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Citing a need for fire protection and other services within the budding
community of Smith’s Valley, the Smith’s Valley Community Center was
established on January 1st, 1952. Although the group’s
primary mission was fire protection, they also came together to provide
recreational facilities and a central meeting hall, all in an effort to
improve the living conditions within the community.
In November of 1953, the
members of the Community Center voted to split off the fire protection
portion and form an independent fire department known as the Smith
Valley Volunteer Fire Department. The new department would remain a
sub-entity of the Community Center but would function with its own set
of officers and members.
In July of 1956, the members
of the Community Center voted to permit the Smith Valley Volunteer Fire
Department to completely operate independent of the Community Center and
function under its own set of By-Laws. To further facilitate the
segregation, the name was changed to the White River Township Volunteer
Fire Department.
The department would then
continue to operate as a fully volunteer force up and through the
mid-1980’s. Fish Fry’s, carnivals, and a small annual contribution from
the township trustee were the main sources of revenue throughout these
years.
The White River Township Fire
Protection District was formed in 1986 for the purpose of receiving
local taxpayer revenue, which otherwise was unavailable. Since its
formation, it has taken the fire department from an all 'volunteer'
department to paid stand-by, and finally to it's current position as a
combination fire department.
The District is composed of a five person Board of Directors appointed
by the Johnson County Commissioners. Board members fulfill alternating
two year terms, with one expiring each year.
The department is a not-for-profit corporation under the guidelines set
forth by the State of Indiana and 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code
and is one of the fastest growing districts in the state of Indiana.
The community is a
suburban, upper-middle and middle class residential area, however it is
also home to several strip malls, four major department stores, five
elementary schools, two middle schools, three large retired living communities, multiple apartment complexes and three
manufactured housing communities which have a combined total of over 600
manufactured homes.
The District spans two major highways: State Road 37 and State Road
135, which are both major thoroughfares for Indianapolis commuter
traffic. The west fork of the White River also runs through the
District.
The Department
employs 150+ individuals in five different divisions which include
full-time firefighters, part-time firefighters, cadet firefighters,
auxiliary members, and associate members. Although staffing
varies, it typically involves around twenty-five on-duty firefighters per day
and eight to ten office staff during the week. In addition to the
daily staffing of full and part-time firefighters, the department also
utilizes several ancillary factions for various operations.
Cadet firefighters are young adults between the ages of 16 and 19 who
are interested in the fire service. This mentoring program allows them
to complete the proper fire and EMS training, while at the same time,
allowing them to finish high school. Cadets are utilized in a support
function on the fire ground and are not allowed to perform interior
structural firefighting.
Members of the auxiliary division are non-firefighters who serve in a
support capacity to the department and its firefighters. They perform
rehab functions at emergency incidents, they assist with the
department's annual Strawberry Festival, and they assist in planning
various department social events.
Associate employees are non-firefighters who serve in a support capacity
to the department. These include the department's photographers,
maintenance technicians, computer technicians,
and the department's medical director.
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