The Wichita City Council has approved another $1 million for land acquisition and design of two new fire stations.
While no land purchases have been finalized, the city says their two preferred sites are near Pawnee and Maize in the southwest part of the city and near 29th and Ridge in northwest Wichita.
The city's capital improvement plan includes $45 million for up to nine additional fire stations over the next 10 years.
The council also reviewed fireworks data, after the city this year allowed aerial fireworks over the Fourth. Wichita Battalion Chief Jose Ocadiz says the overall number of firework-related fires decreased by one while fireworks injuries increased slightly. Artillery shells were the leading cause of injury.
Ocadiz also said the non-emergency complaint line saw a 28% decrease in calls, from 1,224 last year to 1,046 in 2023.





