Paoli Fire Department

11/08/2025

Paoli Fire & Rescue would like to thank the folks at New Hope Church and the Scouts for providing breakfast for us. You did a tremendous job. Much appreciated.

11/02/2025

Paoli Fire & Rescue would like to thank the folks of the 1st Baptist Church for inviting us to spend time with them at the event they hosted Saturday evening. Awesome food and fellowship. Appreciated the time we spent with you.

10/29/2025

Not necessarily from the desk of the Padre, but shared. Pardon the French. Thank you Chief Mark Jones for leading our department and dealing with all the Chief…stuff.

“Everybody wants to be the Chief… until it’s time to do Chief sh*t.

You know exactly what I mean.

The title, the badge, the office they all look great from the outside. Everyone wants the influence, the salary, the prestige. But far too many aren’t willing to pay the price that comes with the position.

Because being the Chief isn’t about perks it’s about pain.
It’s not about control it’s about responsibility.

And it’s not about being the smartest person in the room it’s about being the one willing to stand alone when everyone else is silent.

True chiefs don’t chase popularity. They chase principle.

They understand that leadership at that level means sleepless nights, endless pressure, and carrying the weight of every decision even the ones you didn’t make but are responsible for anyway.

Everybody wants to sit in the big chair, but few are ready for the loneliness that comes with it.

Few are willing to risk being misunderstood, criticized, or politically targeted for simply doing what’s right.

I’ve seen chiefs fold because they wanted to keep the job more than they wanted to lead.

They play it safe, protect their image, and start serving politics instead of people.

Let me tell you that’s not leadership. That’s survival. And survival is not the mission.

The real Chief the one worthy of the title makes hard calls that may cost them everything.

They protect their officers first, even when it’s uncomfortable.
They tell the truth, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.
They don’t shift blame. They absorb it.

That’s the job. That’s the burden. And that’s the price.

Leadership at that level means standing in the storm, not watching from shelter.

It means sacrificing comfort, popularity, and sometimes your career for integrity.

So, before anyone starts reaching for the stars or the brass, ask yourself this:

Do you really want the title… or do you want the responsibility that comes with it?

Because the truth is simple —
Everybody wants to be the Chief until it’s time to do Chief sh*t.

And when that time comes, the real ones step forward.
The pretenders step aside.”



Shared from Monty Bynum

10/21/2025

UPDATE: Join us for Trick or Treat at the JayCee Park on Friday, October 31st from 5-8 PM.

10/15/2025

It’s been a while, but from the desk of the Padre…

Life has a way of humbling us as we grow older.

When you’re young, it feels like time is endless; you chase after every argument, every petty win, and material things, thinking it all matters.

You spend energy trying to prove yourself to people who you don’t even respect.

Life with all its challenges has a way of changing our perspective and priorities as we get older.

You start to realize how much time was wasted on grudges that stole your peace, on chasing approval that never needed to be earned, on comparing yourself to others when the only race worth running was your own.

The older you get, the more clearly you see that what matters most is simple: God, family, real friendships, health, purpose, and peace of mind.

You recognize the true value of moments with loved ones, the gift of waking up healthy, the power of gratitude, and the peace that comes from letting go of things that once kept you up at night.

Life humbles you, not to break you, but to remind you: the clock is ticking, and the things that matter most deserve all your attention now.

10/08/2025

Paoli Fire was invited to share fire safety with the Little Rams Preschool today. Thank you for having us! The kiddos were super well behaved!

09/08/2025

The fire department is a family, and an extended family throughout the country. When one community loses a member, we are all at a loss and grieve. Please keep the Celestine VFD and the family of the firefighter in your prayers. - Chaplain Rob Lee ”Padre”

08/10/2025

07/28/2025

Josephus Summers
March 12, 1933 — July 27, 2025
Josephus Summers, 92 years of age of Paoli, passed away Sunday at 4:25 AM, July 27, 2025, at Paoli Health & Living. He was born March 12, 1933, in Alton, IN to Edward and Mary Chanley Summers. He married Catherine Poe Summers on July 12, 1952, and she preceded him in death.
He was a member of the Paoli Christian Church and was very active with the WHAS Crusade for Children. He was a member of the Paoli Volunteer Fire Department and a Red Cross Volunteer.
Joe was owner and operator of Summers Electronics in Paoli.
Preceded in death by parents and Wife, Catherine.
Joe was an avid deer hunter and fisherman.
Survivors Include:
1 Son:
Randy Summers Paoli, IN
3 Daughters:
Susan Jones Paoli, IN
Betty Summers Paoli, IN
Cathy Jo Summers Paoli, IN
5 grandchildren
Several great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to WHAS Crusade for Children or the Paoli First Chance Center.
Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Dillman-Scott Funeral Home, with Pastors Phil Lamaster and Mike Crosley officiating. (Dillman-Scott Funeral Home: 226 W. Campbell St. Paoli, IN 47454).
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Dillman-Scott Funeral Home.
Visitation will also be held from 9:00 AM until the time of Funeral Service on Thursday.
Interment to follow at the Stampers Creek Cemetery.

Online condolences can be made at dillmanscottfuneralhome.com

07/15/2025

Thanks so much to First Chance Center for baking us cookies!