The township board of any township located in any county in which there is a city of the first class having a population of not less than sixty thousand (60,000) nor more than two hundred thousand (200,000), may, by resolution, create a township fire department to furnish fire protection within such township. Such fire department shall be operated under the direction of the township board of such township or any such township may contract with another fire department for fire protection in such township.
K.S.A. 80-1902