Fall Creek – Middletown Fire Protection Territory
The Fall Creek – Middletown Fire Protection Territory was established in 2026 as a partnership between Fall Creek Township and the Town of Middletown to provide coordinated fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) across the territory. The Territory was created under Indiana Code 36-8-19, which allows local units of government to voluntarily work together to provide and fund fire and EMS services through a formal agreement and shared oversight. The volunteer fire department has been operating since 1896. The ambulance service was started in 1974.
The Territory was formally established through Middletown Ordinance No. 2026-2 and Fall Creek Township Resolution No. 2026-2, both adopted on February 17, 2026. The Interlocal Cooperation Agreement sets the Territory’s effective date as July 1, 2026. The boundaries include all of Fall Creek Township and all of the municipal boundaries of the Town of Middletown.
The Fire Protection Territory is not a separate government entity. It is a structured agreement between two participating communities designed to strengthen long-term public safety services while keeping governance local.
Purpose of the Territory
The Fire Protection Territory was created to address three primary needs: long-term planning, reliable 24/7 EMS coverage, and shared local oversight.
First, the Territory provides a framework for long-term planning and financial stability. Fire trucks and ambulances must be replaced on predictable schedules. The Territory establishes an Equipment Replacement Fund to support replacement of major apparatus before failure, reducing service disruption and avoiding emergency borrowing.
Second, the Territory supports dependable emergency medical response. Reliable 24/7 ambulance coverage improves response times and strengthens life-safety outcomes. The Territory’s funding plan includes staffing and benefits for full-time EMS professionals to provide consistent coverage day and night.
Third, the Territory ensures local voice and accountability. Fire and EMS funding decisions impact every resident. The Territory establishes a joint governance structure so Fall Creek Township and Middletown both participate in oversight, planning, and budgeting .
Governance and Oversight
The Territory is governed by the Fall Creek – Middletown Fire Protection Territory Executive Board.
The Executive Board includes:
- Two voting members appointed by Fall Creek Township. Township Board President Kyle Hall and Township Trustee Joey Cooper currently represent the township on the fire board.
- Two voting members appointed by the Town of Middletown. Council member Dan Fountain and council president Dave Wagner currently represent the town on the fire board.
- One at-large voting member selected by fire and EMS personnel. Donita Chambless currently represents the fire and EMS membership on the fire board.
- The Fire Chief and EMS Chief as non-voting members. Currently, Bruce Hanson is fire chief and Phil Chandler is EMS Chief.
The Board provides oversight of operations, budgeting, staffing structure, and long-term planning. All meetings are subject to Indiana Open Door Law requirements. Fall Creek Township is designated as the Provider Unit for the Territory and is responsible for administrative functions including payroll, invoicing, insurance, reporting, and purchasing. The executive board meetings are video archived here.
Long-Term Commitment
The Fall Creek – Middletown Fire Protection Territory was established to strengthen emergency response, ensure reliable EMS coverage, support responsible replacement of fire and EMS apparatus, and provide shared local governance for long-term public safety planning.