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Merrillville The Town of Merrillville is located 36 miles
southeast of Chicago in central Lake County along US-30. Ross Township
Fire Service, Inc. was formed to unify and consolidate three separate
Volunteer Fire Companies to protect the Town and Township. These three
companies make up the largest fully-volunteer fire department in Indiana.Merrillville VFD provides Fire, Rescue and Hazmat
protection to the Town of Merrillville and all of unincorporated Ross
Township, including 35,000 residents and approximately 38 square miles.
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| Merrillville Fire
Station - 18 West 73rd Avenue Merrillville's current station was built in 1981. Originally founded in 1958 as the Merrillville VFD, this station is home to five frontline apparatus. Merrillville's Hazardous Materials Team is located behind the station in a separate building. |
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| Engine 1 - 1994
Pierce Dash Pumper - 1500gpm/1000gal Engine 1 is first due for Fire and Rescue including the busy US-30/I-65 interrchange. E-1 includes Hurst extrication equipment and a thermal imaging camera among its many tools. |
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| Engine 1 - 1994 Pierce Dash Pumper - 1500gpm/1000gal | ||
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| Reserve Engine 2 - 1981 Mack CF Pumper - 1000gpm/750gal | ||
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| Truck 1 - 1993
KME Aerialcat - 102' Rear-mount Platform - 2000gpm/150gal Truck 1 is the tallest Aerial device among the departments protecting Merrillville |
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| Truck 1 - 1993 KME Aerialcat - 102' Rear-mount Platform - 2000gpm/150gal | ||
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| Rescue 1 - 1991
Kenworth T1000/Saulsbury Walk-in Heavy Rescue Rescue 1 responds to all tactical rescues and advanced extrications. It's equipment includes a 15Kw Generator, 8--bottle Cascade System, Gas & Electric Extrication Tools, a Plasma Cutter and Air Bags for vehicle and structure stabilization. It is the only apparatus in the department with it's unique Metallic Crimson color. |
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| Rescue 1 - 1991
Kenworth T1000/Saulsbury Walk-in Heavy Rescue Due to it's top-mounted exhaust stack, Rescue 1 requires a unique setup to keep fumes out of the firehouse. As the rig is backed in, it must line up with these flexible channels that run the length of the bay and remove exhaust fumes through hoses and fans connected in the back. Ironically, this system was discontinued in 2007 after it was determined that the narrowed exhaust tips restricted the exhaust flow and created engine issues. |
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| Rescue 1 - 1991 Kenworth T1000/Saulsbury Walk-in Heavy Rescue | ||
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| Squad 1 - 2003 Ford E-350/Omaha - 250gpm/200gal | ||
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| Squad 1 - 2003
Ford E-350/Omaha - 250gpm/200gal Squad 1 serves as the department's Grass Rig. It can also be used to respond additional volunteers to an ongoing incident. |
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| Former ALS Medic 3 -
2003 Ford E-450/Braun Until 2008, three nearly identical ambulances responded to BLS and ALS calls throughout Merrillville. While this service was always separate from the fire department, it was completely discontinued in 2008 and EMS was contracted out to Prompt Ambulance Service. |
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| Special thanks to Firefighters Billy Thomas & Aric Kaminsky for their assistance in arranging the apparatus for these pictures and for providing department background and history. |
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 Merrillville Volunteer Fire Department |
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