Indiana Fire Trucks: White River - Hazelton Fire Department

White River - Hazleton
Volunteer Fire Department

The Town of Hazleton is located 50 miles North of Evansville along US-41 and the White River in northern Gibson County. White River – Hazleton VFD provides Fire, Rescue and Medical First-Responder protection for 39 square miles in the Town of Hazelton, White River Township and portions of Washington Township. Through automatic mutual aid with Patoka – White River VFD, WRHVFD also regularly responds into the southern part of White River Township. Finally, the department operates the vehicles and provides personnel for the Gibson County Rescue Service

White River - Hazleton Fire Station and Fleet 2009

6 Engine 1 - 2004 Freightliner M2/E-One Pumper - 1250gpm/1000gal

6 Engine 1 - 2004 Freightliner M2/E-One Pumper - 1250gpm/1000gal

6 Engine 2 - 1973 Maxim F-Series Pumper - 1250gpm/500gal
This rig was purchased from the City of Vincennes FD in 2001.

6 Engine 2 - 1973 Maxim F-Series Pumper - 1250gpm/500gal

6 Brush 3 - 1978 GMC K6500/FTI - 250gpm/500gal
This former DNR truck originally served at the Crane NSWC where it originally had a 350 gallon foam tank. It then served
nearby Vincennes Township as Brush 6 from 1996-1999 before being acquired by Hazelton.

6 Brush 3 - 1978 GMC K6500/FTI - 250gpm/500gal

6 Rescue 2 - 1990 Ford – Darley Medium Rescue
6R2 carries a cascade system, medical supplies and equipment for water and rope rescues. It was acquired as a government surplus
vehicle from Indiana DNR in 2008. The Little York VFD had the truck prior to White River.

6 Truck 4 - 1974 Ford L-750/Hesse/1995 FD Support Unit
R-4 carries Haz-mat equipment and includes 2 cascade systems (one for refilling bottles, and the second for operating air tools).
It also carries a set of air hydraulic tools made by Gator. This former Pepsi delivery truck was purchased in 1995 from the
White County, Illinois EMS.

6 Tanker 2 - 1967 Kaiser M52-A2/2006 FD - 250gpm/1800gal
In September of 2006, department members moved the 200gpm deck gun to the front bumper and added an 1800 gallon tank
to the chassis. This all-wheel drive rig now serves as both a tanker and brush truck for the department.

6 Tanker 3 - 1980 Mack U/2004 FD - 250gpm/3000gal
This apparatus was constructed by department members on a chassis from Dubois County CO-OP and a former
propane tank from a place in Vincennes.

6 Tanker 6 - 1973 Kaiser M52-A2: semi-tractor with 380gpm/5500gal trailer
This apparatus includes a 10” dump valve and a 3000 gallon portable tank. It was acquired from the Indiana DNR in 2003.
Jackson Twp. had the truck prior to White River.

Gibson County Rescue Service, INC. (GCRS)
The Rescue Service was founded in 1980 and for many years provided EMS First Responder and extrication services for all of Gibson County.
The GCRS was the first "certified" rescue squad in Indiana. It is an all volunteer organization and operates entirely on fund raisers and donations.
At one time the GCRS had several hundred members. The GCRS operated trucks out of Princeton and Oakland City. GCRS provided
specialized rescue teams (High Angle Rescue Team and the Dive/Water Rescue Team) comprised of emergency personnel from around the county.
As fire departments took on more of the First-Responder and automobile extrication role in their response areas the need for the GCRS declined.

The Hazleton members of the GCRS took over operation in 1997 and moved both trucks to Hazleton. 14-Rescue-1 still responds to EMS and
accident calls in White River and Washington Townships alongside White River - Hazleton VFD. 14-Dive-1 and 14-Boat-1 were acquired for the Dive
Team. GCRS continues to operate and maintain portions of the High Angle Team and the Dive / Water Rescue Team out of the Hazleton station.

14 Rescue 1 - 1989 Ford F-350/American Modular
14-Rescue 1 responds throughout the White River - Hazelton area on all medical and accident calls. 14R1 carries Amkus hydraulic
extrication tools, including cutters, jaws, and ram. This apparatus previously serevd Vincennes City as Rescue 1 1999. From 1999-2006,
it served Johnson Township in Decker as Rescue 20.

14-Dive-1: 1994 Ford/Wheeled Coach
This apparatus carries dive team and water rescue equipment. It was purchased from the Gibson County Ambulance Service in 2006

14-Boat-1: Polarcraft: 18’ River Jon Boat
This useful boat was placed into service in 2001

Differences between Hazleton, Patoka and White River Fire Departments:
The Hazleton VFD has its beginnings back in the 1850's when the town was founded. The HVFD existed as a separate volunteer
fire department until 1988. The department was (and still is) all volunteer. During that time frame it operated by fund raisers, donations,
and a small budget from the town. The department responded to emergencies in and around Hazleton.

The White River Township VFD was started in 1974 by the township trustee. It was based out of the Patoka fire station.
The town of Patoka also still operates a fire department out of the same station. The Fire Chief and personnel are the same for both.

In 1988 the Hazelton VFD was absorbed by White River Township VFD. This allowed the departments to share firefighting funds.
This department is still all-volunteer and continues to raise a large portion of their operating budget through fund raisers and donations.
The department at Hazleton now calls itself "White River - Hazleton VFD" and the department at Patoka goes by "Patoka - White River VFD".
The two departments operate independently with separate Chiefs and reporting ID numbers. However, both operate smoothly with automatic
mutual aid to most incidents. The two departments also conduct joint training exercises and classes.

Special thanks to Asst. Chief Chad Ellis for his assistance in arranging the apparatus for these pictures.