Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department

02/01/2026

Please, be like Bill! — in USA.

We need more people like Bill

01/29/2026

Here is a little bit of department history:

This is the original/ first firetruck for Posey Township. It was a 1937 Chevy. One of our original members, Frank Peebles picked it up and is pictured in front of the truck.

According to the information we have, the picture was taken in 1958 or 1959 and the truck was bought for $1,000.

We want to thank Frank’s granddaughter, Piper German for submitting this picture.

01/25/2026

CLAY COUNTY, INDIANA
**LOCAL DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATION

FOR TRAVEL ADVISORY WARNING**

Date: January 25, 2026

AUTHORITY
Whereas, Clay County, Indiana has been impacted by or is immediately threatened by extreme winter weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, dangerously low temperatures, and hazardous driving conditions; and
Whereas, winter weather occurring during the period of January 24th – 26th, 2026, has resulted and is expected to continue to result in significant snow accumulation, drifting, reduced visibility, icy roadways, and bitter cold temperatures, creating conditions that pose a significant risk to public safety and substantially impair travel throughout Clay County; and
Whereas, these conditions disrupt emergency response, limit access to essential services, increase the likelihood of vehicle crashes and stranded motorists, and require significant time and resources to clear roadways and restore safe travel conditions;

DECLARATION

Now, therefore, we, the Clay County Board of Commissioners, pursuant to Indiana Code 10-14-3-29, hereby declare that a local disaster emergency exists in Clay County, Indiana, effective immediately, and continuing for a period not to exceed seven (7) days, unless extended in accordance with state law.
This Declaration invokes all applicable provisions of the Indiana Code necessary for the exercise of emergency powers to protect life and property and to facilitate the prompt restoration of local government services.

TRAVEL ADVISORY WARNING
Pursuant to Indiana Code 10-14-3-29.5, Clay County is placed under a Travel Advisory Warning (RED), the highest level of local travel advisory.

During a Travel Advisory Warning:
Travel may be restricted to emergency management workers and emergency personnel only, as defined in Indiana Code 10-14-3-3.
All citizens are called upon and directed to refrain from all non-essential travel.

All persons shall comply with necessary emergency measures, cooperate with public officials and disaster service forces, and obey lawful directions of properly identified officers.

Vehicles parked or abandoned on public roadways may be subject to removal to facilitate snow removal and emergency response operations.

EFFECT OF THIS DECLARATION
The effect of this Declaration is to:
Activate the response and recovery aspects of all applicable Clay County emergency and disaster response plans.

Authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance under those plans.
Designate all public officers and employees of Clay County as emergency management workers for the duration of this emergency, while directing them to limit travel to that which is essential to the performance of public safety and essential services.

In accordance with IC 10-14-3-29(d), this Declaration does not prohibit individuals engaged in employment necessary to maintain a safe rail system, restore public utilities, or provide other essential emergency public services from traveling within the County during this local disaster emergency.

COORDINATION AND PUBLIC NOTICE

This Declaration shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed with the Clay County Clerk.

SIGNATURES
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 25th day of January, 2026.
Clay County Board of Commissioners
President Marty Heffner Marty Heffner
Member Bryan Allender Bryan Allender

01/18/2026

🔥 STAGES OF FIRE: WHY EVERY SECOND MATTERS 🔥

Fire does not become deadly all at once—it develops in stages. Understanding these stages is critical for firefighters, responders, and even the public because fire behavior changes rapidly as heat, smoke, and gases build up. What starts as a small flame can turn into a life-threatening environment within minutes.

1️⃣ Ignition (Incipient) Stage

This is the moment a fire starts. A heat source ignites a fuel, and there is plenty of oxygen available. Flames are small, smoke is light, and heat release is minimal. At this stage, the fire is usually confined to the item first ignited and is easiest to control—if detected early.

2️⃣ Growth Stage

As the fire spreads, temperature rises and smoke production increases. Hot gases move upward, forming a thickening smoke layer along the ceiling, while oxygen levels begin to drop. Nearby combustibles start to ignite through radiant heat. Conditions worsen quickly, and the risk of flashover increases with every second.

3️⃣ Flashover (Transition Phase)

Flashover is a sudden and violent transition, not a controlled stage. Radiant heat causes almost all exposed combustibles in the room to ignite nearly at the same time. Visibility drops to near zero, heat becomes unsurvivable, and survival without protection is extremely unlikely. Flashover is a clear warning that conditions have become immediately life-threatening.

⸻

4️⃣ Fully Developed Stage

At this point, the fire reaches its maximum intensity. All available fuel is burning, and heat release is at its peak. The fire becomes ventilation-limited, meaning the size and intensity depend on how much air enters the structure. Toxic gases and extreme heat can extend beyond the original fire area, endangering adjacent spaces and structures.

5️⃣ Decay Stage

The fire begins to diminish as fuel or oxygen is depleted. Flames may reduce, but temperatures can remain dangerously high. This stage is especially hazardous due to the risk of backdraft—a sudden explosive ignition that can occur if fresh oxygen is introduced into a hot, oxygen-depleted space.

🚒
Understanding the stages of fire helps firefighters read conditions, make safer tactical decisions, and protect lives. For the public, early detection, quick reporting, and fast evacuation can mean the difference between a small fire and a deadly incident.

🔥 Fire grows fast. Knowledge saves lives.

01/17/2026

Happy Birthday to Benjamin Franklin (born January 17, 1706), the father of the American fire service!

Founded in Philadelphia in 1736, the Union Fire Company was the first formally organized volunteer fire company in the American colonies and was established with the help of Benjamin Franklin after he advocated for organized fire protection in the Pennsylvania Gazette. Unlike earlier fire societies that focused mainly on protecting members’ property, the Union Fire Company committed to responding to fires anywhere in the community, with members supplying their own equipment such as leather buckets and salvage bags. The company operated under written articles of agreement, enforced attendance and equipment standards, and helped set the foundation for the organized volunteer fire service model that later influenced municipal fire departments across the United States.

01/12/2026

The Board of Fire Trustees of the Posey Township Clay County Fire Protection District will meet Monday, January 19, 2026 at 6pm at the Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department fire house located at 503 E Columbus St. Staunton, IN 47881.

The meeting is open to the general public.

01/08/2026

01/08/2026

Our department will be hosting an EMR class beginning in March and ending in April. Classes will be on Saturday and Sunday, alternating every other weekend.

Cost of the class is $275 and MUST be paid by the first day of class or on the first day of class. The fee does include the textbook.

For anyone needing CPR, that will be conducted during class for a small additional fee for those who need it.

We are looking for at least 8 to 10 students and you must be at least 14 years of age.

For any questions, contact Chief Cody Barnard or email: poseyvolfire@gmail.com.

01/06/2026

Congratulations to Firefighter Jaxson Rodgers on successfully passing his National Registry and is now a certified EMT-B. (Emergency Medical Technician-Basic)

01/05/2026

Understanding Volunteer Firefighters

Who They Are. What They Do. Why They Matter.
Across the United States, the majority of fire departments are volunteer or mostly volunteer. In many rural and small-town communities, volunteer firefighters are the only line of defense when emergencies happen.
What “Volunteer Firefighter” Really Means

A volunteer firefighter is not “untrained” or “part-time” in skill. The word volunteer simply means they are not salaried.

Most volunteer firefighters:
Hold the same state and national certifications as career firefighters
Complete hundreds of hours of initial training
Participate in ongoing drills, classes, and continuing education
Respond to emergencies 24/7, often from home or work.

They balance emergency response with full-time jobs, families, and community responsibilities.

What Volunteer Firefighters Respond To
Volunteer firefighters respond to far more than just fires, including:
Structure fires (homes, businesses, farms)
Vehicle accidents and extrications
Medical emergencies and first response
Wildland and grass fires
Hazardous conditions and fuel spills
Severe weather incidents
Rescue operations
Public service and safety calls

In many communities, volunteer departments provide fire protection, rescue services, and first medical response—often all at once.
Training & Standards
Volunteer firefighters are held to the same safety and operational standards as career departments.
Training includes:
Fire behavior and suppression
Search and rescue techniques
Vehicle extrication
EMS and CPR
Hazardous materials awareness
Incident command and scene safety
PPE and SCBA operations
This training is completed on nights, weekends, and personal time, without pay.

Equipment & Funding
Most volunteer fire departments:
Rely on local taxes, grants, and donations
Conduct fundraisers to purchase equipment
Maintain apparatus that must meet strict safety standards
Stretch limited budgets to cover gear, fuel, insurance, and training
Many volunteers personally invest in their department—both financially and emotionally.

The Personal Sacrifice
When the tones drop, a volunteer firefighter may be:
Leaving work
Leaving a family dinner
Leaving a holiday
Waking up in the middle of the night
Walking away from their own safety and comfort
There is no paycheck waiting at the end of the call—only the knowledge that someone needed help, and they answered.
Why Volunteer Firefighters Matter
Without volunteer firefighters:
Emergency response times would increase
Rural communities would be left unprotected
Insurance costs would rise
Lives, homes, and livelihoods would be at greater risk
Volunteer firefighters protect communities that would otherwise have no protection at all.
Respect, Support, and Awareness
Supporting volunteer firefighters doesn’t always mean joining the department. It can include:
Understanding the time and sacrifice involved
Supporting local fire levies and funding
Donating or participating in fundraisers
Showing patience at emergency scenes
Teaching children respect for first responders
Simply saying thank you
Final Thought
Volunteer firefighters are ordinary people who do extraordinary things—without recognition, without compensation, and often without enough resources.
They are your neighbors.
Your coworkers.
Your friends.
Your family.
And when you need them most, they show up.

01/05/2026

Congratulations to firefighter Kaleb Walker on successfully passing and becoming certified in Ice Rescue, ops and tech.

01/03/2026

2025 was a record breaking year for our department as we not only set a new yearly record but we also broke the monthly record as well.

We finished the year with 610 calls for service breaking the old record of 529 set in 2020. We also set a new monthly record with 66 calls for service in April beating the old record of 57 set back in October 2023.

Monthly totals for 2025 are as follows:
January - 63
February - 48
March - 65
April - 66
May - 44
June - 43
July - 39
August - 40
September - 48
October - 58
November - 57
December - 39

Our average monthly calls were 51.

Here is a Year In Review by the Numbers.
Time of Day:
06:00 - 14:00 (232) - 38%
14:00 - 22:00 (272) - 45%
22:00 - 06:00 (106) 17%

Types of Calls:
Medical: 316
Structure Fires: 14
Vehicle Fires: 10
Brush/Grass: 21
Illegal Burning: 12
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 56
Public Assistance: 64
Mutual Aid Outside County: 5
Mutual Aid Inside County: 12
Traffic Control: 1
Ambulance Driver Needed: 11
Canceled While Responding: 59
Dispatched w/o Response: 29