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 tree did land on and move the homes propane tank, but crews determined there was no immediate threat.

Churubusco seemed to have received the brunt of the storm as several reports of trees down around the Blue Lake and town area were reported to the 9-1-1 center. Some houses in the Blue Lake area seemed to have received minor damage from the winds as well.

The tree fell for no apparent reason Wednesday morning near the intersection of 550 North and Blue Lake Road

The Churubusco fire department, police and Whitley County Sheriff were sent to secure the scene and shortly thereafter Whitley County Highway crews and the electric company showed up to clean up the mess.

No one was injured in the incident, but one house did receive minor damage when the phone cable was ripped from the home and tore through the siding.

Wednesday, October 22nd

My final visit with the surgeon was today and he’s totally released me from his care.

We had a good discussion about how life is going to be from now on and of course it will change, but over time things will get better.

He did say that I have about a 10% chance of creating the exact same injury because of the fusion, but I can live with those odds. I probably have a better chance of lightning striking me than I do of blowing out another disc.

The only other long-term issue I face will be with medications that attempt to control the “stingers” I still get in my arms. It’s called “referral pain” and it feels like a stinging/tingling sensation that just rockets down my arms.

So I hope to be rejoining the fire department on a limited basis before years end and then be back in the full swing of things by early spring next year.

Thursday, June 26th

I had my second to last visit with the surgeon today and we discussed how things are progressing and determined whether or not I should stay under his care.

For now I am under his care until at least September when I am to set up one last appointment and finalize any further treatments or medications.

He did verify with me that I will NEVER have 100% movement with my head again and that my spinal cord could take up to two years to heal. At which time it may never truly “heal” and I might suffer stinging/aching pains in my arms for years to come.

All in all I’m happy to be progressing, but I can tell a huge difference in what I can and cannot do. Running seems to jar my neck around which causes pain. Sudden jerking movements such as being startled by a loud bang can cause me to spin my head quickly and create pain.

So for now I need to try and be very diligent in my exercises, taking medications when necessary and wearing my bone fusion stimulator.

Thursday, April 10th

This is the second meeting with the doctor and things are progressing they way they should.

I have been released to full-time work as of today, but with continued physical therapy 3-times a week for 8 more weeks.

My lifting restrictions are now based on what I “feel” and to avoid any situation that is uncomfortable for me.

The fire department is still a no-go until at least late June or early July. And my light-duty status may be continued after that when I meet with the doctor yet again in early June.

Monday, March 3rd

I had my first appointment with the surgeon to check on my progress today and here are the details:

- I’m still not allowed to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk

- I am allowed to drive again

- He’s given me permission to return to work on a “light duty” status

- The progress on my left hand is not as good as he’d like, so I start physical therapy soon 3 times a week for 4 weeks

- Will not return to any firefighting activities for at least 3 months if not more

- I’ve been fitted with a bone fusion stimulator similar to this one and wear that 4-hours a day anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months.

Fri – Sun

Family, friends and fellow fire departments stop by or send their wishes for a speedy recovery.

Most of my time is spent resting and watching television during all hours of the day and night.

I return to see the doctor on March 3rd to evaluate my progress and determine if therapy is needed.

Thursday, february 14th

Approximately 07:00

I am cleared to leave the trauma unit and be placed in a shared room.

11:30

A physical therapist visits to evaluate my current condition and progress. We go through a very small grouping of tests and she finds that I’m doing extremely well and has cleared me to at least freely walk about the floor I’m on to “knock the stink off” as my wife would say.

16:00

After reviewing all medical charts and my current condition I am released from Parkview Memorial to return home with a mandatory bed rest for the next few days.

19:15

My other “family” came to visit and see how I was doing. Felt great to see the gang and let them know I was doing fine. It was also good to recount the events and answer some questions people had about Tuesday night.

Wednesday, February 13th

Approximately 04:30

After a CAT-scan and an MRI, the resident surgeon advised me and my family that I had a slipped disc and it was pressing against the spinal cord which was the cause of the tenderness and tingling in my arms. He recommended surgery right away.

By 08:00 I was in recovery with reports from the doctor that everything went very well and they expected very good results from the work they completed.

Tuesday, february 12th

Approximately 22:45

As I entered the structure with another firefighter from Tank204, we had discovered that the interior crews had a very good handle on the situation and we went into salvage / overhaul mode. After removing a few items from the residence I made my way into the kitchen area where a firefighter was extinguishing some minor hot spots in the attic. Suddenly, without any warning the ceiling collapsed on me and from what I’ve been told two others.

After a momentarily loss of consciousness I realized that I had been injured and was buried in drywall and blown insulation.

I felt extreme pain / tingling in both arms and listened to my crew as they cleared the debris from around me. The slightest movement or even touch of my arms was almost impossible to bear at times.

They moved me to Medic 21 where EMT’s and Paramedics assessed the situation at hand. We then proceeded to Parkview ER where we were met by a neurosurgeon and a team of trauma specialists.

Units were then called to assist Huntertown Fire on a fully engulfed attached garage fire in Homestead Acres. Shortly after completing their assignment, the crew from Pump 201 were asked to stand-by at Huntertown’s station. But the Churubusco’s day wasn’t quite finished.

At approximately 13:30hrs, Arcola was sent on a chimney fire on O’Day Road. A crew standing by at the station responded in Pump 203 as well as the crew in Huntertown. This fire was very moderate compared to the Huntertown fire.

Finally, late Sunday night Churubusco units were called to stand-by for Noble Township reference a working house fire. Shortly after being put on stand-by, they requested a pump and five men, plus a tanker respond to the scene.

During extreme temperatures, fire departments will often call for extra personnel to help keep firefighters from injuring themselves due to the weather. Fire departments also see a heavy increase in emergencies during these extreme weather conditions.

Firefighters were called to assist town employees with sand bagging at approximately 5:30 a.m. and were assisted later by the Department of Corrections personnel and even a local citizen who stopped by to offer her services.

Crews then traveled throughout town unloading the bags and helping with pump water from yards.