Fire Department
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Rushville Fire Department |
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Michael J. Justice, Fire Chief |
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Jeremy A. Green, Deputy Fire Chief
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Kyle Menkedick, Deputy EMS ChiefA message from the Fire Chief
Welcome to our Rushville Fire/Rescue Department website. The Rushville Fire/Rescue Department dates back to 1873. We began as a bucket brigade then moved to a volunteer department and then to a full-time career department with three (3) shifts (A, B, C). We work 24 hours on duty 7am to 7 am the next morning then off duty 48 hours. There are personnel on duty 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, holidays included.
We have 21 career personnel with 18 shift personnel. Each shift contains a Captain, Lieutenant, three Firefighters and a Paramedic. Three administration personnel consist of the Fire Chief/Advanced, Deputy Chief-Fire/Advanced and Deputy Chief-EMS/Paramedic. We also have a list of part-time Paramedics that provide 12-hour shifts.
We provide an all-hazard response department with personnel trained in the following: Fire Inspections, Fire Investigations, Vehicle Extrication, Emergency Medical Service ALS Transport, Rope Operations/Technician, Hazmat Awareness/Operations, Swift Water Rescue, Ice Rescue.
We have a 100ft Aerial truck, two Engines, three ambulances, water rescue boat and four support vehicles.
Many things have changed over the years, but one thing has remained constant; our desire to be involved in our community, live in our community and serve our community. We strive to provide the best possible services both in fire protection and emergency medical services always keeping in mind the taxpayers and their dollars. Rushville Fire/Rescue has developed a great working relationship with the outlying Volunteer Fire Departments.
The City of Rushville’s ISO rating is 5 and we continue to update and maintain that rating.
It is an honor and pleasure to serve the citizens of Rushville/Rush County and if I, or any member of the Rushville Fire Department, may be of assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you,
Michael J. Justice
Fire Chief
firechief@cityofrushville.in.gov
Rushville Fire/Rescue Department
Mission Statement
It shall be the mission of the Rushville Fire Department to provide the residents, property owners and visitors of the City of Rushville with rapid and immediate fire protection and emergency medical services by utilizing the synergies of a combined fire and EMS department. We will continually strive to efficiently and effectively utilize our resources that best serve our community. We hold as our core values professionalism, integrity, honesty and truthfulness.
Fire Department Facts
All personnel operate out of the city’s only fire station which is located at 120 North Perkins Street. The department serves a jurisdiction of 3.09 square miles and an estimated 2022 US Census city population of 6,135.
Fire Department Programs
Rushville Fire/Rescue provides smoke detectors to city residents, in cooperation with American Red Cross, when possible. However, smoke detectors are not always on hand, and they are distributed on a case-by-case basis. A member of the Rushville Fire/Rescue will also check and install smoke detectors, provided by homeowners upon request, as well as check homes for carbon monoxide poisoning and gas leaks.
Annually, for over 20 years, RFD staff have provided fire safety coloring books to grades K-3 at all county elementary schools in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week. In addition, the firefighters are always happy to provide a tour of the fire station for any interested person or group.
Ambulance Service
To improve public safety and maximize the use of city tax dollars, the City of Rushville started providing an ambulance service on January 1, 2014. We began as a Basic Life Support service then upgraded to Advanced EMT’s in the fall of 2015. In 2018, we were awarded the EMS contract for the Middle District of Rush County which consists of 126 square miles. Because of that contract, we again upgraded our service to a full-time Paramedic Service along with some part time paramedics.
We continue to provide mutual aid to the North and South District of Rush County.
This service includes three fully equipped Paramedic ambulances, with two carrying hydraulic rescue tools to aid in the extrication of persons injured in traffic accidents if/when needed.
The city’s ambulance service is sponsored by the IU Health/Ball Memorial Hospital and provides Basic Life Support, Advanced EMT and Paramedic levels.
