Fire Chief Mindy Andrasevits immediately realized the need for a community approach to help first responders deal with distressing situations following her move to Eudora.

Andrasevits took on the job last year and decided to recruit more volunteers to help the station’s firefighters.

The department responded to almost 470 incidents, 22 of which were fires, from January to mid-September, according to the most recent statistics. Rescue and emergency services made up over 70% of all calls to the department.

“The stress and trauma they experience on a daily basis has to be addressed,” Andrasevits said.

Following a few traumatic incidents faced by local firefighters, Andrasevits decided to expand the city’s fire corps, a group of volunteers.

This system is not unlike the one in place for the fire department itself: only three positions are full time and the rest are volunteers who have full-time jobs outside the department.

Andrasevits expanded the department’s chaplain position, previously held by Bud Elliott, a local pastor who currently serves a congregation outside Eudora.

“The need is there,” Andrasevits said. “The chaplains will be available to the citizens, and they’re also available to our responders.”

Andrasevits asked her wife, Krista Kiger, to join the corps as a chaplain. Kiger is a pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Leavenworth. She signed on and the Rev. Ross Baker of Eudora United Methodist Church joined soon after.

Kiger said she and Ross also plan to be visible at community events like EudoraFest.

“The role of the chaplain is kind of two-fold,” Kiger said. “If an extra pair of hands can help people in crisis and in their trauma, I think that’s always helpful. It doesn’t take away the trauma that’s happened, but it might make the journey a little easier.”

Like Kiger, Baker has experience serving as a chaplain, both in a hospital and nursing home. He lives in Baldwin City but says he wants to serve Eudora, a place his congregation calls home.

“I think that any traumatic incident that happens in life, regardless if you are spiritual or a churchgoer, I think as humans we sometimes need the space and the invitation to process through traumatic events,” Baker said.

Both chaplains are constantly on call and can be present following any traumatic event, like a severe car crash or fire. Kiger and Baker will be notified after firefighters arrive on a scene, and whoever is available first will head over to provide counseling for people affected by the incident, if they request that.

The chaplains can also be present at any debriefings following a serious incident, creating a space for first responders to talk with someone about their experiences.

Andrasevits said she sees the fire corps as part of a network where neighbors support their neighbors.

“Many of the volunteers live here in town, so they are invested in the community,” Andrasevits said. “They’re concerned about their neighbors, they love helping their neighbors.”

Reach reporter Abby Shepherd at [email protected]