Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall has announced that the Kansas Forest Service will receive $3,263,176 in federal funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This funding, in collaboration with Kansas State University, is designated for constructing a new workforce development facility aimed at supporting natural resource and wildfire risk management.

Senator Marshall stated, "The Kansas Forest Service provides invaluable manpower, equipment, resources and expertise to help local firefighting units across our state battle fires of all types." He emphasized that the new facility will offer essential training opportunities and assist the Forest Service in its ongoing efforts to refurbish used equipment for local fire departments.

The planned facility will feature an expanded and modernized fire equipment shop to continue retrofitting military surplus equipment for local use. Additionally, it will house an emergency response training lab and classroom dedicated to workforce development and instruction. These initiatives align with recommendations from the state's Wildfire Task Force on enhancing wildfire mitigation and response strategies.