(Statewide) – The Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association has come out in strong opposition to a bill being considered in the legislature that would change fire services in the state.
House Bill 1233 is authored by State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown).
It calls for the following to happen, effective January 1, 2027 in all counties except Marion:
- Township government is dissolved.
- The county executive assumes the powers and duties of township trustees with regard to fire protection and emergency services (fire services).
- An elected county trustee assumes the powers and duties of township trustees regarding township assistance.
- All fire protection districts and fire protection territories are dissolved.
- Fire services are provided in accordance with a county fire protection and emergency medical services plan (county plan).
- The county emergency management director is responsible for the day to day operations of administering the county plan.
The measure also calls for all incorporated towns with a population of less than 1,000 to be required to report no later than November 1, 2025, and every November 1 for four years thereafter as to the services provided to residents, and operating costs, and to be dissolved by the county legislative body if the town’s operating costs exceed the expenditures for delivery of services to residents.
“Please help us shut this down.”
“We have a Blue Light emergency.”
Those are the pleas from the Oldenburg and Versailles volunteer fire departments, respectively.
The local agencies and others have taken to social media to sound off against the legislation. They are urging residents to contact their local state representative to voice opposition to the measure.
