It had been a week since the three-member unit was activated. On Monday, crew members Capt. Thomas Hoffman, engineer Jan Hargett and firefighter-paramedic Brandon Bencomo gathered near the rear of the station attempting to fit in a workout before the calls began.

 

Unlike standard firefighter shifts, where personnel can spend more than 24 hours at their station, the crew of Medic Engine No. 7 is working days —  8 a.m. to 6 p.m., what firefighters call “8 to 18” shift.

A Decatur Township fire station was set in June to become the first in the Indianapolis area with baby box. That box is at Decatur Township Fire Station No. 74, 3750 Foltz St., about a half-mile south of Kentucky Avenue, allows people to anonymously leave babies in a temperature-controlled, ventilated and sanitary space. Indiana recently changed its law to allow the boxes at fire stations staffed 24 hours a day.

Vernon Township Fire Station No. 3 will be at 600 Vitality Drive in Fortville, on the Hancock County town's south side off U.S. 36.

Vernon Township government is now housed in leased spaces in the town about 4 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Vernon Township has about 13,000 residents. 

Battalion Chief Leo Giles said it carries water and hose like any other engine, but said it also has modern features. It pollutes less; he said the amount of carbon emitted is reduced by up to 90 percent.  

Batt. Chief Giles said it even has LED emergency lights.

"They're much more efficient and do a better job of warning the drivers out on the road of our vehicle," said Batt. Chief Giles. "Also, we have LED scene lighting that uses less energy, so now we can sit on a scene and light it with those scene lights without the vehicle running."