Governor Laura Kelly has officially designated February 12-18th, 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Week in Kansas. The proclamation was signed in a ceremony attended by key representatives from various state and national agencies dedicated to firefighting and emergency response. Among those pictured alongside the Governor are officials from the Kansas Fire Marshal’s office, Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Division of Emergency Management, U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), Kansas Emergency Managers Association, and Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs.
Notably, Kansas State Firefighters Association President Shane Pearson, who also serves as Deputy Chief of the Salina Fire Department, stood to the left of Governor Kelly during the signing. Pearson's presence underscores the commitment of local firefighting leadership to raise awareness and preparedness for wildfire season.