Arkansas City Firefighters Launch Local Chapter of National Professional Organization
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Firefighters from the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department have officially launched a local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society, a national organization dedicated to promoting pride, tradition, brotherhood and training within the fire service.
According to a post on the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department's official Facebook page (facebook.com/ArkCityFireEMS/posts/pfbid02rgkDLPTRpmban5YhCsJsxpdpCC7vyMb6CSoc2BRTh4iJRCLPqWmcSd8JuWhY561Gl), the Cherokee Strip FOOLS chapter was organized in February 2026 and currently includes 10 members. Membership is open to career, volunteer, part-time and retired firefighters.
The chapter's founding board member, Lt./AEMT Logon French, said the organization grew out of a desire to create something independent that reflects the values of the fire service.
"We wanted to start something we can control ourselves that is separate from the City," French said. "It's something that we run, that we're proud of, that helps give us pride, tradition, and honor in our profession. We wanted something that brings firefighters together and pushes us to be better."
The organization operates independently and does not require city funding. Members pay $100 annually to support training opportunities and chapter activities. Funds may be used to bring outside instructors to Arkansas City, offset costs associated with specialized training courses, purchase training materials or equipment, and support initiatives that promote pride, tradition and brotherhood within the fire service. The City of Arkansas City allows the chapter to utilize training facilities and equipment for voluntary, off-duty training sessions.
"If we bring somebody in for training, our members can attend because they're paying dues," French said. "But we also want firefighters from other departments to have the opportunity to participate. It's about helping improve the fire service across our area."
The chapter has also established a fitness standard designed to motivate members to maintain and improve their physical readiness. French emphasized that the goal is motivation, not exclusivity.
"It is not super hard, and it's not unobtainable at all," French said. "I think anybody here could do it if they really tried. We wanted something to help drive people, so it's not just, 'You're in, congratulations.' We wanted members to have something to achieve and something to be proud of."
Firefighter/EMT Austin Billings said the organization reinforced his commitment to personal and professional growth.
"I'm going for more training and just to better myself as a firefighter as a whole and give back to our community," Billings said.
The chapter also aims to strengthen relationships among departments throughout Cowley County and surrounding communities. Shawn Dent, who serves full-time with the Winfield Fire Department and part-time with Arkansas City Fire/EMS, said the cross-department potential is significant.
"We work together so much, I don't understand why we don't train together more often," Dent said. "Having something countywide like this is awesome. It's an opportunity for all of us to work together, train together, and get better together."
Arkansas City Fire Chief Stuart Casaboorn praised the chapter's formation as a benefit to the broader community.
"These firefighters stepped up and pushed beyond and held themselves to a much higher standard than what you would see in a typical day-to-day shift," Casaboorn said. "It's beneficial to Arkansas City because we have better firefighters. They're doing this on their own time because they want to give back to the community and make sure they're part of a professional department, not just a department."
The chapter has already hosted its first training session at the Arkansas City Fire/EMS training grounds, focusing on realistic, scenario-based exercises designed to prepare firefighters for a variety of emergency situations.
"We're really trying to push ourselves beyond typical day-to-day training," French said. "The goal is to prepare firefighters for anything that comes across their path."
Founded in Florida in the 1990s, the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society is an international organization with chapters throughout the United States, Canada and South America.
Source: Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department Facebook page.