Public Safety Concept

The City of Gardner instituted a consolidated police and fire services department in 1987.  In a consolidated department, the personnel are cross-trained and receive certification from both the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and Kansas University Fire Services Department. In 1990, the City added medical operations to the Public Safety Department.  All full time personnel received additional training to bring them up to a first responder level or higher.

In the Gardner Public Safety Department, the Director of Public Safety serves as Chief for both police and fire services.  Gardner has one records center for all three disciplines and dispatching for police issues are done by the Johnson County Sheriff's Department, as well as a centralized fire and medical dispatching system for all of Johnson County fire and medical providers.

The Public Safety Department has increased its personnel base, as well as enhanced the specialized equipment, necessary to perform operations associated with all three disciplines.  Public Safety vehicles patrol the city streets 24/7 to provide police and fire coverage.  A station officer is available at the DPS building to assist citizens who walk-in to the DPS building to report an incident.  Station officers are available for citizens to contact 24/7 unless responding to a fire or medical emergency.  Gardner has partnered with the Johnson County Med-Act to house units at our stations for response to medical operations.  There is also a Mutual Aid agreement with surrounding Fire Departments should the need arise for extra coverage.  Gardner has a ten person Reserve Unit and a twenty person Volunteer Fire Unit who assist Public Safety and interacts with full time personnel, as well as participating in training sessions.

The response protocols to different activities are generally as follows:

• Fire Operation - three fire engines, two or three patrol units and one commander
• Police Operation - one or two patrol units dispatched to the call, with two others available on the street for either backup or response to another call for service
• Medical Operation - one medical unit, one DPS Supervisor and one fire engine

The Public Safety Concept has worked well for Gardner.  The end result is a professional and efficient safety system that meets the citizen's needs while embracing our growing City.