EVENTS

---

We'd like to congratulate Firefighter Courtney Smith on passing her IDHS EMT practicals today!

FF Smith began the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) Course at the Leffler Academy in Gas City on February 15th with Instructor Karen Stephenson. Since she has successfully completed both the Leffler examination and practical examination, FF Smith will proceed to take her national registry test to obtain certification.

Please join us in congratulating FF Smith and wishing her luck as she proceeds in her professional development!

Center Township Firefighter Nick Woodruff has successfully completed the National Registry program and has been officially certified as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Firefighter Woodruff enrolled in the Leffler Academy NREMT Program in October, 2021 and joined two of his classmates on the list of those who certified in the program. 

This certification adds FF/Woodruff to the list of Active EMT's on the department. Please join us as we congratulate Nick on this milestone achievement!

Please join us in welcoming our newest member, Brandon Yeakle (Marion). Firefighter Yeakle comes to us from the Oak Grove Fire Department in Kentucky and has recently been appointed as our newest Probationary Firefighter.  

Firefighter Yeakle will be on probationary status for one (1) year while he receives the training and experience needed to become a successful firefighter.

 Please join us in bidding farewell to CTFD Chief Fire Investigator Jeremy Herring. Investigator Herring spent the last 5yrs with the CTFD obtaining the ranks of Captain, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Chief, Training Officer, and Chief Fire Investigator.  Investigator Herring is continuing his Fire service with our neighbors at the Upland Fire Department.

Best of luck, brother and thank you for all you've done in the time you've been here! You will be missed! 

 On Tuesday, February 1, 2022 the Center Township Fire Department Membership unanimously voted for recent applicant Courtney Smith (Marion, IN) to be tentatively added to the active roster. Firefighter Smith comes to CTFD already having her Firefighter I/II certifications, HAZMAT Awareness/HAZMAT Ops certifications, and several years of previous fire service under her belt. Firefighter Smith's official one year probationary period begins on February 6, 2022 upon final approval from the CTFD Board of Directors.  

Please join us in welcoming Firefighter Courtney Smith to the CTFD Family! 

On Friday, January 28, 2022 the Center Township Fire Department took delivery of our new 2021 Toyne Pumper with a Spartan Chassis courtesy of Donley Fire & Safety representative Jeff Murray. We'd like to credit our Township Trustee Bryce Coryea and his Board of Director's for agreeing to purchase the new apparatus. The engine will replace our 1997 E-One Cyclone (Rescue-12) of which is currently pending sale to the Carthage Fire Department in Southern Indiana. 

The graphics were done by the Parchment Department - PD graphic design, of whom partnered with Sky High Graphix LLC out of Fort Wayne who completed the lettering and decal application. Members have been tirelessly working to get the new apparatus up and going to be put in service.

We'd also like to thank Swayzee Volunteer Fire Department members Seth Marden and Tyler Bundrick for back lighting our Q siren!

 Matt Johnson with Indiana 5-Alarm (MacQueen Emergency) took time to introduce the department to our new Hurst Tools. Mr. Johnson gave a block of instruction to our members with the Jaws of Life cutter and spreader tools. Members were shown the new advances of the tools and provided with beneficial information to help better serve our township and its citizens! 

Additionally, we'd like to thank Kenny Wisehart, also with Indiana 5-Alarm (MacQueen Emergency), for performing flow testing of our SCBA masks. Kenny is also a firefighter with the Center Township Fire Department and has been a true asset to the department!

  As we enter 2022, Center Township's newly elected Fire Chief Rob Columbus has announced his officer and command staff positions, as well as a newly appointed support position.

Pictured in this post is the newly appointed Deputy Fire Chief, Geoff Kennaugh who has numerous years as a Captain in the Fire Service.  Jeremy Herring, last year's Fire Chief, maintains his tenure as the Chief Fire Investigator for the department. 

Additionally, newly appointed Captains include Mark Foy, SR, and James Anderson, with Jason Love maintaining his previously held position as Captain. One previous Safety Officer position remained the same with Charles Treon staying appointed, and Aaron Smith was newly appointed for the second Safety Officer position. 

The new support position announced by Chief Columbus has been identified as the Department’s Public Information Officer, and this position was given to Nick Woodruff.

 Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Center Township Fire Department, Lucas Rupp. 

Probationary Firefighter Rupp is a recent graduate of Taylor University and majored in Communications. Lucas will be a Probationary Firefighter for 1-year, during which time he'll undergo extensive training to become certified in Hazardous Materials, Essentials of Firefighting, and is anticipated to obtain a CPR/AED certification, HAZMAT Awareness and HAZMAT Operations certifications, as well Firefighter I and Firefighter II.