At the time the paid department was organized, the training exercises were directed by the new Chief Walden. By 1890 a book of rules and regulations was written that described in detail what evolutions would be used in drills. The new hose house, #1, had been equipped with a drill tower, and the men practiced hose and ladder evolutions to make them more proficient in these uses. When Central Station opened in 1908, a drill tower was included as part of the building, and training exercises continued under the critical eye of Chief Walden. In 1897, Chief Walden took one of his crack drill teams to Kansas City, Missouri, to participate in the fire department contests where running, jumping, ladder climbing, and hose laying were demonstrated. There is no record of how Wichita's finest finished in the competition; however, it must be assumed they placed at or near the top.

When Chief Brownewell assumed leadership of the department, he also continued to emphasize the training program. In 1926, he assigned the first drill master, Assistant Chief Bert Furnas, who was in charge of the new fire school for training of firefighters. Later this school was to be renamed as a fire college, and firefighters from all parts of the state came to learn the latest in training techniques.

When new #2 Station opened in 1931, the drill tower was moved to that location. Lack of room for drill activities, which by now included pump evolutions and driver training, forced the moving of the tower to #8 Station at Third and Wabash Street. In 1966, the training grounds were again moved to a new location at Oliver and 31st Street South. Here, the training was expanded to include pit fires, interior building fires, a smoke building for use in air pack and rescue work, as well as the usual evolutions.

Five instructors under the direction of a Drill Master were eventually added to the training staff, although two men were later returned to the floor. Presently one Drill Master and three instructors provide regular training cycles at the training grounds, as well as numerous in-house classes pertaining to fireground operations. The list of subjects given in these classes is lengthy in number and are constantly being updated and expanded to provide the latest information and firefighting tactics for Wichita's firefighters.

There have been many men assigned to the Training Division over the years; some have served as Chief of the department, whil others have remained to continue the work of training men. Regardless of the title or position attained, the importance of the men in the Operations Training Division has never diminished; this is the neverending task of providing skilled and efficient firefighters who make up one of the most effective departments in the country.

Operations Training
Walter E. Campbell Chief Training Instructor	Robert W. Avery - Captain Training Instructor
Robert E. Blevins - Captain Training Instructor	Jack N. Bennett - Captain Training Instructor

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