frequently asked questions

In 2022, the Allen County Commissioners saw a need for faster emergency medical and fire services in the outlying areas of Allen County.  As the area's population has grown and volunteerism in the fire service has diminished, residents in these areas were left vunerable in emergency situations.  This led the Commissioners to create the West Central Fire District to provide 24/7 fire and EMS service to the residents of Lake Township and the unincorporated areas of Aboite Township.

WCFD officially began 24/7/365 ambulance and fire service on January 1, 2024

WCFD covers the portions of Aboite Township that are outside the Fort Wayne city limits and all of Lake Township.  Specific run numbers from the Lake Township station can be found here.

The money received from property taxes pays for the many expenses incurred in operating two full-time fire stations, including personnel, insurance, fire truck and ambulance fuel & maintenance, medical supplies for the ambulance, protective gear for the firefighters,  annual equipment testing, training, and communications equipment.

WCFD employees 31 full-time employees, including the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Assistant EMS Chief, Fire Marshal, 11 Paramedic/Firefirefighter, 2 Advanced EMT/Firefighters, and 14 EMT/Firefighters.  There are also approximately 30 part time employees who work for WCFD.  The majority of employees serve dual roles as both firefighter and medic.

Yes, response times have improved significantly with full-time, 24 hour crews on duty.  Prior to January 1, 2024, residents in Aboite Township were reliant upon volunteer firefighters at night and on weekends, while Lake Township residents were reliant on volunteers 24/7.  Additionally, there was one full time ambulance crew serving Aboite Township and Lake Township relied on TRAA for ambulance service.  The transition to full time crews means a fire truck can be on the way to an emergency within 90 seconds of receiving the 911 dispatch; the ambulance crews can get out within 60 seconds and there are now three full time, paramedic level ambulance crews on duty 24/7. 

 EMTs receive basic training, typically around 150-170 hours, covering topics like CPR, first aid, and basic patient assessment. They are equipped to handle common emergencies, such as bleeding control, splinting fractures, and administering basic medications. 

Paramedics, on the other hand, undergo more extensive training, typically 1,200-1,800 hours. This additional training allows them to perform more advanced procedures, including: 

• Intravenous (IV) therapy: Administering medications and fluids directly into the bloodstream.  
• Advanced airway management: Inserting breathing tubes to assist with breathing.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation: Diagnosing heart conditions. 
• Defibrillation: Using electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.
• Medication administration: Administering a wider range of medications, including those for cardiac conditions and respiratory emergencies.

In essence, EMTs provide essential initial care, while Paramedics are equipped to handle more complex medical emergencies and provide advanced life support. 1 

 Fire trucks often respond to medical emergencies for several reasons:

1. Rapid Response: If the ambulance crew is coming from the scene of a previous emergency, the fire truck's crew can reach second emergency scenes more quickly, begin assessing and treating the patient, potentially saving lives.
2. Trained Personnel: Firefighters at WCFD are also medics, and our fire trucks are certified to provide Advance Life Support.
3. Community Safety: By responding to medical emergencies, fire departments demonstrate their commitment to the overall safety and well-being of the community.

In short, fire trucks are a valuable asset in responding to medical emergencies, providing rapid response, specialized equipment, and trained personnel to ensure the best possible outcome for patients.

WCFD currently operates from two fire stations: one on Aboite Center Road next to Homestead High School and one in Arcola,  Both of these stations,  were built to accommodate volunteer crews, which means that space for live in crews is limited.  For example, there is only one women's restroom at the Aboite station and the 200 sf bunk room must accommodate sleeping for 4 crew members.  While our crews have grown accustomed to the cozy quarters, the small size of the stations will not allow for future growth in manpower that will be needed to serve our growing population.  We are planning for the future to ensure we continue to provide the highest level of emergency services possible.

 The Arcola fire station was built in the late 1950s and the Aboite fire station was built in the early 1980s.  The age of these buildings leads to the  consideration of whether or not they may  be suitable for renovation: 

• Structural Integrity: Over time, buildings can develop structural issues such as weakened foundations, deteriorating walls, or roof damage. These problems can be costly and difficult to address, especially if the building is not up to modern safety standards.
• Outdated Design: Fire stations are designed to meet specific functional needs, such as providing adequate space for fire trucks, equipment, and personnel. Older stations may not have been designed to accommodate modern firefighting vehicles or equipment, which can be larger and more complex.
• Safety Concerns: Older buildings may have safety hazards such as outdated electrical systems, inadequate ventilation, or lack of fire suppression systems. These hazards can pose a risk to firefighters and the community.
• Efficiency: Renovating an old building can be time-consuming and disruptive to operations. The process may involve temporary relocation of equipment and personnel, and the resulting station may not be as efficient or functional as a new building.
• Cost: Renovating an old building can be expensive, especially if extensive repairs or upgrades are needed. The cost may outweigh the benefits of renovating, particularly if a new station can be built at a comparable cost.

In some cases, it may be more cost-effective and efficient to build a new fire station rather than renovating an old one.  This decision will depend on a variety of factors, including the condition of the existing building, the needs of the community, and the available budget.  A decision will be made after all possibilities have been studied and research by industry experts.

There are multiple reasons why the site on Bass Road is being considered for the new fire station:

• The selected location site located in the center of the area that WCFD covers
• There is significant residential development along Bass Road, with an expected 2000 homes planned or already built.
• Available land has proven challenging to find.  We have approached residents who own land in good locations but they aren't interested in selling off only 5 acres of their property.
• A large number of 911 calls we answer are in this area and the population is continuing to grow, which will lead to increased 911 calls in this area.

In 2024 the sole source of revenue to support the operations of WCFD is coming from property taxes.  In 2025 WCFD will also receive funding from Local Income Taxes, which means that we will need less funding from property taxes.  For this reason, the construction of a new fire station is not anticipated to have an impact on property taxes.

  Because the firefighters work a 24-hour shift, they eat and sleep at the fire station. The firefighters pay for all of their own food, and sometimes bring food from home. Occasionally they need to go to the store, but they are still on duty. They do not have the freedom to go anywhere alone because they are in constant emergency response mode, and must stay together with their team and their apparatus -- ready to move out at a moment's notice. If you pay close attention, you'll notice that they are carrying emergency pagers and radios. Sometimes they get a call and have to leave their items as they quickly move out toward the emergency.

 Contact West Central Fire Protection District to inquire about volunteer opportunities and the application process. 

The most common causes of fires are cooking accidents, heating appliances, electrical malfunction, smoking, and candles.

Call 911 immediately and provide the location and size of the fire if possible.

 Create and practice a home fire escape plan with your family. Ensure that smoke detectors are installed and working properly, and keep a fire extinguisher on hand. 

 Ensure that smoke detectors are installed and working, avoid using flammable liquids indoors, and be cautious when cooking. 

 A multipurpose ABC fire extinguisher is recommended for home use. 

Leave the building immediately and call West Central Fire Protection District at 911.

If you're trapped in a burning building, try to stay as low to the ground as possible to avoid smoke inhalation. If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth or clothing. Call 911 immediately to let them know where you are, and wait for them to rescue you.