Fire Department

Words From the Chief

"I am humbled to be the leader of a well-trained and dedicated group of firefighters who put themselves on the line every day. Our focus is on the community that we so proudly serve. Our promise to the citizens of Greencastle is to remain mission-focused and prepared for any emergency." - Chief Frank

History of the Greencastle Fire Department

In 1869, after a large fire in Crawfordsville, the city of Greencastle wrote an ordinance to purchase fire equipment. The equipment consisted of buckets, ladders, and hooks. The equipment was kept in several different locations around the city. After a large fire in 1874 that destroyed half of the city, the city formed a fire department and purchased its first steam engine. In 1876, the City Council hired the department's first Fire Chief (George Blake), Engineer (C. Cawley), and Driver (W.H. Nelson). There were several locations for firehouses over the years, but the mainstay was built in 1892 on the corner of Indiana Street and Walnut Street. This station remained the home of the department for 86 years. A new station was built just a block away in 1978, and that station remains the home of the Greencastle Fire Department today.

Today, the Greencastle Fire Department is an all-hazards department that responds to over 1600 calls for service per year. We employ 17 full-time firefighters and EMTs who protect the 36 square miles that makes up Greencastle and Greencastle Township. Our highly trained team protects over 13,000 residents and visitors twenty-four hours a day. The department currently houses 1 EMS response truck, 1 rescue, 2 engines, 1 brush truck, and 1 aerial platform.

Department's Core Values

• Honor: We serve with integrity and act with unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, fostering trust through selfless service. 
• Accountability: We take personal and collective responsibility for our actions and decisions to ensure the safety of our community while actively supporting the growth and performance of our members. 
• Compassion: We understand and support individuals, community partners, and our fellow employees with respect and empathy. 

 About Chief Frank

Chief Frank is a 19-year fire service veteran. He started his career as a volunteer, working at Poland and Fillmore Fire Departments before joining Greencastle as a reserve in 2008. He was hired as a full-time firefighter in 2012. Over the years, he has worked his way through the ranks, being appointed to the Fire Chief's position in January of 2024. He has numerous fire certifications, is an EMT, has an associate's degree in Fire Science, and has been a Fire Instructor for the State of Indiana for over ten years. He was named the department's Firefighter of the Year in 2013 and Fire Officer of the Year in 2014 and 2018. In 2023, he was part of a team of Greencastle firefighters who received the Heroic Rescue of the Year award from the Indiana Fire Chiefs' Association.