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Administration Division
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City Building
Known to most fire personnel by its radio call letters as "455" (The building's address is 455 N. Main) this office complex houses the headquarters of most of the City of Wichita's varying departments from Fire to Water. The Fire Department headquarters are located on the 11th floor. The office of the Fire Chief as well as both deputy chiefs are located there. The fire prevention division is also located there, along with data processing.
Chief Bode at a central computer terminal. John Bode was instrumental in adapting the computer system to the everyday operation throughout the entire department.
| In 1872 the first record book of the Wichita Fire Department (The Frontier Fire Department) was started. During the early years of the paid department, the Fire Chief and his assistant took care of the administrative duties. As the department grew over the years, the need to expand the administrative department was recognized. In 1961 the position of Assistant Chief of Administration was created by Chief T.A. McGaughey. Former Drill Master Homer E. Hall was assigned to this position and his assistant records keeper would be Lt. F.A. Crawford. In 1965 the position of Assistant Chief would be reclassified as Deputy Chief.
Today the Administration Division is responsible for the delivery of all staff and support services. These services assure a smooth flow in the operations of the department along with the delivery of quality services to the community.
Among these many responsibilities are the following: implementation of the general operating and capital improvements budget; personnel records; payroll control; data control and analysis; building and apparatus maintenance or replacement; research and development; the training of operations personnel; and the administration of the department's general policies and programs.
The Administration Division has 19 full-time employees consisting of eight civilians and 11 commissioned personnel. The Administration Division is divided into four sections each under the command of John Bode; Data Control; Staff and Support Services (with its own Chief Executive Officer); the Training Division; and the Maintenance Division.
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Administration |
John G. Bode
Deputy Chief |
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Personnel |
Nancy Browning
Administrative Secretary |
Gail Comer
Administrative Secretary |
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