GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT)- Several people are voicing concerns after the Fort Branch Fire Union Township Fire Department did not respond to a page about a fire this morning.
The fire happened at Flying J along 844 East in Gibson County a little after 8:30. Officials say a light fixture over a drink station caught fire. This comes less than 24 hours after volunteer firefighters fought a large fire near Owensville.
The fire happened Monday afternoon near 8976 South and 1125 West. It started as a shed fire and spread to a home, car, and field. The homeowner says he did not want to appear on camera, and adds there was not much left to save from the fire.
The fire is under investigation by the Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office. Several departments responded, including the Fort Branch Union Township Fire Department. Michael Austin is the department’s training officer and describes the response as a hodgepodge of firefighters.
“We only had two of our members available to go to it. and that is the same for all of the departments. I mean, Owensville only had a couple of people. Haubstadt had a couple, and Smith Township had a couple,” Austin says.
Austin says manpower is a big issue for the fire department, especially during the daytime. He says the department is a 100% volunteer fire department and 99% of their members work during the weekdays.
“Here lately, it has been hard to find volunteers. Not a lot of the newer generation want to volunteer as much. We do pay to go on calls. We pay for events, and we pay for all of that kind of stuff. We ask you to show up once a month or twice a month for training,” Austin says.
Austin says the department pays for all training and to be certified. Those interested can come to the department’s Wednesday training sessions, or message the department’s Facebook page for more information.,
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