About Us
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Doug Lutes
Fire Chief
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Jay Tennell
Deputy Chief Fire Operations
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Matt Stone
Deputy Chief EMS Operations
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"It shall be our mission to protect the lives and property of the citizens we serve.
We are committed to providing progressive, rapid, and reliable emergency services, delivered by dedicated, well - trained professionals.
We will constantly strive to efficiently utilize our resources in a manner that best serves the needs of our community."
Shelbyville's fire protection history began in the 1850s with the formation of the "Bucket Brigade" and strict fire-prevention ordinances. In 1868, after several destructive fires, a hand-pump fire engine was purchased, and the Union Fire Company No. 1 was formed. A steam pump engine followed in 1874, greatly enhancing fire-fighting capabilities.
As Shelbyville grew, so did its fire department. By 1917, it became a professional service with modern equipment, including fire trucks. Over the years, the department expanded with new stations, advanced equipment like a ladder truck in 1945, and in 1990, it assumed EMS services. Today, the department provides fire, EMS, and rescue services, including water and SWAT team rescue operations, supported by 62 members and state-of-the-art facilities. Read and see more about our history here.