Churubusco Fire Department

09/05/2026

🔥 PSA 🔥

Residence of Churubusco, Smith Township and the Southern half of Green Township. You will be receiving a letter in your mailbox 📪 from Churubusco/Smith Township Fire Department regarding our bi yearly photo fundraiser for an opportunity to take those family photos before the holiday season.

You may follow the instructions on the information mailed to you. This is NOT a scam.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and be safe!

🧯🚒🚨🧑🏻‍🚒🔥

08/28/2026

Grass Rig 209 standing by at the football game tonight! Go Eagles!!!!

08/27/2026

This evening at 5:28pm ⏰ Churubusco/Smith Township Firefighters 👨‍🚒 were dispatched to the 2500 block of East 400 South in Green Township Noble County for hay bales on fire. Upon arrival units found multiple hay bales on fire with exposures to nearby buildings and requested mutual aid from neighboring fire departments. Crews were on scene for close to two (2) hours working to extinguish the fire and move the hay away from nearby buildings utilizing heavy equipment. Engine 201, Tank 204, Grass Rig 206 and Grass Rig 209 responded with (13) firefighters while other members remained on station to assist in filling water tankers to shuttle water 💧 back to the scene.

Mutual Aid:
Albion Fire Department
Noble Township Fire Department
Thorncreek Township Fire Department
Laotto Fire Department

Stand By:
Avilla Fire Department
Columbia Township Fire Department

Thank you to all assisting agencies.

Photo Credit from a passerby

08/26/2026

Churubusco/Smith Township Firefighters are currently working a large hay fire in Green Township Noble County.

Engine 301 providing standby coverage for the Town of Churubusco while their crews assist Noble County with a fire.

08/23/2026

Our Congratulations for 50 years of EMS coverage in Whitley County.

08/19/2026

August 19, 1997, is a day that remains a solemn part of the history of our community and our local fire service. Today, we remember Firefighter Jeffrey E. Sammons of the Cleveland Township / South Whitley Fire Department, who made the ultimate sacrifice while battling a fire at the Farmers Exchange Tavern in Larwill. Twenty-nine years later, we honor Jeff’s service and sacrifice while also remembering his family, friends, fellow firefighters, and everyone who responded that day. For many, August 19, 1997, is more than a piece of fire service history. It is the memory of a friend, a brother firefighter, and a difficult day that will never be forgotten. Richland Township Fire Department stands with the Cleveland Township Fire Department and all those who continue to carry Jeff’s memory.

Firefighter Jeffrey E. Sammons, End of Watch: August 19, 1997. Never forgotten.

08/18/2026

The Members of the Churubusco Fire Department would like to congratulate the following on a save on August 16, 2026.
Chief Kyle Bair, Firefighter/EMT Pat Esslinger, Firefighter/EMT Ronnie Douglas.
Engine 201; Lieutenant Kaleb Woollweever, Firefighter/EMT Kallie Woollweever, Firefighters Bruce Shanabarger, Kris Bair, Carter Vanhouten, Cayden Young.
Rescue 208; Assistant Chief Todd Shively, Safety Officer Tadd Shively, Lieutenant Ben Rinker, Lieutenant Marc Bair.
Parkview EMS;Paramedic Jeff Bennett, Paramedic Jessica Muldoon.
Job well done!

08/17/2026

The Members of the Churubusco Fire Department would like to congratulate Members of the Thorncreek Township Fire Department and Churubusco Fire Department on a save August 15, 2026.
Thorncreek Township Fire:
Assistant Chief John Workman, Firefighter/EMT Jayden English, Firefighter Carl Freewalt.
Rescue 708; Firefighters Kevin Simmons, Steve Peters, Cassie Gessner, Andy Raber.
Churubusco Fire:
Captain Gage Shively, Firefighter Kris Bair.
Rescue 208; Lieutenant Kaleb Woollweever, Firefighter/EMT Kallie Woollweever, Firefighters Cayden Young, Kameron Rinker.
Grass Rig 209; Firefighter/Paramedic Tara Rittenhouse, Firefighter/EMT Brandon Rittenhouse.
Parkview EMS; Paramedic Jeff Bennett, Paramedic Jessica Muldoon, EMTs Tanner Moore, Kaylee Alspaugh, Kenner Hull.
Job well done!

08/14/2026

Friday Night Fun!

The work of a fire department goes far beyond responding to emergency calls. Fire inspections and community outreach are an important part of preventing emergencies before they happen.

Inspections help identify potential fire hazards, ensure safety measures are being maintained, and give us an opportunity to educate business owners and employees on fire prevention and preparedness.

Fire prevention also helps protect the investment that business owners have made in their buildings, equipment, inventory, and livelihoods. A fire can have a devastating impact on a business, potentially causing costly property damage, lost inventory, interruptions in operations, and even forcing a business to close.

By identifying hazards early and working together, the fire department and local businesses can help reduce those risks and protect both people and property.

Fire prevention is a team effort, and we appreciate the businesses and community members who work with us to make our community safer.

08/11/2026

This morning, 08/11/2026 at 10:54 am Churubusco/Smith Township Firefighters were dispatched to a house on fire in the 400 block of N. Line St. Within minutes of dispatch Fire 290 arrived on scene and advised that smoke and fire was visible from an attached garage on a two story balloon frame house. Fire 290 assumed command and coded the incident a working fire. Engine 201, Truck 207 and Rescue 208 responded with (10) ten firefighters and initiated an interior attack on the garage and living space of residence. Crews were on scene for close to four hours while making sure the fire was all the way out. Due to the construction of the home and void spaces where fire was hidden. Multiple Mutual Aid requests were made. No civilian injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation at this time.

Mutual Aid on scene:
Northwest Fire District-Huntertown
Thorncreek Township Fire Department
Laotto Fire Department
Columbia Township Fire Department
Northwest Fire District-Washington Township
Avilla Fire Department

Stand By:
Albion Fire Department (Stood by in Churubusco)
Union Township Fire Department
Richland Township Fire Department
Noble Township Fire Department

Other Agencies on scene
Churubusco Police Department
Churubusco Street Department
Parkview Whitley EMS
Whitley County EMA
AEP
NIPSCO