Parks Motors Proudly Supports Beyond the Call in Strengthening Wichita’s Firefighters

When Wichita firefighters respond to a call, they are stepping into someone else’s worst day. The physical and mental demands of the job require strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment. That’s why our team is proud to support Beyond the Call, a Wichita-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health and wellness of the men and women who protect our community.

The organization was founded after Wichita Fire Department Lt. Dal Gains experienced firsthand the challenges firefighters can face during recovery. After suffering a serious neck injury in the line of duty, Gains discovered that while city resources were available, they were not tailored to the unique physical and emotional demands of firefighting. Determined to bridge that gap, Gains joined fellow firefighters Konner Knoll, Brian Doffing, and Johnny Doffing to launch Beyond the Call.

Their mission is simple but powerful: treat firefighters like professional athletes when it comes to prevention, recovery, and performance. As one founder noted, “A healthy fireman ultimately serves a community better.”

The organization has opened Station Zero, a 24/7 gym designed specifically for Wichita firefighters. Outfitted with weights, sauna facilities, cold plunges, and dedicated recovery space, the facility represents a $60,000 investment in firefighter wellness. But Station Zero is about more than physical fitness. It also provides a place for firefighters to decompress and connect with colleagues who understand the unique stresses of the profession.

Beyond the Call focuses on four primary areas of support:

• Preventative Care: Fitness programs, education, lifestyle guidance, and partnerships for physical therapy aimed at reducing injuries before they occur.
• Injury Rehabilitation: Establishing protocols rooted in sports science to ensure firefighters return to duty fully recovered—not just quickly.
• Health Screening and Testing: Cancer screenings in partnership with Via Christi, hormonal blood testing, and baseline health assessments to catch potential issues early.
• Mental Health Support: Expanded mental health programs to address the emotional toll of responding to traumatic emergencies—particularly critical as suicide remains a leading cause of death among firefighters.

The organization also plans to expand services to include financial planning resources and the development of a centralized, comprehensive care facility that would bring medical, physical therapy, sports science, and wellness services together under one roof.

At its core, Beyond the Call exists not as a critique of city resources, but as a community-driven effort to elevate firefighter care to the level their work demands. By strengthening those who serve, the nonprofit strengthens Wichita as a whole.

Parks Motors is honored to stand alongside Beyond the Call in supporting this vital mission. Firefighters pledge to lay down their lives for ours. Supporting their health, resilience, and well-being is one way we can answer that commitment with gratitude and action.

Community members and businesses interested in supporting Beyond the Call can learn more by contacting the organization directly at [email protected] or by visiting their website at beyondthecallwfd.com.

Together, we can ensure Wichita’s firefighters remain strong — physically, mentally, and financially — so they can continue serving our community at the highest level possible.