Caney Fire Station

Caney receives $299,728 KAN STEP Grant for new fire station

The Kansas Department of Commerce recently announced a KAN STEP grant in the amount of $299,728 to fund construction of a new fire station for Caney and the surrounding fire district. Local volunteers will contribute $325,637; the total retail cost is estimated at $625,365. The new fire station will measure 8,200 square feet. The facility will include a meeting/training room, kitchenette, restrooms and an office.

Caney is located in southwestern Montgomery County, west of Coffeyville. The population of the city is approximately 1,850 people.

Salih Doughramaji, Program Manager with Kansas Commerce, conducted a "post award meeting" on Friday, February 27, 2009.

The Caney Fire Department presently operates out of an old building that was once the Caney City Hall and before that, served as a funeral home. The building has been condemned because of hazardous wiring, unsound second story flooring and structurally unsafe walls. The City has attempted to make repairs but it seems the building deteriorates faster than repairs can be made. The problems aside, the building itself is just too small to adequately house all of the equipment, trucks, office space and training area. Several years ago the City acquired a site as the future home for a new fire station. Caney just needed the funding to build a new facility. They saw the KAN-STEP program as the opportunity to acquire a much-needed facility.

The project representative at Caney is Tony McCammon. Richard Zingre' of Zingre' and Associates, PA, of Fort Scott, KS is the project architect. Grant administration will be by provided by Sandy Erbe of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission. Inspection services and assistance will be provided by Kansas Rural Water Association.