Patoka Township Fire Department

04/22/2026

Tuesday April 14th we worked with multiple Public Safety Agencies to perform a mock scenario for Pike Central High School Juniors and Seniors. A team of 3 got together with Adam Vaal and his Fire Science Students along with SADD students who participated in the scenario and put this together. We had by standers on scene and injuries that varied from a few bruises to critical. Students were extricated from the vehicle by fire personnel and treated by EMS, the "drunk driver" was handled by law enforcement personnel, and a mock patient was flown out by Air Evac. Indiana State Police brought in their drone to display how it can be used in accident reconstruction. The students were actively engaged with it. We hope that it helps them to think twice and make good decisions. And see the how real it can be by distracted or drunk driving. If one kid makes a better decision from this it is a success. Participating Agencies with us were. Petersburg Fire Department Pike County Sheriff's Office - Indiana Pike County 911 Jefferson Township Fire Department Pike county EMS, Air Evac 46 out of Evansville and Indiana State Police Evansville. Schell Towing for vehicle donations.

04/17/2026

There are still bottles of drinking water at the station if anyone needs it!

Per Patoka Township Fire: Members of the Patoka Township Fire Dept. have set up a dump tank at the Winslow Fire station for non potable water for residents. There are only a few cases of drinking water available for donation so residents are asked to be courteous and only take a limited number of bottles. They may have to buy their own drinking water until the water is back on. This is just to help where we can. If anyone wants to donate jugs or bottled water it would be happily accepted as well.

04/16/2026

Please be courteous. Do not take a whole case of water when there is a whole town to try to assist. Any unopened bottles or jugs of water that someone wants to donate will be accepted. This is inconvenient for all of us. Let's work together and hope things will get back to normal soon. **Also Note Non Potable water Is not good for drinking, or cooking**

Per Patoka Township Fire: Members of the Patoka Township Fire Dept. have set up a dump tank at the Winslow Fire station for non potable water for residents. There are only a few cases of drinking water available for donation so residents are asked to be courteous and only take a limited number of bottles. They may have to buy their own drinking water until the water is back on. This is just to help where we can. If anyone wants to donate jugs or bottled water it would be happily accepted as well.

04/11/2026

04/10/2026

Dispatcher Appreciation week Starts Monday. Dispatchers are the unseen and often unsung heroes of Emergency Services. Our dispatchers have 2 people on shift doing Fire,Ems, and Police dispatching often at the same time. Dispatchers often get the brunt of someone's fear, anger, or confusion in an emergency. They are the calm voice trying to make sense of a situation they can not see. They muti-task, sending the help that's needed often while taking care of the caller, dealing with radio traffic, and putting information into the system and still take regular everyday phone calls in the middle of the chaos so everyone can get the attention they need. Appreciate your dispatchers not just next week but always. Pike County 911

03/30/2026

Today Patoka Township Volunteer Fire Department was called out to a working structure fire. It is believed that a wood pile was being burnt away from the structure and the wind shifting igniting the leaves and brush in the yard eventually catching the outbuilding and garage . The fire was maintained and controlled quickly once fire crews arrived . A large portion of the yard and wooded area behind the residence had also burned. All occupants were safely able to get out of the residence.

We would like to make sure to thank those that assisted us in this.

Pike County 911- Dispatchers for getting the information out efficiently and getting extra resources sent in a timely manner.

Petersburg Fire Department
Spurgeon Fire
East Gibson Fire
Pike County Sheriff's Office - Indiana
Pike County EMS
Pike County EMA

Working together truly helps everything run smoother.

02/18/2026

Be prepared. It's uncertain what we will get. Have flashlights, fresh batteries, and a safe place to go in case of severe weather.

THURSDAY, FEB. 19: The Storm Prediction Center has added the southern half of Indiana to a slight risk of severe weather. We will keep track of this as the week goes on, but the timeframe to watch is Thursday afternoon/evening.

01/30/2026

This is a few days late but we would like to thank Buck Seger for helping to keep our parking lot clear and for making sure some of the volunteers could get out of their drives. Also a shout out to the County Highway Department for all of your help as well.

01/22/2026

With the severe winter weather headed our way, we want to remind you that if you do not have to be out, then please stay home, for your safety and the safety of responders. If you have to be out please take your time and have an emergency winter kit with you. Suggested items to have with you, road side flares or glow sticks, flashlights, blankets, extra clothes , non perishable protein filled snacks, bottled water and a medical kit. But again please stay home if you can.

01/03/2026

Yesterday Patoka Township Fire was called to a fully engulfed structure Fire. The occupant of the residence was able to get out on his own and sat with a Pike County Sheriff's Office deputy who also provided scene updates until Pike County EMS and Fire Units arrived. Patoka Township Fire established Fire command and were assisted in Fire suppression by Petersburg Fire Department and Spurgeon Fire. Pike County EMS and The Pike County Sheriff's Office - Indiana assisted in setting up a landing zone for Air Evac 46 out of Evansville, Indiana.

10/10/2025

10/08/2025

One of the many hazards firefighters now face. From StacheD Training, Oct 5, 2025: Five Sacramento firefighters were hospitalized after responding to a Tesla crash — and they weren’t even close to the car fire. The vehicle’s battery pack had been compromised, scattering hundreds of cells across the roadway. When the tow truck tried to move the Tesla, the main pack reignited, releasing a massive v***r cloud that traveled hundreds of feet downwind.

These weren’t just flames — this was a toxic mix of hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and v***rized solvents like ethyl and dimethyl carbonate. The result: four firefighters still off duty months later with lasting respiratory, cardiac, and renal complications.

In this video, I break down what happened, what was found in the Sacramento Fire Department’s official green sheet, and what every department should learn from this incident. We’ll talk safe standoff distances, air monitoring, fog stream use, and why “smoke” from an EV battery isn’t smoke at all.

https://youtu.be/I-XFHdnN1tE