A weekend training event in DeWitt County allowed for a local fire department to be brought up to speed on recently purchased equipment.

The Kenney Fire Department Saturday weathered a windy and cool spring day to get caught up to speed on equipment that was purchased a few years ago. Assistant Chief Brian Robinson says despite having rescue jacks for a couple of years now, COVID interrupted opportunities to properly be trained on it so they took this weekend to get the training done.

According to Robinson, the department trained at the Tunbridge Township lot Saturday morning and afternoon and had a van on top of the front side of a sedan vehicle. He indicates there are a lot of scenarios the jacks may come in handy for.

Robinson thanked Baum Chevrolet Buick in Clinton for their support as well as Robin Huffman who donated the vehicles for the department to use Saturday. He says the community has been immensely supportive of them through The Eagles Daytona fundraiser as well.

Since the Kenney Fire Department is mostly volunteers and its volunteers are farmers, Robinson anticipates the next few months being a busy time for them but is looking forward to a live-fire training with Clinton and Warrensburg at a burn building during the summer.