Union Volunteer Fire Department

05/23/2026

Today we are proudly collecting donations for Hoosier Burn Camp at 475 W & Shorewood Drive on Route 30. 🚒🔥

Hoosier Burn Camp provides burn survivors with a safe and supportive environment where kids can build confidence, friendships, and lifelong memories.

Stop by today and help support an incredible cause that makes a real difference in the lives of young burn survivors. Every donation helps!

04/17/2026

We were grateful to be invited to train with Boone Grove Fire Department and Kouts Fire Department this week.

Training with our mutual aid partners strengthens our abilities and services we provide together to better serve our communities together.

04/09/2026

02/18/2026

Services for Jack Runion are at Moeller Funeral home in Valparaiso with visitation 2-7pm Friday Feb 20 and Funeral will be at the same place Saturday at 11am with interment at Graceland cemetery. Jack will have Casket guards during visitation for any firefighters willing to help. As well as a funeral es**rt with apparatus to the cemetery. Any firefighters willing to help, please contact us, thank you.

02/17/2026

The Loss of a Legend: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Jack Runion

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Union Fire’s lifetime member, Jack Runion, who passed away last night with his family by his side.
In his final days, Jack was surrounded by those who loved him most. They were filled with storytelling, cracked jokes, classic one-liners, and a whole lot of “I love you’s” — a true reflection of the man we all knew. He was comforted by the presence of family and close friends.

Jack dedicated more than 50 years to the fire service and was instrumental not only to our department, but to the fire service as a whole. He touched an unimaginable number of lives through his service, mentorship, humor, and unwavering dedication to others.

A proud Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Jack carried his commitment to service into every chapter of his life. He served Union Fire as Chief Engineer, overseeing and maintaining our fleet of apparatus and ensuring we were always ready to answer the call. He also served as Chairman of our Board of Directors, helping guide the department and positively impact our funding and long-term sustainability.

Jack taught countless members a wealth of knowledge that will continue to guide generations to come. He designed and built both of our current fire stations — a lasting testament to his vision and commitment to our community.
A plane crash survivor and longtime fire apparatus salesman across northern Indiana, Jack continued to positively impact departments and firefighters far beyond our own.

Jack was known for his humor, wisdom, and unforgettable sayings. Many knew him as one of the funniest men you could ever meet — someone who could make you laugh even on the hardest days. From shared memories at the firehouse to lifelong friendships built through the job, Jack created moments that will live on far beyond any photograph.

We invite everyone to share their favorite Jack-isms, stories, and memories as we celebrate a life that truly made a difference.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out, shared kind words, and supported the Runion family and our department during this time.
Jack was a legend whose legacy will live on through the endless lives he impacted.

Rest easy, Jack. We are okay — and we’ve got it from here.

01/21/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department, as they mourn the loss of longtime member, Glen White.

12/17/2025

Congratulations to our Firefighter and Now EMT Adrianna Traficante! Well done, passing and becoming an official EMT!

12/12/2025

We are incredibly proud of Alex Mann for achieving this monumental milestone by graduating from the fire academy tonight. This accomplishment is a testament to his unwavering dedication and perseverance. As he embarks on this new journey, we remind him that this is only the beginning of a lifelong commitment to training, growth, and service.

12/01/2025

🎉🚒 Happy Birthday Jonathan Kolosiwsky! 🚒🎉

Join us in wishing a very happy birthday to Firefighter/Paramedic Jonathan Kolosiwsky!

Jonathan not only serves our community with dedication, but also brings his skills and commitment to the Hobart Fire Department as a Firefighter Paramedic. We’re grateful to have someone with his talent, heart, and steady reliability on our team.

Enjoy your day, Jonathan, you’ve earned it! 🔥💪🎂

11/26/2025

🦃 THANKSGIVING SAFETY REMINDER

From your friendly neighborhood fire department (the people who love you, but also don’t want to spend Thursday putting out a turkey fryer inferno).

As we roll into Thanksgiving, we just want to offer a few friendly reminders to help keep you, your family, and your smoke alarms from having a full-blown meltdown:

🔥 1. Turkey Fryers: The Olympic Sport Nobody Trains For

If you’re planning on deep-frying your turkey, remember:

Frozen turkey + hot oil = surprise fireball geyser that would make old faithful proud. Or your neighbors might think you launched a new space program 🔥💥🎆🧯

Keep the fryer outside, on flat ground, and far away from anything flammable (like your garage, deck, dog, or the fake lawn furniture).

And please, for the love of stuffing, use a thermometer. The “I’ll just wing it” method is not a recognized safety technique.

🔥 2. Kitchen Chaos Control

Thanksgiving cooking statistically causes more fires than forgetting your anniversary.

Don’t leave the kitchen while cooking. That’s when the food starts plotting against you.

Keep kids, pets, and overly helpful in-laws at least 3 feet away from the stove.

Keep flammable things away from heat—yes, even your cousin’s holiday-themed sweater counts.

Turn pot handles inward so they don’t get bumped—or used as a grab handle by a toddler with questionable life choices.

🔥 3. Travel Like a Pro

If you’re hitting the road:

Buckle up. Yes, even you, Tough Guy.

Allow extra time—everyone and their turkey is traveling.

Don’t drive distracted. Texts can wait. Turkeys don't need to be photographed from the passenger seat. Your followers will survive.

🔥 4. Smoke Alarms: The Real MVPs

Before the cooking begins, test them.
If they chirp randomly, it’s not “just being dramatic.” They need a new battery.

🔥 5. Gratitude Goes a Long Way

We’re thankful for this community, for your support, and for choosing to not set your kitchen ablaze this year.

And a big thank-you to our members spending the holiday ready to respond—hopefully to compliments and pie, not emergencies.

From all of us at Union Volunteer Fire Department,
Have a safe, happy, and drama-free (or at least fire-drama-free) Thanksgiving!

🦃🔥 Stay safe, eat well, and keep the flames where they belong—in the candle on the table, not the turkey.