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Shawnee Heights
Fire District

District Overview

Two red fire trucks labeled "Shawnee Heights" are parked outside a fire station with a white garage door. An American flag is flying on a pole in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Shawnee Heights Fire District protects 144 square miles, with a population of 19,000. Our district includes Tecumseh, Topeka, Monmouth, and Williamsport Townships. We are committed to the highest level of service to our community as we protect life, property, and the environment in a highly effective, efficient, and responsible manner.

Mission & Goals

Mission Statement

“It is the mission of the Shawnee heights Fire District to provide the best fire and EMS service and exceed the expectations of the community.” We will accomplish this through rapid safe response, quality training and effective community risk reduction programs.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to be the finest fire and EMS service organization by utilizing and developing our members to their fullest potential, maximizing our use of the resources available to us, and being responsive to the changing needs the community we protect.

Core Values

  • Integrity – We value the integrity and honesty of our members. We will make every effort to establish and maintain the trust of our community and fellow firefighters.
  • Personal accountability – We will take ownership of our conduct and actions whether on or off duty.  We will be accountable to each other and the community we are sworn to serve.
  • Respect – We believe in the basic dignity of every individual and value all members of the community and our department. We will honor those that have served before us.
  • Compassion – We will show compassion to our citizens and make every effort to empathize with then during their time of need.
  • Dedication – We recognize that we are called on to respond to many types of emergency and non-emergency needs of our community. We will make every effort to be prepared to handle these needs through a commitment to training and preparation for the duties of our chosen trade.
  • Pride – We will take pride in ourselves, our department, and our community.  We will strive for excellence in all we do. We will be active participants in the community we serve.

District Map

Map of the Shawnee Heights Fire District, outlined in red, showing major roads, highways, and labeled sections 21, 23, and 25 within the district. A north arrow and the city of Topeka are also visible.

Join Us

Our firefighters are part-time or career employees of the fire district. We recruit every 18 to 24 months and hire a group of around ten part-time firefighters to replace employees we have lost due to attrition. When we recruit part-time firefighters, we are hiring individuals who are willing to complete both Firefighter I and Emergency Medical Technician curriculum.

Full Time Firefighters

Full Time Firefighters are full-time employees of the fire district who work 24-hour shifts staffing three of the District’s fire stations. Each shift is supervised by a shift commander (normally with the rank of Battalion Chief).

On-Call Firefighters

On-Call Firefighters are the primary source of manpower for the Shawnee Heights Fire District and are vital to the protection of our citizens. They respond to fires, rescue calls, emergency medical responses, and other types of emergency incidents. On-Call Firefighters are expected to perform the same duties as a full time firefighter, including strenuous activity while combating and extinguishing fires in harsh environmental conditions. On-Call Firefighters are alerted about emergencies through pagers and portable radios and respond directly to emergency scenes in their personal vehicles.

There are currently no job openings.

Please check back later, and monitor our news page.

Two firefighters in full gear and helmets are working near a fire truck. One firefighter is kneeling with an oxygen mask on, while the other stands behind them, both focused on their task.

Station Information

Bold white text reads "New Station Coming Soon" over a red background with a faint image of fire trucks and the Shawnee Heights Fire District badge at the bottom.

Station 21

Station 21 was built in 1979 as the district reorganized for better coverage to Topeka Township. The district grew out of its former station, at SE 29th and California where McDonald’s now stands, and needed to relocate fire stations to the south and east.

2626 SE Shawnee Heights Road
Tecumseh, KS 66542
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A beige and red metal building with a red roof and four large garage doors, labeled "Shawnee Heights Fire District Station #22" above the entrance, sits on a paved lot under a cloudy sky.

Station 22

Station 22 was built in 2011 to provide additional fire protection to the area around the Tecumseh community. This un-staffed station has three bays that are each capable of holding a full-sized fire apparatus.

SE 2nd & Tecumseh Road
Tecumseh, KS 66542
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A small fire station with a U.S. flag flying in front, featuring two fire trucks and two emergency vehicles parked outside under a clear blue sky.

Station 23

Station 23 was built in 1981 as the district reorganized for better coverage to Topeka Township. The district had outgrown its former station, at SE 29th and California where McDonald’s now stands, and needed to relocate fire stations to the south and east.

5301 SE California Ave
Topeka, KS 66609
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A beige and red fire station building with three large garage doors, labeled “Shawnee Heights Fire District #25.” There is a small entrance with a ramp and accessible parking in front, surrounded by trees.

Station 25

Station 25 was built in 2006 when Monmouth Township officially joined the fire district. Land for the new station was generously donated by long-time Monmouth Township residents William and Geneva Armstrong.

SE 89th & Paulen Road
Berryton, KS 66409
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