Tanker Overturns on Jesse James Farm Road

*** UPDATE *** From the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff's Office, 8/05/2025: Jesse James Farm Road remains closed from 132nd to 138th streets and likely will stay closed the rest of the week while clean up continues. More than 5,000 gallons of gasoline leaked. In the preliminary investigation, the driver of the semi truck stated the road was narrow, and he tried to move over for an oncoming vehicle, causing the truck's wheels to go off the roadway, leading to it overturning.

Original:

A semi-truck hauling gasoline overturned about 1 pm on Monday, August 4, just outside of Kearney, The incident which happened on Jesse James Farm Road at NE 138th Street, prompted an emergency response and the closure of a significant stretch of roadway.

Emergency crews responded promptly as the overturned tanker began leaking gasoline. The Kearney Fire & Rescue Protection District arrived on the scene to initiate a hazardous materials response, aiming to contain the spill and mitigate environmental impacts.

Authorities quickly closed Jesse James Farm Road between 132nd and 138th Streets to ensure public safety and allow crews to work unimpeded. Road crews have since placed barricades, and officials advised that this section of the roadway will remain closed overnight, with clean-up operations expected to continue through tomorrow.

Clean-up crews are working diligently to address the gasoline leak and prevent potential environmental damage. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has joined the efforts, alongside the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department, providing expertise and support for the hazardous materials response.

Officials have indicated that the hazardous conditions and the complexity of the clean-up will require extended closure of Jesse James Farm Road between 132nd and 138th Streets. As of a 4:10 pm update, barricades remain in place, and environmental crews expect to continue their work well into tomorrow.

The quick response of local and regional agencies ensured that no residents or responders were harmed during the initial rollover or subsequent leak. The cooperation between Kearney Fire & Rescue Protection District, Kansas City Missouri Fire Department, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been crucial in managing the situation safely.

Officials urge motorists to avoid the affected area and seek alternate routes until further notice. The public will be updated as soon as the roadway is deemed safe for reopening.

Authorities will provide ongoing updates regarding the clean-up progress and when Jesse James Farm Road will be reopened for traffic. Residents and commuters are encouraged to stay tuned for further information.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Fire’s first EMS Tech Institution Established

The Kearney Fire and Rescue Protection District (KFRPD) has worked with the University of Missouri Extension to establish its first EMS program.

The two agencies established the first Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) program and it’s being provided by the EMS Education Institute in the state of Missouri.

“The establishment of this AEMT program is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the quality of emergency medical services in our community and beyond,” reads the announcement on KFRPD’s Facebook page. “The partnership aims to address the growing need for highly trained emergency medical professionals capable of providing advanced life-saving techniques.”

Six KFRPD students will graduate from the course in a few weeks the course will conclude. The students will undergo rigorous training and education which prepares them to deliver advanced levels of care in emergency medical situations.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Fire Adds Ballot Questions in August

The Kearney Fire and Rescue Protection District has two questions in the August election for district voters to consider. If approved the initiatives will fund much needed equipment, additional staff and a second location.

Residents of the Kearney Fire District will be voting on Question 1 and Question 2 in the August ballot. Question 1 asks for an extension of the current bond that passed in 2010.

Artist rendering of an additional fire station near 144th st. and plattsburg rd.

“When the current bond was approved by the voters in 2010, we had responded to nearly 1200 calls in 2009,” reports Kearney Fire Chief Pratt. “In 2023 we responded to nearly 2300 calls with more than 1300 of those calls being emergency medical calls.”

Funding from the no tax increase bond extension will provide funds for capital expenditures which include building a second station on the west side of I-35, immediate purchase of a new pumper for the new station, immediate replacement of a 2001 pumper, purchase a third ambulance in 2027, and replace the 2013 aerial in 2028.

Question 2 asks for a half-cent sales tax increase. Funding from the sales tax will be used for funding new staff positions at the second station, funding the increased operating costs of the second station including utilities, personal protective gear, and building maintenance, funding other equipment replacement projects including heart monitors, radios, self-contained breathing apparatus, and vehicle extraction tools, and reduce the need for future property tax increases.

“Currently the property-owning residents of the district carry the entire financial load of the district through real estate and property taxes,” said Chief Pratt. “The sales tax allows funding from people who visit or travel through the district and make use of our Fire, EMS, and Rescue services.”

The district covers 82 square miles stretching from the Liberty city limits and Highway 69 (and includes Prairie Field and Private Gardens) to Arley and near Watkins Mill State Park. 

“We’re trying to balance service and response times in the entire district,” stated Pratt. “A new station built on the west side would decrease the response time with expanded staff and closer proximity to people who live in that area.”

Both questions must be approved by voters for the project to move forward. Election day is Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.