Courtesy photos

Pawnee County firefighters are shown outside the Capper Building at Larned State Hospital, after a training exercise.

Area firefighters spent the end of 2025 training to be better prepared to handle any fires they encounter in 2026.

On Dec. 30, 2025, a joint training exercise took place at Larned State Hospital. Fire Departments from Larned, Rozel, Burdett and Garfield all participated in a training event held inside the Capper Building on the grounds of Larned State Hospital(LSH). 

The Larned Fire Department provides coverage for Larned State Hospital and the training, held on the campus of LSH, provided all of the area fire departments with familiarity of the buildings and where and how to proceed if a fire should occur.

The Capper Building at LSH is scheduled for demolition early in 2026 and Larned Fire Chief T.J. Hearn thought the building presented a great training opportunity for the Fire Departments of the area. 

Hearn collaborated with Assistant Superintendent Brent Hemken in making arrangements for the training endeavor.

The training was held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. during the evening of Dec. 30th. During the training, the firefighters worked on their techniques for search and rescue, hose advancement and entry into a building skills. The Capper Building provided a two-story structure that offered multiple rooms and areas that provided a unique challenge that might not be available to the fire departments in their regular training.

The cooperative event between LSH and the area fire departments provided a great opportunity for fire training that brought all of the area fire departments together for the training event.