In November 2012, voters in Franklin Township and the City of Wellsville overwhelming approved the creation of the fire district pursuant to K.S.A. 80-1540 et seq. Creation of the Wellsville Fire District resulted in a single combined fire, rescue and first responder emergency medical services organization covering an area of over 90 square miles (nearly three times the size of the City of Lawrence). The Wellsville Fire District began operations on January 1, 2014. The WFD serves and protects northeastern Franklin County and northwestern Miami County including the City of Wellsville, Franklin Township, the town of LeLoup, eastern Hayes Township, and Richland Township.