Dedicated to the men and women who have helped make Van Buren Township and Fire Department what it is today.

2011 marks the 41st year of service by the Van Buren Township Fire Department and Township to the citizens and visitors of Van Buren. During our existence, we have managed to survive year after year. Through the leadership of our township government and diligent efforts of our firefighters, VBFD has been able to grow and continue to meet the needs of our community today.
Van Buren Township Fire Department has been fortunate to have many men and women through the years dedicated to public service and the betterment of the department. Our current roster includes 13 volunteers, 19 part-time paid firefighters and 11 full-time paid firefighters. Out of the current roster of 43, we have 30 personnel certified as EMT-Basic and one paramedic or higher and 3 personnel certified as first responders. With the current group of firefighters and leadership it is our goal to provide Van Buren Township and visitors with the highest quality service; a fire department of men and women who they can depend on and feel proud of. From its start in 1970 with 4 full-time firefighters and 24 volunteers, six pieces of firefighting equipment and one fire station, VBFD has grown to 43 firefighters strong, ten firefighting apparatus and two manned fire stations (Station #9 and Station #19). As we enter our 41st year of service, Van Buren Township Fire Department continues to strive to stay on the cutting edge of firefighting technology in order to provide the best service we can to our community and its visitors.
Van Buren Township continues to service residents in need of assistance. In 2010 we assisted (90%) of 708 recipients, in need of food, shelter, medical attention and utilities. The remaining 10% that failed to meet the state guidelines and were directed to other organizations within Monroe County. Our full-time investigator has 4 years experience with two part-time assistants.
Our investigators are compassionate toward helping families in need, meeting each client on a personal level, interviewing each case one-on-one.
On January 7, 2010 Rita Barrow was appointed, Van Buren Trustee. She was appointed Deputy Trustee in 2009 and was accounts payable-received the prior two years. In the past four years she has gained the trust and admiration of the township fire-department and is dedicated to serving the residents of Van Buren. She believes that she has become a voice for Van Buren and is determined to answer to the 11,434 residents with an open door policy. Her message to all township residents is to: 1) maintain your right to local representation, (House Bill 1181); 2) continue the quality of service that Van Buren residents have been provided whether need be Fire, EMS or Township Assistance. … Van Buren will be there.

Rita Barrow, Van Buren Township Trustee

Township Advisory Board
Kenny Parrish - President
Mary Rice - Secretary
John Wilson - Member at Large

Van Buren Township Offices Hours M-F 8:30-4:00

2130 South Kirby Road

Bloomington, Indiana 47403

Phone 812-825-4490

After Hours Emergency Contact Number 812-825-9500

Fax 812-825-9700