The City of Wichita will provide $95,000 to reimburse Sedgwick County for half of the cost of a review looking into the response to a fatal fire last year.
Sedgwick County hired the Chicago firm of Jensen Hughes in May to investigate the response from 911 and Wichita Fire Department crews to an October 2nd, 2023 fire at the Brookhollow Apartments near Central and Rock Road. The fire trapped 22-year-old Paoly Bedeski in her apartment and she died after calling 911 for help.
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Emergency Communications Advisory Board recommended a third-party review of the incident. The review will look at training, policies, procedures and communications between 911 and fire responders.
Assistant City Manager Donte Martin told the City Council Tuesday that Sedgwick County agreed to pay the total $190,000 cost of the review up front and then be reimbursed by the city. The Council approved payment of the city’s portion of the cost.
Martin said Jensen Hughes staff visited the city during the summer and met with first responders, and a draft report is expected by the end of October.
