2004. He is survived by his wife Amber and two children. Firefighter John Glaser is among six Kansas Firefighters who will be memorialized this year.




You can watch LIVE on this site thanks to Motorola Solutions and WUSA9.com.


>>Candlelight Service will be broadcast on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Telecast begins at 5:15 p.m.; Service begins at 5:30 p.m. Central time.


>>Memorial Service will be broadcast on Sunday, October 16, 2011. Telecast begins at 8:30 a.m.; Service begins at 9 a.m. Central time.

Fire Department Open Houses this Weekend

Posted: October 7, 2011 - 2:22pm

Overland Park and Olathe Fire Departments will be holding an open house this weekend, as a kick off to Fire Safety Week.

Overland Park - Saturday, October 8th. At the Overland Park Fire Department Training Center located at 12401 Hemlock Street. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Get directions

Olathe - Sunday, October 9th. At Olathe Fire Station #1 located at 501 E. Old Highway 56. From 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Get directions

Also on Saturday, the City of Shawnee and the Shawnee Fire Department are hosting the 2nd Annual John Glaser Memorial 5K Run/Walk at Shawnee Fire Headquarters at 6501 Quivira Road Get directions

John Glaser 5K

Posted: October 5, 2011

The John Glaser 5K Run/Walk will be held this Saturday, October 8, 2011. The even honors Shawnee Firefighter John Glaser and benefits the John Glaser Memorial Fund and SAFE (The Surviving Spouses and Family Endowment Fund). SAFE supports the families of Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers and Emergency Services Personnel who have lost their lives protecting the community in the Kansas City Metro area.

John Glaser was a firefighter in the city of Shawnee, Kansas who died in the line of duty on May 22, 2010. Firefighter Glaser was working on the scene of a structure fire where there were reports of an occupant still inside. Glaser was also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and had been with the Shawnee Fire Department since 2004. He is survived by his wife Amber and two children.

The John Glaser 5K Run/Walk begins and ends at Shawnee Fire Headquarters, located at 6501 Quivira Road, Shawnee, Kansas.

For more information about John Glaser, the charities and the event please visit the JohnGlaser5K.com. You can also register to participate or simply contribute a donation online. All ages are welcome. Participants will receive;  IPICO chip timing, cotton race shirt, raffle prizes and top overall, masters, 5 year age group awards along with food and beverages at the finish.