09/13/2025
Just a quick update on what's been happening the past couple of weeks, and it has been a busy time.
As most of you may or may not know, as of 15 September 2025, Tolu FD will complete a merger with Sheridan FD. Sheridan is a small department that struggles with membership, updating equipment, etc.
So, after some research on the board of directors’ part, they chose Tolu. This made sense in a lot of ways. First, the two departments’ districts shared a border on 297/723 as well as 1668. This gives Tolu quick access to the district in case of emergencies. Second, many of the additional members of Sheridan FD were already members of Tolu FD, this adds an additional level of response for emergencies as our members will be able to respond to their closest station and get apparatus, equipment and manpower enroute faster. Sheridan received a grant for a 2000 gallon engine/tanker that will continue to reside at the Sheridan station. This additional water capacity will assist the Tolu department in any incidents in their district. Being able to roll an additional apparatus from Tolu to the Sheridan district will also allow for additional pumping capacity on an incident that could tie up both of Sheridan station’s apparatus.
So what does this mean for both districts now that the departments have merged? For the residents of Tolu and surrounding areas, you may be seeing a few new faces when we respond to calls as well as some different equipment. Many may ask, what is this going to cost the current residents of the Tolu area? Not a thing! With the mergers approved by the Fire Commission, two separate stations will be maintained, however, the State Aid from the Fire Commission will still be received by both entities. This will ensure that operating budgets will remain the same and monies will still be there to support each individual station.
While this may not sound like it will be helpful at first, there are many bonuses. As mentioned, we will now be able to draw on more manpower and resources at Tolu in the case of an emergency and vice versa for the Sheridan district.
For many years the Sheridan district was rated as a "9" under the ISO (Insurance Services Office) system. ISO rates communities on a scale of "1 - 10" with one being the best on how well-prepared a community is for fires. Tolu fire district is currently rated at a "4". Nationally only 57% of fire districts are rated at a "5" or better. So bottom line, with this merger, extra manpower and equipment, Sheridan district has been raised to a "4"!! In the long run, this could mean good news for home and property owners in the district by bringing their insurance premiums down.
Merging the two departments will help us both to put more money toward upgrading apparatus and equipment. We have plans to upgrade at least 1 truck in the coming months as well as updating some of the equipment that has seen better days.
While the post is long, there was a lot to update our citizens on, but please keep an eye out and we'll try our best to keep you in the community updated on future events.
For those who follow the Sheridan VFD page, we invite you to join and follow the Tolu VFD page for future updates.
