Chief : Jim Mossburg
Asst Chief: Rick Asher
In 1899, the town of Markle made provisions for a Fire Department, paying one
man $6.00 a year to direct volunteers at a fire. The equipment used was an old
horse cart, equipped with 100 feet of garden hose.
In 1905, the town bought a single cylinder compression pump on a cart. A
bucket brigade fed water to the pump, which was pulled by hand.
There were approximately twenty men that answered the fire bell. The men were
all volunteers, getting little if any pay for the fires they attended.
There was no real organization until 1924, when the Department wrote and adopted
it's first constitution.
That same year the Department joined the Northern Indiana Industrial and volunteer
Firemen's Association. They were also a member of the Indiana Fireman Association.
At that time , the Department consisted of ten active members.
All members were to be approved by the Town Board of Markle.
In 1928, the Department purchased it's first truck, a Model A Ford.
In 1941, the Department added five more members to the active list, also the same
year they added a 1941 Ford.
In 1953, the town bought an International truck for use within the city limits. The
for truck was used as a country truck.
In 1957, the townships covered by the Department, bought a 1957 Chevrolet truck. From then on, the old Ford was used as a Water Wagon shuttling
water to the scend of a rural fire One more man was added to the active list,
bringing the total to sixteen
Today the Department covers the Town of Markle, and four townships, Union, Rockcreek, townships county in Huntington county and Union and Rockcreek in Wells county.
We have added a 1944 Jeep with a 250 gallon tank, which we use for grass fires.
If you attended the State Convention you have probably seen our little jewel
demonstrated. The Department also maintains and mans the Emergency Unit bought
by the town in 1967. All members of the Fire Department have taken a first aid course.
We have purchased a portable saw for the Unit to be used in cutting accident victims
from wreckage. The Department is also in the process of buying a heart lung machine with
electric shock device for heart patients. The Markle Emergency Unit is the best equipped
Unit around.
In 1970, the Department received a new Dodge truck for rural use. It is capable of
pumping 500 gallons of water per minute and carries 1000 gallons of water.
In 1982, a new station was built.
In 1998, the Department is expanding the building by adding 2 more bays.
The Department presently has 20 firemen.
2 Pumpers
1 Tanker
1 Grass Rig
1 Rescue Truck
The Ems, which was started in 1967 has 10 Certified EMT's on call 24 hrs a day.
The unit presently has 1996 Type III Ambulance with AED( Auto External
Defibulator)
Meeting time and date: The fire dept members meet the second Wednesday of the month.
Chief: Mike Benson
Assistant Chief: Brent Ormsby
established in 1967 and has grown to 10 Certified active members ..
EQUIPMENT 1996 Type III Ambulance
SERVICE AREA.... 144 sq miles 2 counties and four townships