Warrensburg Fire Chief Ken Jennings believes the fire
department and the community must work together.
“The community and the fire department’s relationship
has always been strong,” said Jennings. “Both sides
helping each other, helping the community. It still
has enough of that small town dynamic that makes
Warrensburg unique.”
The Warrensburg Fire Department includes both full
time and part time firefighters on their team. One of
the part time firefighters, Daniel Brown, who used his
skills to support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict over
the summer of 2022.
Brown has returned to the Warrensburg Fire
Department after returning safely from Ukraine. He
describes his time in Ukraine as being more put together
than he expected. He knew that he would most likely not
be in combat; however, he was witness to missile strikes
during his work. Brown also explained why he did what
he did.
“The whole situation is just unjust in general,” said
Brown. “The watching, the emergency services, the
firefighters there having to go in after missile strikes
and stuff like that and risk their lives, working 24/7.
Having to risk another missile attack in order to help their
community really inspired me to go.”
Brown’s efforts while volunteering did not go unnoticed,
not only in Ukraine, but also in the Warrensburg community
University of Central Missouri alumna Allina Robie, who
has also volunteered in Ukraine, spoke
about the need for volunteer work during
the crisis.

“Everyone has the opportunity to respond to crises and
injustices of the world,” said Robie. “Not everyone is in a
position to jump into action and serve on the ground, but I
encourage everyone to take the time to identify what they
care about and evaluate what they can and will do for
those values. Performative activism isn’t always a bad
thing, but it’s not the most helpful. So allow yourself to
have your heart broken for a cause and do something to
make the world a little less heartbreaking. If that cause is
Ukraine – we need the help.”
Brown’s decision did not come as a shock to those
around him due to his bravery and passion.
“It’s not surprising that when that opportunity presented
itself that he wanted to take advantage of it, just to serve
in a different capacity,” said Jennings. “He put his skills
to work in an area of the world that needed some help
at the time.”