Etna Township Fire and Rescue Services

07/13/2026

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🚁 Team Member Highlight: Meet Carl Wireman, Flight Paramedic

For the past 20 years, Carl has served the communities of NE Indiana as a flight paramedic with Parkview Samaritan. His journey into emergency medicine began more than 40 years ago when he joined his local fire department. Carl discovered a passion for helping others in their greatest moments of need.

When Indiana launched one of the state’s first first responder programs, Carl eagerly stepped forward. Wanting to do even more for his community, he completed an accelerated paramedic program. Along the way, he earned his IN and FL paramedic certifications, National Registry certification, First and Second Class Firefighter certifications, Master Firefighter certification, and eventually achieved one of his proudest professional accomplishments: his FP-C (Flight Paramedic-Certified) credential.

Before emergency medicine became his calling, Carl expected to spend his life in the automotive industry. A 4th generation auto mechanic, he learned the trade working alongside his father, who spent 37 years with Goodyear Tire. Even today, Carl still owns and operates a full-service repair shop.

Carl is also passionate about education, serving as a BLS, PALS, and ACLS instructor.

Ask Carl what keeps him coming back after two decades, and his answer is simple:

“I’ve never woken up and thought, ‘Oh crap, I have to go to work.’ I love my crew, and I love my work family. They mean so much to me.”

He describes the Parkview Samaritan team in three words:
Family. Caring. Committed.

A fun fact many people don’t know is that he married his high school sweetheart. This year they celebrate 45 years of marriage.

What Carl loves most about serving with Parkview Samaritan is the opportunity to care for the people in his community.

📸 The photo featured with Carl is especially meaningful—it was taken in front of the aircraft with his mom and dad shortly before his father passed away, making it one of his favorite memories.

Thank you, Carl, for your 20 years of dedication, compassion, and service to Parkview Samaritan and the communities you continue to serve. We’re proud to have you as part of our flight family! 🚁💚

07/08/2026

Congratulations to Firefighter Jarrett Gard. Jarrett recently completed his Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications and will be bringing his talents to Etna Township Fire and Rescue.

06/17/2026

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05/18/2026

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03/27/2026

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We’re running out of people.

This isn’t a problem unique to one town or one firehouse. It’s happening everywhere.

Across our communities, the number of people willing and able to volunteer is shrinking. At the same time, the calls are not slowing down. If anything, they’re increasing. More emergencies. More need. Fewer people stepping forward to meet it.

Inside the firehouse, that reality is already here, and being felt in real ways.

The same names keep showing up. The same group of people answering calls again and again. The list isn’t getting longer. The workload isn’t getting lighter. The workforce isn't getting younger. We’re relying on neighboring departments to fill the gaps, and they’re relying on us to help them more than ever.

This isn’t about the future anymore. This is happening right now.

I won’t sugarcoat it. Joining a volunteer fire department isn't easy, and it takes time. The initial training is demanding. It will interrupt your routine. There will be nights when it’s inconvenient, when it would be easier to stay home, when you question whether you can keep up.

That part is real. But it’s also temporary.

What’s on the other side of that effort is something most people will never experience. You learn how to stay calm when others can’t. You learn how to step into situations people naturally avoid and actually be useful. You gain real skills you use on calls, at home, and in everyday life. And you become part of a group that shows up for their neighbors when they need it most.

It’s rewarding. It’s satisfying. And it makes a difference in your life, and in your community. It changes how you see yourself.

This isn’t about being a certain type of person. It’s not about being the strongest or the fastest. It’s not about having experience or knowing exactly what to do on day one. There are roles for all kinds of people; on the fireground, in EMS, and behind the scenes.

What matters is the willingness to step forward and learn. Men and women. Young adults. Parents. People with full-time jobs and other commitments. People who have thought about it before but never took the first step. You don’t need to be ready for the worst right now. You just need to be willing to start.

Because here’s the truth: The calls will keep coming. They always do. It might be your house. It might be your neighbor. The only question is who will be there to answer them. Will it be you?

If this made you stop for even a second, don’t overthink it. Stop by your local firehouse. Message them. Talk to someone. Sit in on a drill. Ask questions. No pressure. No commitment. Just come see what it’s really about.

Because the hardest part isn’t the training. It’s walking through the door for the first time.

- Captain Cummings

03/11/2026

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Join us for live severe weather coverage in Indiana.

03/11/2026

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03/10/2026

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Folks, tonight is not a night you want to play around with, especially across northern Indiana. Significant severe weather is anticipated after 5pm tonight, and will continue through the overnight hours into Wednesday morning.

HAZARDS:
-Significant to Intense tornadoes are possible (EF-2 to EF-3+)
-Large hail may exceed golfball size
-Damaging winds to 70mph

TIMING:
5pm ET this evening through sunrise Wednesday

PLEASE have multiple ways to receive weather warnings tonight.