Fire Department

Greetings from the Fire Chief

As Fire Chief, I would like to thank the residents of the Village of Bluffton for their continued support and gratitude of the Bluffton Fire Department. The job that the volunteer does for our community goes above and beyond most calls of duty. Whether it is being awaken in the middle of the night, being called away from dinner with family, holidays, sporting events, etc., the members of the Bluffton Fire Department sacrifice personal time to save other residents lives, property or both. Without your continued support we would not be able to provide the services that we provide. 

I am a third generation firefighter and at an early age had an interest in one day becoming a fireman. I have learned many things from firefighters of the past and present and hope to pass that knowledge onto the current members and future members alike. 

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you, your family, and your friends.

Sincerely,

Chief Jon Kinn
Bluffton Fire Department

ISO Rating

The Village of Bluffton has an insurance class 4 rating by ISO. This rating moved from a five to a four, which is speaks very positively about the quality of fire protection and water distribution for fire protection. We encourage you to contact your insurance carrier to see if this changed rating may result in better insurance premium rates for in-town properties. Our out of town rating remains at a 9.

Bluffton Fire Department Members

NAME


Chief Jon Kinn

Captain Tim Essinger

Steve Hardesty

Ross Emans

Mark Delisle

Jim Painter

Lee Rosengarten

NAME


Captain Tony Pinks

Rick Skilliter

John Bowers

Eric Rayle

Tyler Delong-Clem

Keith Hohenbrink

NAME


Assistant Chief Nathan Jordan

Lieutenant Blane Miller

Scott Calvelage

Greg Probst

Austin Barnhart

Luke Probst

Volunteering for the Fire Department

In the State of Ohio, a person must 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent to take the Ohio Fire test. You must also attend a 36 hour Basic Fire Course and pass the State of Ohio test. Any person wishing to join the Bluffton Fire Department should contact any Bluffton Firefighter to obtain an application.

History of the Bluffton Fire Department

The council of the Village of Bluffton passed an ordinance on January 30th, 1893 to provide for the establishment of a fire department and creating an office of fire engineer for the Village of Bluffton, Allen County, Ohio. The council appointed the first fire chief, D.S. Bushy on May 28, 1894. The name of the original fire department was the Bluffton Cataract Fire Company No. 1. In 1896, the department was renamed the Bluffton Fire Department. The department consisted of 10 men and a fire chief.

The first fire department had a hose cart, engine, and a hook and ladder wagon. Today, the department is consists of 23 members and the fire chief. The fire department maintains 2 engines, 1 aerial platform, 1 tanker/pumper, 1 grass truck, and 1 equipment truck.
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