Fire Department

The Bluffton Fire Department was established in November of 1879 and provides fire and rescue services to the City of Bluffton, also Harrison & Lancaster Townships.

The first fire company was called the “Vigilant Hook and Ladder Company” and operated out of a fire station at the corner of Washington and Johnson Streets in Bluffton. The first fire equipment used by the department was a 2-wheeled handcart with buckets hanging on the sides. The first fire engines used were horse drawn and purchased in December of 1879.

In the early 1880’s another fire company formed here called the “Wide Awake Bucket Company No. 1” and they competed a short period of time with the Vigilants. In May of 1883 the Wide Awake Company was made an auxiliary to the Vigilants.

The first motorized equipment for the fire department was purchased in 1912 and was made by a company called “Mais”. Then in 1923 the department purchased another fire engine from “Stutz” in Hartford City, Indiana. The Stutz is still owned today by the City. The department had other equipment purchases over the years but one of the most memorable came in 1962 when the city purchased a pumper and ladder truck at the same time. The pumper and 65 foot ladder truck was purchased from “Howe Fire Apparatus Company” out of Anderson, Indiana.

Over the years the Bluffton Fire Department has continued to update our equipment to bring us to the level we operate today. We currently operate 3 front line engines, a 100 foot aerial truck, a tanker carrying 2500 gallons of water, a rescue truck, a grass truck, 2 boat trailers, a gator trailer, the counties hazmat, and foam trailer, and  2 command vehicles. As stated earlier the first Fire Station was located at the corner of Washington and Johnson Streets and remained there until it moved to the current city hall after completion in 1926. The Fire Station’s next move was in 1971 when the current Police-Fire building was completed. Then in 1991 an additional 4 bays was added to the 4 existing bays which is the station you see today.

PUBLIC EDUCATION 
The Bluffton Fire Department is available to any organization to talk about fire related subjects. Our department provides public safety education, and is responsible for enforcement of all City and State fire codes, including plan review and inspection services.

Safety Training is available, at no cost, for your workplace, church, club, residence or other establishment. Call at 260-824-6050 to schedule a training.

We strive to prevent fires through community awareness programs, such as open houses, presentations at local schools, tours and residential inspections. All these services are available upon request.

Frequently asked questions funding public Fire Protection

Fire Chief
Don Craig
Deputy Fire Chief
Chris Wolf
Battalion Fire Chief
Brandon Mechling
Engineers
Tim Franklin / Engineer/FF
Brian Ehrman / Engineer/FF
Ryan Stahly / Engineer/FF
Lt. Jim Platt / Engineer/FF
Dane Zoda / Engineer/FF
Kadin Gerber / Engineer FF
Taylon Elzey / Engineer/FF
Adam Hannie / Engineer / FF
Joshua Hall / Engineer / FF
Landon Eads / Engineer/FF
Caitlin Herndon / Engineer/FF
Cameron Rittmeyer / Engineer/FF
Mike Moriaity / Kelly Engineer
A Shift

Capt. Justin King

Lt.  Jordan Ehrman

Kyle Morphew

Denny Fiscus

Brad Nelson

 

 

B Shift

Capt.  Ryan Crist

Lt. Jeremy Heckel

Nathan Bueter

Alex Augsburger

 

C Shift

Lt. Justin Gerdom

Kelly Thompson

Mike Harris

Jeremy Wolf

Josh Moriarity

Matt Burkholder

 

Part Time Firefighters – Trenton Markley, Brianna Howe, Faith Liest, Alex Burkhart, Jonathon Temple  & Anthony Crossgrove.

CONTACT INFO
204 East Market Street
Bluffton, IN 46714

Administrative calls:
260-824-6050
Fax:
260-824-2027

Email:
Chief Don Craig
Deputy Chief Chris Wolf

Click this link to view the Bluffton Fire Department’s Mission Statement

Facebook
NSC_logo

National Fire Protection Association and Sparky the Fire Dog® needs you to join his fire safety team!

Unknown

A Way to Say Thanks to Hoosier First Responders...

Secure-Indiana-License-Plate.png