Fire Prevention Week, 1926 found sixty inspectors from the Kansas State Fire Underwriters Association invading Wichita to inspect buildings in the interest of fire protection. Retail store owners were asked to place signs in their windows to welcome the inspectors. Boy Scouts accompanied the inspectors and later wrote essays on the subject "What I learned about inspection on the trips." Fire Chief Brownewell joined in the crusade of Fire Prevention. He was quoted in an article as saying that 90% of the fire losses were chargeable to carelessness, and that Wichita could have saved close to $400,000 if precautions had been taken by citizens. By cleaning up trash and a campaign of education, the city could save tens of thousands of dollars next year. It appeared that the emphasis was to be placed on fire prevention, at least once a year.

During Fire Prevention Week of 1926, the Underwriters had made a re-inspection of Wichita and the Fire Department, and due to the improvements which had been made, the city would retain its second class rating. A new building code, additional manpower, the initiation of a fire prevention program, and new water supplies and hydrants seemed to satisfy the Underwriters for the moment. It is interesting to note, that many of the new hydrants were installed in the middle of the blocks in the congested district (later called in between plugs) and all new and existing hydrants were painted yellow.

After returning from a fire department conference in New Orleans, Chief Brownewell held a demonstration in Wichita of a new method of fighting oil fires. The new system consisted of smothering oil fires with "foamite." A section of hose was connected to a hydrant and then run through a hopper which contained a powder. In the hopper the water was mixed with the powder which caused foam to spurt from the nozzle of the hose and smother the fire.

With progress, came adversity, in the form of dissention and politics. In late December, 1926, Chief Brownewell was called to appear before the City Manager. Rumors had spread about the ambitions of some members of the department, and their desire for a reshuffle of power, a new deal wereby they could attain a higher position. It should be pointed out, that except for one incident after the turn of the century when Chief Brownewell was appointed in place of Fire Marshal Walden for a two-year period, the department had been noticeably free of internal politics. This fact alone had been one of the particular points of pride the firemen felt for their department. A week after Chief Brownewell's visit with the City Manager, Assistant Chief Furnas resigned after a meeting with City Manager Elliott. One of the rumors circulated was that someone was trying to get Chief Brownewell's job and since Assistant Chief Furnas was second in command, the insinuation was, that it was he who was responsible for the turmoil.

An investigation was held, which revealed that meetings had been held at night, and were attended mostly by officers where certain matters (petty jealousies) were discussed. Stories had been circulated about the damaging of equipment, the Klu Klux Klan, liquor and other things, but, although there had been some boyish pranks played, there was no foundation for the charges. After numerous hearings, the old Chief laid down the law, simple and to the point. Hereafter, anyone causing friction or dissention within the department would be discharged. Several men were placed on probation and the troubles appeared to be over.

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