Fire departments across Dickinson County have united to form the Dickinson County Wildland Task Force to improve response to large-scale fires. The task force includes departments from Herington, Chapman, Abilene, Solomon, and surrounding districts, as well as emergency management personnel.

When activated, five fire trucks and a designated leader respond, ensuring efficient coordination while maintaining coverage in each community. This system replaces traditional mutual aid, which often depleted local resources. Chiefs like Kale Strunk and Andrew Avantagiato emphasized the value of unified training, shared protocols, and seamless communication.

The task force evolved from informal chiefs’ meetings and has already driven departments to invest in new equipment and elevate training standards. Beyond firefighting, the task force is equipped to handle disasters such as tornadoes and major accidents using the Incident Command Structure. Since April 2024, the task force has responded to six major fire events, enhancing both preparedness and collaboration countywide.