Indiana Fire Trucks: Union Fire-Rescue

	Union Fire-Rescue Union Township is located 45 miles southeast of Chicago along US 30 & SR 130 in western Porter County. Union Fire Rescue serves a 35 square mile jurisdiction home to 17,000 residents. Founded in 1952, the department provides Fire, Rescue, and BLS non-transport services with 32 volunteer members and 8 front line apparatus. In 2001, Union Fire and Porter EMS combined forces and put an ALS ambulance stationed at Union Fire Station 1100. This provided better response times of the ambulance to the citizens of Union Twp. Union Fire runs an average of 500 calls a year from two stations.


1100 – Headquarters – 551 W St. Rd. 130, Wheeler, IN 1100 is home to 4 front line apparatus, including Quint 1121, Tanker 1144, Squads 1152 and 1176. The station also includes one ALS ambulance staffed 24/7 with medics from the Porter County EMS. The station has a kitchen, 2 bunkrooms and a day lounge for the on-duty crew. It is also home to the chief’s office, asst. chief’s office, Lt.’s office, radio room, and the department's cascade system. In 2000/2001 the building was remodeled to its current size from being a small, three bay station with only a kitchen and a radio room in it.


Quint 1121 - 2001 Spartan/Spencer/LTI 75ft – 1500gpm/500gal 1121 is first-due from Station 1100 on all accident and fire calls and seats 6 firefighters. It has a mounted Holmatro extrication set with two 100 foot reels. This truck was in planning stages when 9/11 occurred and members decided to give it the “flag” design in honor of the fallen brothers and sisters of FDNY.


Quint 1121 - 2001 Spartan/Spencer/LTI 75ft – 1500gpm/500gal


Quint 1121 - 2001 Spartan/Spencer/LTI 75ft – 1500gpm/500gal


*Tanker 1144 "Bearcat Pride"* - 1998 Freightliner FL80/Ferrara - 1000gpm/3,000gal** 1144 is equipped with A 10" quick dump valve is located at the rear of the vehicle and a 3,000 gallon porta-tank is carried on the passenger's side of the truck. Twin 1.5" preconnected crosslays are above the pump panel, with a 3" preconnected line in the rear hose bed. A 3" tank refill valve is also located at the rear of the apparatus. The four lower compartments are 28" in depth to allow for equipment storage. Two Scott 4,500 psi SCBA are mounted in the cab, with two additional units mounted in an outside compartment. The unit also carries four spare SCBA cylinders in wheel well compartments. A 35' extension, 14' roof and a ten foot attic ladder are also carried, making this unit a Class A pumper as well as a tanker.


Tanker 1144 - 1000gpm/3000gal


Command 1152 - 2004 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 In 2004, Union Fire-Rescue received two specially equipped Chevy Tahoes (emergency services package) from Whiteside Chevy in Ohio. The graphics were done by Wise Graphics & Design of Union Township. These vehicles were assigned to the Fire Chief and the Deputy Chief. 1152 serves as an incident command center for larger incidents within the township. It is first- out for all medical assists in Union Township. The department had a second, red Chevy Tahoe equipped the same as 1152, but it was totaled when it was hit by a drunk driver and rolled a couple of times while stopped at an intersection. The driver of the unit was uninjured, which reminds everyone that SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES!


Command 1152 - Chevy Tahoe 4x4


Squad 1176 - 2004 Ford F-350 4x4 Grass Rig - 120gpm/300gal Squad 1176 serves as the department's primary brush truck. However, it also responds second-out on medical calls from Station 1100. 1176 is certified BLS non-transport and carries an AED along with various medical supplies.

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1200 – Training Facility – 267 N 600 W, Valparaiso, IN 1200 is home to 4 front line apparatus which includes Engine 1210, Tanker 1245, Squads 1257 and 1273. The station is the home of the department’s state-of-the-art training facility. In the main station, it boasts a training room that will fit 30 firefighters with up-to-date technological equipment. The building across the parking lot includes a state-of-the-art SCBA confidence course. The course is 2 stories high within the one story building, forcing firefighters to stay low. It also includes a class room for debriefing of firefighters of what’s going on inside of the smoke house.

(Not Yet Pictured)
Tanker 1245 -1992 Navistar/KME - 500gpm/3,000gal 1245 is equipped with a 10" rear dump valve. Dual 1.75" preconnected lines are carried above the pump panel, with a 3" preconnected line off the rear of the apparatus. Room for 1,000' of 3" hose is also provided in the bed. A 3,000 gallon porta-tank is carried on the passenger's side of the vehicle with two Scott 4,500 p.s.i. air packs and 4 spare cylinders provided for the crew. This tanker also carries a 35' extension, a 14' roof, and a 10' attic ladder as well as salvage covers, cribbing and extra foam.

Special thanks to Chief Tim Beach, Assistant Chief Ryan Samanas & FF Chad Newsum for their assistance in arranging the apparatus for these pictures and for providing department background and history.