Rensselaer Vol. Fire Department

10/31/2026

🚒 RENSSELAER FIRE DEPARTMENT – BOTTLED WATER DONATIONS 🚒

💧 Our bottled water supply is beginning to run low!

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’ve been fortunate to receive bottled water donations in the past to help keep our firefighters hydrated during emergency incidents and training.

As our supply begins to run low, we’re once again reaching out to anyone who might be willing to help.

If you or your business would like to donate a case or two of bottled water, we would certainly appreciate it!

📍 Donations can be dropped off at:
Rensselaer Fire Department
1060 W. Clark Street
Rensselaer, IN 47978

We are truly grateful for the continued support our community shows our firefighters. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference.

Thank you for always having our backs while we work to protect yours! 🚒❤️

10/31/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31, 2026

Structure Fire – Cherry and Milton Streets

On Saturday morning, October 31, 2026, the Rensselaer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported garage fire located in an alley near the intersection of Cherry and Milton Streets in Rensselaer.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the garage fully involved in fire, with a motor vehicle located inside the structure.

Due to the extent of the fire, firefighters immediately initiated defensive firefighting operations and were able to bring the fire under control and extinguish it.

The garage sustained extensive damage and was considered a total loss. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Firefighters remained on scene for approximately two hours conducting fire suppression and overhaul operations.

Rensselaer Fire Department
Chief Kenny Haun
1060 W. Clark Street
Rensselaer, IN 47978

10/30/2026

Tonight, our 2026 Rensselaer Fire Academy students completed the final classroom lecture portion of their Firefighter I & II training!

We want to extend a special thank you to our good friend, brother firefighter, and founder of Ben’s Blue Bag, Matt Kodicheck, for joining us tonight and sharing his knowledge about this incredible program.

Ben’s Blue Bag provides first responders with valuable tools and resources to help better communicate with and assist individuals with autism during emergency situations. It’s a great reminder that being a firefighter isn’t just about fighting fires — it’s about understanding and serving everyone in our communities.

We encourage everyone to learn more about this wonderful program! You can find Ben’s Blue Bags on Facebook or visit their website at:

🌐 https://bensbluebags.com/

With just ONE DAY of hands-on skills training remaining, these students are almost at the finish line!

It’s been a long journey filled with hard work, dedication, and countless hours of training. We’re proud of how far this class has come.

Great job, Class of 2026! You’ve almost made it! 🚒👏

Graduation — November 13, 2026! 🎓

10/29/2026

Need one more student

10/27/2026

10/20/2026

Learn what it takes to be a Live Fire Instructor following NFPA 1403 Standards. You must hold an active Instructor II or III certification to register for this course.

To register for this course, click on the following link:
https://on.in.gov/nov-05-valparaiso-fire-and-emergency

10/17/2026

Seven Posey County, Indiana volunteer departments: Black Township Fire & Rescue, Griffin-Bethel, Marrs Township, New Harmony, Point Township, Poseyville, and Smith Township… are proposing to create a countywide fire district. The county’s departments handled about 2,150 incidents across 419 square miles in 2025, but staffing shortages have left some unable to respond to every call. The proposed system would keep local stations and volunteers while placing 14 full-time firefighters at six locations: three each in Poseyville and Black Township, two in New Harmony, two in Wadesville, and two at each of Marrs Township’s stations.

Six part-time firefighters would help cover daytime gaps, particularly in Smith Township, Griffin, and Point Township. The plan envisions a phased rollout starting in 2028, with further expansion through 2032, funded through a shared fire-protection tax and a proposed local income tax. It has not been approved, and final participation remains unsettled; Wadesville-Center Township has opposed joining, despite Wadesville being listed as a proposed full-time staffing location.

10/15/2026

FROM THE DESK OF THE FIRE CHIEF

The Future of Volunteer Firefighting

Having spent many years in the fire service, I've witnessed a lot of changes. Some have made us better, while others have brought challenges that I believe we need to start thinking about.

One of my greatest concerns is the future of volunteer firefighting.

For generations, volunteers have been the backbone of fire protection in small towns and rural communities.

They leave their families, jobs, and warm beds to help someone in need, often someone they've never met.

That dedication is something I've always admired and will never take for granted.

But times are changing.

Training requirements continue to increase, emergency calls are increasing and becoming more demanding, equipment costs are rising, and finding people with the time to volunteer is becoming more difficult.

The willingness to serve is still there. Finding the time to serve is becoming the challenge.

As Fire Chief, I often think about what our fire service will look like 5, 10, or even 20 years from now
Will we have enough firefighters? Will we have the equipment and resources needed? Will the next generation be able to make the same commitment as those who came before them?

I certainly hope so. But hope alone isn't a plan.

I firmly believe in the volunteer fire service. I also believe that protecting its future may require us to think differently, strengthen partnerships between departments, share resources, and explore new ways of supporting those who serve.

This isn't about pointing fingers, criticizing anyone, or questioning the dedication of our firefighters. It's simply about recognizing that the fire service is changing, and we must be willing to change with it.

Sometimes leadership means recognizing a challenge long before it becomes a problem.

I'm proud of the men and women who serve our community, and I want to make sure future generations have the same opportunity to serve.

Because at the end of the day, fire protection isn't just about trucks, buildings, or equipment.

It's about people. The people who answer the call and the people who depend on them.

The decisions and conversations we have today will help determine who answers that call tomorrow.

Just a few thoughts from behind the Chief's desk.

Pride. Honor. Integrity.
Fire Chief
Rensselaer Fire Department