Valparaiso Fire

12/13/2023

Congratulations to the four new firefighters sworn in last night and to the three promoted to engineer. Pictured are Mayor Matt Murphy, Probationary Firefighter Austin Kwasniak, Probationary Firefighter Thomas Riha, Probationary Firefighter Anabelle Williford, Probationary Firefighter Domonick Mlechick, Engineer Eric Berg, Engineer Kurt Glomb, Engineer Marvin Miller, Fire Chief Chad Dutz. Valparaiso Fire

12/11/2023

Congratulations Probationary FF Tom Riha on completing your New Recruit Academy! It was a great final day burning at the MAAC!

11/06/2023

It’s been an awesome year for Valparaiso Fire. In 2023, the VFD added a dedicated truck company staffed daily, hired nine new personnel, and collaborated with the City of Valparaiso and Firefighter’s Local Union #1124 to secure a signicant raise for 2024! Firefighters, depending upon rank/position, will receive a 5-15% raise in 2024. Thank Chief Dutz, Mayor Murphy, and Local Leadership for all your efforts!

10/02/2023

PSA:
Due to the on-going truck rollover accident at the intersection of Industrial Drive and US 30, eastbound US 30 will be closed for approximately an hour starting around 1130 so that the trailer can be uprighted.

09/29/2023

It was a great week of live fire evolutions at the MAAC Foundation! Crews participated in search and rescue, VEIS, and fire attack. Thank you SBFD FF Nicholas Kieta for helping instruct. Valpo is blessed to be able to train at a state of the art facility on a weekly basis!

09/01/2023

Congratulations FF/Paramedics Chad Elwood and Shelby Sharpless for earning a Golden Axe Award for exceeding all expectations and rendering aid to a cardiac arrest patient while off-duty! Great job!

08/29/2023

Congratulations all!

Last night we were pleased to swear in two new firefighters and promote five firefighters to advanced ranks. Pictured are, left to right, Lieutenant Casimir Rosinski, Lieutenant Nick Fanelli, Captain Brandon Verkler, Mayor Matt Murphy, Captain Scott Hansen, Engineer Wayne Swart, Probationary Firefighter Drew Jacobs, Probationary Firefighter Bryon Gearhart, Fire Chief Chad Dutz. Fire

08/25/2023

Thank you NIFSAB for partnering with Valparaiso Fire on this educational opportunity for our community!

We offer a realistic hands-on approach to emergency services training. Our systems are designed to meet National Fire Protection Association requirements.

08/25/2023

The Valpo New Recruit Academy ended with a day of live fire scenarios that included fire attack, search, and VES evolutions. Congratulations Probationary Firefighters Ben Kroeger, Bryon Gearhart, Drew Jacobs, Domonick Mlechick, and Austin Kwasniak. Great work! Thank you Valpo Fire Educators Captain Brandon Verkler, Lt. Cass Rosinski, FF Lewis Matzat, and FF Miguel Plazola for training the next generation of Valpo firefighters!

08/24/2023

The Valpo New Recruit Academy “hit the box” today and completed an SCBA confidence course where they simulated exiting an occupancy in emergent conditions under zero visibility. The new recruits followed a hose line while navigating obstacles, entanglements, and confined spaces. Great job men!

08/23/2023

It was a HOT day for extrication training, but the Valpo New Recruit Academy got in some good reps!

08/23/2023

Vent, enter, isolate, and search! That was the training today at the Valpo New Recruit Academy. It was hot but the recruits worked hard! Extrication tomorrow. Stay tuned!

08/21/2023

Today was engine company operations at the Valpo New Recruit Academy. Thank you South Bend Fire Department FF Nick Nicholas Kieta for teaching our new recruits!

08/18/2023

The Valpo New Recruit Academy learned about fire behavior today in the MAAC flashover chamber. Thank you Portage Battalion Chief Chris Crail And Captain Andy Himan for helping your Valpo brothers!

08/18/2023

The Valpo New Recruit Academy spent an afternoon learning about the importance of proper coordinated ventilation and how to perform the required cuts for vertical ventilation on residential and commercial occupancies.

08/17/2023

It was hose pulls and hydrant ops day at the Valpo New Recruit Academy. Repetition makes muscle memory!

08/16/2023

It’s a great day for forcible entry at the Valpo New Recruit Academy!

08/15/2023

It’s search and rescue day at the Valpo New Recruit Academy!

08/02/2023

Congratulations Probationary Firefighters Austin Kwasniak and Domonick Mlechick (L-R) on your new careers at the Valparaiso Fire Department.

07/13/2023

07/01/2023

06/22/2023

Thank you UCAN staff for a great LZ training today!

06/21/2023

Thank you Lutheran Air staff and LA3 for a great presentation on landing zone safety today. A special thank you to Northview Elementary School and VCS for allowing us to use the area as an LZ.

06/04/2023

The Valparaiso Fire Department would like to extend their deepest condolences to the family of Chris Vanderpool and the PCSP during this time of deep sorrow. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. Rest easy #143.

05/05/2023

Valparaiso Firefighters honored the many heroes that work behind the scenes by helping serve lunch at VHS today. Thank you, VCS Food Services team, for keeping our students nourished every school day. You are truly unsung heroes!

05/01/2023

Congratulations Probationary Firefighter/EMTs Hunter Yager (L) and Noah Sanchez (R) on beginning your new careers at the Valparaiso Fire Department. .

04/28/2023

Valparaiso firefighters gave Olivia Lozano a small taste of what it is like to be a firefighter during VHS Student Government Day. She did a great job performing forcible entry on a door and climbing the aerial to the roof of a training structure.

03/01/2023

The Valparaiso Fire Department is currently on the scene of a residential fire in the 2500 block of Shannon Dr. Please avoid the area.

03/01/2023

The Valparaiso Fire Department would like to extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Chuck Conover. As Center Township Trustee for over 30 years, Chuck made public safety a top priority and was integral in the formation of the Valparaiso Fire Protection Territory. In fact, Station 3 on the west side of the city was dedicated in his honor. Thank you for your service Chuck. Rest in Peace.

02/24/2023

Have you ever considered a career in the fire service? Our hiring process is easier than ever. Go to joinvalpofire.org and fill out the interest form today to be part of our current process that closes March 15th.

02/17/2023

The Valparaiso Fire Department would like to extend it’s deepest condolences to the family and friends of Hobart Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Castle who passed away suddenly this week. Please keep Tom’s family and the men and women of the Hobart Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Rest in peace Brother.

02/04/2023

It’s a historic day for the Valparaiso Fire Department as we add a truck company to our incident responses to better protect our community. In addition to Ladder 3, we also operate three engines, three rescues, and a command vehicle, that went on over 5,550 calls last year! Thank you Valparaiso and Center Township for making public safety a top priority. Oh, by the way, Ladder 3 responded to an incident and gained entry to a building three minutes after being put in service at Station 1!

01/31/2023

Thank you Instructor Scott Bush and Sheet Metal Workers Local 20 for fabricating a replacement step for Ladder 3. We appreciate your dedication the community!

01/09/2023

Please help us spread the word about this great workshop at the Banta Activity Center!

01/03/2023

Make the resolution to be safe this year and make your appointment today.

01/02/2023

Thank you Ernie’s Shell for buying the on-duty firefighters pizza for New Year’s Day dinner.

12/29/2022

The Valparaiso Fire Department and Firefighters Local 1124 recently reached agreement on a three year contract that included a well deserved pay increase for firefighters. A great example of collaboration and understanding of the issues to meet a common goal—public safety for the citizens of Valparaiso and Center Township.

12/23/2022

Due to the holiday closures of Valparaiso's traditional warming centers, Valparaiso Fire #2, located at 2605 Cumberland Dr., will be open as a daytime warming center from 7:00 am to 8 pm daily on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 23-25.

11/19/2022

Thank you Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper for partnering with the Valparaiso Fire Department during Fire Prevention month! Your generous $10,000 donation purchased the fire safety materials needed to educate students at Valparaiso Community Schools.

11/13/2022

Go to joinvalpofire.org today to apply!