Indiana Fire Association I.F.A. Overview

The revised Charter of the Indiana Fire Association in 2003 allows for a total of 84 active members in the Association.  The additional positions for 20 members were required for the increased call volume of the department.

 The membership is divided into 4 individual companies excluding the Chief Officers.  The companies are numbered as company 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each company responds to calls on a rotating basis. Once a company is dispatched to a call, the following company is placed in the rotation as next due to respond.  There are positions for 20 firefighters in each company.  Each company has a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, and 17 firefighters.  Once becoming a member of the association you are assigned by the Chief to a company in which to serve. 

The IFA operates with 4 Chief Officers; 1 Fire Chief and 3 Assistant Fire Chiefs.  The Chiefs also rotate to incidents on a monthly schedule.  The scheduled Chief will handle routine calls.  When more serious calls occur the scheduled Chief will respond and be assisted at the scene by the other available Chiefs. 

The IFA has a specialized team within the organization, A Rescue Squad.  This team is  composed of highly qualified and trained firefighters chosen for their skills and expertise from the 84 members. 

Leading the Rescue Squad members is a Captain and 2 Lieutenants.  The Chief appoints these officer positions.  The Rescue Squad responds to all incidents involving a rescue or an incident involving hazardous material. Some examples of calls the Rescue Squad will respond to are: vehicle accidents with entrapment or involving hazardous materials, vehicles leaking fuel, natural gas leaks in a residence, physical rescues, and search and rescue operations for lost people.   

 The IFA service area includes: Indiana Borough, White Township, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and portions Armstrong and Rayne Townships.  The department serves a population of approximately 50,000 people.

            -  In 2009 Station 100 responded to 491 incidents  -