West Central Fire Protection District news & events
Meet your local first responders!
Visit our fire stations, see our fire trucks & ambulances, learn about our lifesaving work, and discover how your tax dollars support our vital services.
Visit us at 11329 Railroad Street, Arcola on October 23rd at 6:30 PM
OR
Visit us at 11321 Aboite Center Rd, Ft Wayne on October 30th at 6:30 PM
WCFD enters scoping phase
The WCFD Board has approved entering into a scoping agreement with BW Development, the developer selected from the responses to the RFP for a new fire station. The scoping agreement can be viewed here.
WCFD revises plans for new station, considers other options
On August 8, 2024, WCFD presented a request for construction funding to Allen County Council. Reasons for the new station include a growing population, which will lead to an increase in crew size, and the condition of the two existing stations. Council requested more information, including costs of renovations at existing stations. WCFD will go back to Council on September 11 to provide updates.
West Central Fire Department reveals plans for new station
On August 7, 2024, the West Central Fire District announced plans to construct a new fire station on Bass Road. This proposed new station will greatly enhance the abilities of WCFD to continue providing fast, reliable emergency services to our residents.
Several local new agencies reported:
local kindergarteners visit station
On May 16, the amazing kindergarten classes from Haverhill Elementary School visited our fire station, and it was a blast!
The kids were able to see an ambulance, explore a real fire truck, climb inside (with firefighter help, of course!), and learn all about the equipment firefighters and medics use to keep us safe.
We talked about fire safety rules, like "Stop, Drop, and Roll," and the importance of knowing when to call 911. The kids were full of questions, and our firefighters and medics were happy to answer every single one.
It was a fantastic day filled with learning, excitement, and maybe even a few future firefighter dreams! A big thank you to the wonderful teachers and parent chaperones from Haverhill for organizing the trip, and to our incredible firefighters and medics for sharing their knowledge and passion with these curious minds.
county growth creates need for full time fire districts
According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, " While volunteerism may have made economic sense decades ago, the current population density growth and scarcity of volunteers necessitated a move away from the volunteer fire department model. " Population growth in areas of Allen County, such as Perry and Aboite Townships, has led to the need for full-time firefighting and emergency medical services.
Click here to read more.
WCFD + HHS SADD Group work together for psa
The Homestead High School chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) invited West Central Fire Protection District to participate in the creation of their PSA video to show the dangers of drunk driving. The SADD students created the script, played the role of crash victims and filmed, while the WCFD first responders had an opportunity for training and the SACS School Resource Officer conducted a field sobriety test on the driver. A special thanks to Tammy's Towing for providing the vehicles to use for this project. The SADD film crew has posted their video to YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31DRdbNmc6c
Click here to see news story from WPTA-TV
free CPR Class april 27
Free CPR class for the public.
You can save a life by learning how to perform CPR. These courses are Free to the public & are taught by a certified instructors who will guide you through the proper techniques of CPR on a manikin. The classes are free, but space is limited.
Saturday April 27th 2024 at 2pm.
Please register by calling 260.436.1449 or emailing Barb Stelzer bstelzer@wcfd.us
Note: This is not a certified CPR course. (You will have the option to get a certification.)
Course will be held at the West Central Fire Protection District 11329 Railroad St, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 (Arcola)
WCFD - Improved Response Times After Tax Increase
Residents of unincorporated Aboite Township and Lake Township can expect faster response times from emergency services thanks to the creation of the West Central Fire District.
Every second counts in a crisis; the new fire district and the funding that supports it will directly translate to faster response times and improved outcomes for our community.
The additional funding is being used to staff two fire stations with full time, 24/7 firefighters and paramedics, allowing faster deployment to emergencies.
We understand that any tax increase can be a burden. However, the WCFD believes this investment is essential for the safety and well-being of our community. The property tax increase is more than initially predicted largely due to a significant expansion of the coverage area served by WCFD. The larger coverage area necessitated a second fire station and staffing for that station.
The WCFD is committed to transparency and accountability. Information on how these funds are being used can be found on the Gateway Indiana web site.
Investing in public safety is an investment in our future. By ensuring our first responders have the tools and resources they need, we are creating a safer and more secure community for everyone.
board approves land purchase
At a meeting on March 27, the Board of Trustees approved an expenditure of $10,000 to secure land on Bass Road to construct a new fire station. For a news story from WANE TV click here.
run numbers
WCFD Begins operations
On January 1, 2024, West Central Allen County Fire Protection District officially began operations to serve the residents of Lake Township and unincorporated Aboite Township. Residents will now be protected with 24/7 fire and paramedic services from two fire stations, one in Aboite Township and one in Arcola, Lake Township. WPTA TV covered this exciting news - click here to see the story.