Phone: 913-715-0725
111 S. Cherry St., Suite 3300, Olathe, KS 66061
The County Manager's Office is responsible to the Board of County Commissioners and the residents of Johnson County for the effective and efficient delivery of programs and services, using sound management and financial principles while emphasizing high ethical values, innovation, and continuous improvement.
If your civic group or organization is planning a firework display for the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations, be sure you are following local laws and ordinances and that necessary documents have been submitted by the deadlines.
First, to obtain a permit, the applicant must represent a qualified civil group or organization. A qualified group is defined as any governmental entity, homeowners' association, neighborhood association, group of homeowners which comprise most of the residences within 1,000 feet of the location of the display, and similar groups maintaining a neighborhood or civic purpose.
Residents should start planning their fireworks events by checking their local laws and ordinances. Cities have guidelines regarding if, when and what types of fireworks may be allowed. Fireworks are illegal in the unincorporated parts of Johnson County, unless a permit application is submitted at least 10 days in advance of the event.
A permit is required before using any fireworks, as part of a public exhibition or display.
Three important rules to note:
Other important information regarding the permit of fireworks is available online.
Residents who have concerns about fireworks being shot off illegally should contact local law enforcement at their non-emergency number. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number is 913-782-0720. Check your city police departments website for those non-emergency numbers. If there is an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
If you’re in need of emergency medical services in Johnson County, you can feel confident that you’re in great hands. This week, the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Recognition program awarded Johnson County’s EMS System with a Gold Plus Award, its highest honor.
In order to receive this rating from Mission: Lifeline, the Johnson County EMS System, which is comprised of MED-ACT and fire departments in Johnson County must have received at least a silver recognition last year, a 75% or better compliance on all measures evaluated, and meet the minimum volume requirements in a calendar year.
The program evaluates, among other things, the immediacy with which life-saving measures are administered prior to arrival at a hospital.
“This award is a direct reflection of the teamwork among the Johnson County EMS System,” said Melody Morales, Johnson County EMS System Medical Director program manager. “The Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus Award is one way in which we can demonstrate that we make a difference and to ensure that we are providing the best care to our community.”
Morales provides an example to demonstrate how the team’s work is assessed to achieve a rating: A person calls 911 for chest pain. The clock starts ticking as soon as the crew arrives and makes contact with the patient. They have 10 minutes to make contact with the patient, assess what is going on and obtain a 12 Lead (tracing of the electrical activity of the heart). Then, the provider determines from the 12 Lead that the patient is having an ST elevation myocardial infarction. It’s important that this information is shared quickly with the cardiologist in order to determine the best treatment for the patient.
“It is a team approach, and EMS plays a huge role in the survival and outcome of the patient,” Morales said.
Learn more about the Mission: Lifeline® EMS Recognition program.
David Judd, custodian for the Department of Corrections, demonstrates how working in public service often means going beyond the definition of your job description.
His artistic talent first came to light when he entered a painting in the ArtsKC show. His supervisor and co-workers took notice and consequently, he has moonlighted and created 11 murals for three correctional facilities.
In an environment where people are struggling, his artwork carries messages such as strength and the will to overcome adversity and has been said to inspire hope and belief.
“I paint to improve people’s lives, perceptions and perspectives,” Judd said. “I believe we are all influenced by images and words, everything around us,” he remarked. “I think it has an impact.”
As this video shows, David devotes his many talents to the public good. And as you’ll see, he is very talented.
County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson notes, “David does so much more than just show up and work his shift. He has taken it upon himself to help create a therapeutic environment for the clients in the various Corrections facilities.”
Want your picture featured in JoCo Magazine? Through June 29, post a picture of your "staycation in Johnson County" on social media with #JoCoStaycation. The best pics will be featured in the upcoming edition of the magazine! We'd love to see how you are enjoying all that Johnson County has to offer!
The intersection between health and housing took center stage yesterday, at the 2019 Human Service Summit, hosted by United Community Services (UCS) of Johnson County.
Elizabeth Holzschuh, an epidemiologist at Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, co-presented a session called “Health Starts at Home – a Look at Local Health and Hosing Data,” along with Julie Brewer, UCS executive director. Below are some key facts Holzschuh shared.
Also at the event, Johnson County Department of Health and Environment Deputy Director Mary M. Beverly, MPH, served as a panelist on a discussion about why accessible housing choices matter.
“When a person or family cannot afford to pay their rent or mortgage, this means that they may not be able to pay their medical bills, car payment or plan for unexpected expense. This can put a person or family into a downward spiral,” said Beverly. “We want to get ahead of this situation and prevent it from happening in the first place.”
You can access UCS data on homelessness, health insurance coverage and other data at this link.
Several Johnson County departments played integral roles in advance notification of the EF-4 tornado that struck the Kansas City Metropolitan Area on Tuesday, May 28.
Following the disaster, more Johnson County staff responded to requests for assistance from affected jurisdictions to begin recovery efforts.
The Public Works department sent a seven-person crew to Leavenworth County the day after the tornado. They helped clear fallen trees, open roadways and remove debris for several business days.
Jim Sherman, contractor licensing program manager for the Planning Department, and Jeff Finch, a county building inspector, volunteered to assess storm damage in Douglas County.
Emergency Management staff supported recovery activities by coordinating resource requests and temporarily providing staff support for affected emergency management offices.
The state of Kansas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will use the damage assessments they conducted to help determine whether there was enough damage sustained to be eligible for federal disaster assistance.
Get access to published meetings, resolutions, transcripts, management reports, and general files from the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners board meetings.
111 S Cherry St, Olathe, KS 66061 | 913-715-5000 | TDD: 800-766-3777
© Johnson County, KS, USA 2018
