The department was formed in 1952 Chartered from the Indiana Volunteer Fireman’s Association (IVFA) in 1955. The Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department (WTVFD) is located in Whitley County, Indiana. We protect 36 square miles in the South central portion of Whitley County. Our coverage area is primarily agricultural and rural residential, therefore we only average approximately 55 to 65 runs per year. Included in these responses are fires, vehicle accidents, assistance to the Whitley County EMS crews, weather spotting, and public assistance calls. Even though we are a small department with a low run volume we strive to provide our residents with the same level of emergency services that a larger department would provide.

As with most rural departments, the department began with a group of local residents to provide local fire protection to the township. The department remained responding only to fires until 1996. The department then had enough first responder trained members to begin responding to assist the EMS crews. Then in 1998 the department purchased its own rescue tools and began responding to vehicle accidents. The improvements and expansion has continued to this day. Since 1998 the department has expanded from 3 apparatus to 6, and added on 3 additional bays to the station to accommodate the additional trucks. The department has also greatly expanded its training program, with all members meeting the state minimum requirements, and most members taking advanced trainings such as, Firefighter I/II, Fire Instructor, Fire Officer Strategy and Tactics, Hazardous Materials, Fire Investigator, Emergency Vehicle Operations, and the National Incident Management System.