Qualities we’re looking for are:

• A desire to help and succeed
• A feeling of connection within the community
• Time commitment
• Energy to be part of a great organization
• Not afraid of a little dirt and/or sweat

Minimum qualifications are:

• 18 years of age or older
• Live within the coverage area (roughly 5-6 miles in either direction from ‘Busco)

You may pick up an application on Tuesday evenings after 7:00 P.M. or download one here and read more information about our fire department.

The first accident came in around 8:30 a.m. when a garbage truck lost traction going up a hill on 500 South east of 100 East. The driver was transported to an area hospital complaining of pain.

Two Car Collision on U.S. 33

Later that afternoon two passenger cars collided at 100 East & U.S. 33 just north of Churubusco.

The two drivers of the vehicles were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

Teresa Trainer, 49, of Waterford, MS, was pinned inside and died at the scene. Several other people were critically hurt in the accident and rescue crews had to call for both the Parkview Samaritan & Lutheran Air helicopters.

Ryan Harter, 33, of Fort Wayne, the driver of the van was also taken to an area hospital in stable condition.

Police are still investigating the accident.

A Monte Carlo and Chevy Trailblazer were involved in the accident, sending the car into the guard rail pinning the driver and trapping other occupants in the SUV.

It took rescue crews approximately 20 minutes to extricate all of the victims – one was transported in serious condition.

Due to the amount of patients and seriousness of the accident Churubusco fire & EMS crews requested assistance from the Noble County EMS system as well as Tri-Lakes fire department for rescue assistance. It was soon discovered the Tri-Lakes rescue crew was not needed.

The accident remains under investigation.

Meanwhile Churubusco firefighters, EMS & police were called to the scene of a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 33 near 650 East. Initial reports were two cars and a semi with multiple party-pins. Upon arrival all passengers were out of their vehicles and the semi was not involved.

The red SUV first slid off the road hitting a pole and a van following tried to slow down and help losing control of his vehicle striking a pole on the other side of the road.

One woman from the SUV was transported to an area hospital in fair condition.

No other injuries were reported.

On June 1 of this year, local resident Chad Tucker was having some trouble breathing and was being driven to the hospital by his wife when they decided to stop by the fire station to have him checked out.

Within minutes of their arrival Tucker had a heart attack and had to be resuscitated not once, but twice by firefighters and paramedics in the parking lot.

Tucker and his family joined the department at their meeting and thanked the department for all that they do.

“You are very special people and I cannot thank you enough for all that you did”, said Tucker with tears in his eyes.

The second award of the evening was for firefighter of the year, which is voted on by department members.

Only two years into his membership on the department Erich Smith received the award for his dedication to the department no matter the day, time or type of incident.

“He always has a good attitude and is smiling when he’s around”, said Kris Bair as he presented Smith with the award.

Election of Officers

Roger Bennett will be serving his 3^rd consecutive year as fire chief and Chris Tomlinson will be the assistant chief in 2011.

The board of directors for 2011 will include Darrell Resler, Chris Holloway, Wayne Krider, Ben Rinker, Kris Bair, Bruce Shanabarger & Justin Snyder.

Units arrived to find two vehicles involved with a single driver in each car and both were pinned. It took units approximately 10 minutes to extricate both victims from each vehicle. No other passengers were found in the cars.

One victim was transported in serious condition while the other was in critical.

The Churubusco Fire Department & Whitley County EMS system sends our sincere condolences and heartfelt prayers to the family of Cameron Amber who perished in the accident.

The Amber family has been involved in the emergency system of Whitley County for decades and there is no greater pain for our family than to see the tragic death of one of our own.

Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with you today, tomorrow and forever.

Police are unsure what caused the man to leave the road and it remains under investigation.

The driver refused treatment.

Churubusco fire crews were called out to assist with lighting as the car was pulled from the ditch.

Command units arrived to find a full-sized van flipped on it’s side with a man trapped inside.

Crews had to cut approximately 25% of the roof off to extricate the man who was then transported to an area hospital in fair condition.

The accident remains under investigation.