Ionia Volunteer Fire Department

04/06/2026

🚗📵 April is — a reminder that one moment of distraction when driving can change everything. Stay focused. Stay present. Lives depend on it.

03/25/2026

🚨 Honoring Our First Responders - First Responder Wellness Week 2026 🚨

From March 23rd to 27th, 2026, we join communities across the nation in recognizing and celebrating First Responder Wellness Week.

Our first responders – Law Enforcement, Firefighters, EMS, Dispatchers, and Emergency Management – are the true heroes on the front lines, selflessly putting themselves in harm's way every single day to protect and serve us. They witness and experience high-stress situations, trauma, and physically demanding circumstances, often with little time for self-care.

This dedicated week serves as a vital reminder that their well-being is paramount. First Responder Wellness Week is an opportunity for us all to show our support and appreciation for these incredible individuals, while also raising awareness about the unique mental and physical health challenges they face.

We believe that a well-supported first responder community is a strong and resilient community. Let's make First Responder Wellness Week 2026 a resounding success. Start planning now and let's make a difference in the lives of those who protect us!

03/24/2026

🚨 Training to Serve You Better 🚨

Many members of the Ionia Volunteer Fire Department attended Storm Spotter Training provided by the National Weather Service this evening.

This training is just one of the many tools in our toolbox that helps keep our team sharp, informed, and ready to respond when severe weather threatens our area.

From identifying dangerous storm conditions to communicating critical information, we’re committed to staying prepared for the wide range of events that can impact our community.

Your safety is our priority—rain or shine, we’re here when you need us. 🌩️🚒

03/23/2026

🚨 Ionia Volunteer Fire Department – Community Notice 🚨

As we head into CRP burning season here in Chickasaw County, we want to remind everyone to keep safety a top priority.

Controlled burns can be an effective land management tool, but they can quickly become dangerous if not handled properly.

🔥 Before You Burn:
• Check weather conditions — avoid high winds and dry, gusty days
• Create proper firebreaks around the area
• Have water, equipment, and help on hand
• Never leave a fire unattended

📞 IMPORTANT:
All planned burns must be reported ahead of time. This helps prevent unnecessary emergency responses and ensures everyone’s safety.
Please contact Chickasaw County Dispatch (non-emergency) before starting your burn.

👨‍🚒 Our volunteers are always ready to respond, but we rely on your cooperation to keep our community safe and prevent avoidable fires.

Let’s work together to have a safe and successful burning season!

— Ionia Volunteer Fire Department

03/17/2026

Sympathies to his family & all members of Calmar Fire Department!

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our fellow firefighter, Jeremy Weiss. Jeremy was a dedicated member of our department, serving in multiple roles over the years. As a past Training Officer and Captain, he played a vital part in preparing and mentoring our team. Jeremy’s commitment was evident in his willingness to stand by at the Spillville Fireworks for many years, ensuring the safety of all attendees.

He embodied community spirit, walking countless miles in the Festina Fourth of July parade and serving chicken noodle soup at numerous Calmar events. Jeremy was often among the first to arrive at the station, responding to calls at all hours with unwavering dedication. His service and devotion left a lasting impact on our department and the communities we serve.

While our hearts are broken by this loss, we extend our deepest sympathy to Jeremy’s mother, family, and all who loved and cared for him. His legacy of service, kindness, and commitment will not be forgotten.

03/15/2026

03/06/2026

Daylight Saving Time in 2026 begins on Sunday, March 8, 2026. At 2:00 a.m., clocks move forward one hour to 3:00 a.m. so set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

03/04/2026

This is a great opportunity to learn more about severe weather and storm spotting!

With spring right around the corner, now is the perfect time to brush up on safety and awareness. The classes are FREE, virtual, and open to anyone with an interest in learning more.

Let’s be prepared and weather-aware this season 🌪️

🌪️🌩️Spring spotter training is almost upon us! Make plans to attend one of our 3 upcoming virtual spotter training classes in March and April! We are unable to offer in-person training this year. Classes are FREE and open to anyone with an interest in learning about severe weather.

To register for one of these sessions, visit weather.gov/arx/skywarn and click on the calendar entry's registration link.

02/27/2026

To our Bassett friends; Due to explicit instructions from the Mayor of Bassett the can collection bin has been moved off of city property. It is now 1 block south of City Hall on private property owned by Bobby and Pam Lore. We appreciate the Lore's dedication and support of the Department allowing us to keep the collection bin in the area. All funds are used to purchase and replace outdated equipment. We appreciate your donations and support!

02/23/2026

Ionia Fire Dept. was a winner in a drawing from Amkus Rescue Systems for a LRS battery operated lightweight spreader. There were over 3,000 entrants and Ionia was drawn! Kodi Smith, Regional Sales Manager from Amkus presented it to the IFD on January 8th at the monthly mtg. We are very grateful to be the winner drawn for this spreader. It will be a valuable tool for the Department.

02/18/2026

*Updated* in Comments 👇

02/15/2026

Wow. What an incredible night at our 39th Annual Steak Fry Fundraiser! 🥩🔥

We want to send a HUGE thank you to all of our volunteers, sponsors, and every single person who came out to support us. Your continued support means everything to our department.

A special thank you to the Jolly Blue Bells 4-H Club for jumping in and helping out — we truly appreciate your hard work!

Thank you as well to everyone who donated items for our raffle. Your generosity helped make it a big success.

We are so grateful for this community and can’t wait to see you all again at our next Steak Fry! ❤️🚒