Hail to the Chiefs
One of the most important
changes in fire fighting is the addition of self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA). When Chad joined
the department, there were only six
of these available for the whole department. Now, each firefighter has a
SCBA available, which can be worn in
burning buildings. Entering burning
buildings is a big change for the local
firefighters from the way fires used to
be fought. Chad said, “We never used
to enter a burning building, we would
break the windows and pour water in
from the outside.” Because of changes
in building construction, the firefighters use their SCBA equipment to enter
the building and fight the fire from the
inside.
With the addition of new equipment and changes in building construction, comes the extra training
required for firefighters. Stewart said,
“There has been a huge increase in the
number of hours of training that it
takes to receive your certifications to
become a firefighter. Chad
Chad Miller, Shipshewana Fire Chief
added, “The training has
become much
more intense.”
The chiefs are
responsible for
making sure
that all their
firefighters
are certified
by the state of
Indiana.
Reflecting
on memorable
moments as
chiefs and
Firefighters,
Chad was quick
to mention
the Shipshewana Lake ice
rescue earlier
this year, “It’s
good to save a
building, but
to save a life is
a fire occurs. Both chiefs are prepared
for when firefighters go out of town.
Chad Miller, Shipshewana,
At Stewart’s department in
and Stewart Bender, Topeka,
Topeka, there is a sign board where
became their town’s fire chiefs firefighters write the dates that they
in 2007. With that title came a will be gone. “As far as for me and the
officers on the department, we usugreat deal of responsibility.
ally communicate between all of us to
Chad manages twenty-five firemake sure that there is at least one offighters. One of them is Chad’s built
ficer on call at all times”, said Stewart.
in secretary, his wife Lora, who helps
Chad’s procedure, in Shipshewana,
with the filing of state reports after
is much the same. He emphasizes the
each fire and billing. Stewart has thirty importance of modern communication
firefighters and two chaplains on his
equipment to stay in touch with his
department.
officers and firefighters.
Fortunately, both chiefs are supCommunication equipment has
ported by a good staff. Chad likes to
changed since Chad and Stewart first
delegate responsibility to his assistant became firefighers.
chief and captains so that if he can’t
Stewart was responsible for writmake it to the fire scene they know
ing a regional grant which allowed all
how to take command of the situation. the fire departments in the county to
Many times Chad joins in fighting the
receive 800 MHz radios from FEMA
fire while his officers gain valuable ex- (Federal Emergency Management
perience running the fire scene itself.
Agency). With the new radios they are
With volunteer fire departments,
able to communicate with others as far
Shipshewana and Topeka depend on
away as Fort Wayne.
those volunteers being available when
by Jerry Hostetler
Stewart Bender, Topeka Fire Chief
pg 18 · The Hometown Treasure · Jan. ‘12