The Sugar Creek Township (Hancock County, Indiana) Fire Department traces its beginnings to the Philadelphia Volunteer Fire Department and the New Palestine Volunteer Fire Department (organized in 1896).  In 1997, while the two organizations maintained their respective names, the department was renamed Sugar Creek Township with two (2) stations (41 and 42).  In 2004 Fire Station 41 was closed and replaced by Fire Station 45, a new state of the art facility housing the Sugar Creek Township Trustee, Fire Department Headquarters, and equipment and personnel from Station 41.  The Department is a full service, combination fire department, serving 14,920 customers over a 36 square mile area contiguous to the City of Indianapolis, that responds to 1200 calls per year with a $4.1 million budget, from 2 fire stations with 18 motorized vehicles and 2 trailers (2 Engines, 1 Quint, 1 Engine/Tender, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Technical Rescue, 1 Grass Truck, 3 ALS Ambulances, 7 staff/utility vehicles, 1 ATV/EMS Cart, 1 Fire Safety Training Trailer, and 1 utility trailer).

We have a total of 50 personnel - 31 full-time sworn personnel (27 on 24/48 staffing and 4 daytime administrative positions) and 19 volunteer/paid-on-call personnel, responding to fire, emergency medical, technical rescue, hazardous material, and extrication from entrapment incidents.  One part-time administrative assistant, 1 part-time life safety educator, and 3 part-time firefighter/paramedics provide additional support.

Sugar Creek Township began Advanced Life Support (ALS) service in 2001.  The Department’s primary response area is Sugar Creek Township including the incorporated towns of New Palestine and Spring Lake.  Additionally, we provide mutual aid to Buck Creek Township, Fountaintown, City of Greenfield, City of Indianapolis, Moral Township and the Town of Morristown.

Coverage in Sq. Miles: 36

Calls in 2018:  1,600

Stations: 2

ISO Rating:

4 - Inside New Palestine town limits

5 - Unincorporated Sugar Creek Township within 1000' of a fire hydrant

9 - All other unincorporated in Sugar Creek Township