KU fire institute names new leaders

The Kansas Fire Service Training Commission has new leaders.

Jim Keating, chief of the St. Marys Fire Department, is the commission’s new chairman, Kansas University officials announced. James “J.R.” Behan, supervisor with Finney County Emergency Medical Service and chief flight paramedic for the Garden City base of EagleMed, is vice chairman.

The commission oversees the Fire and Rescue Training Institute, which is administered by KU Continuing Education.

Last year, the institute provided more than 500 training classes and national certification examinations for Kansas firefighters.

State awarded nutrition grant

The Kansas State Department of Education has been awarded a $200,000 Team Nutrition grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The funds will be used to encourage schools to improve meals, provide nutrition education and incorporate physical activity to combat childhood obesity.

Joyce Kemnitz, Team Nutrition coordinator for Kansas, said the two-year grant would continue funding programs the state has in place for grades four through six. Funding also will be used to start a new program for preschool students.

The goal of the grant is to have state and local agencies work together to improve children’s lifelong eating and physical activity habits.