History

Former Stations

Founded in 1955 the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department has an extensive history.  Although many things have changed over the years a lot has remained stayed the same.  Here are some photos of our former stations and retired apparatus.

Fire Station No. 1 7295 West Johnson Road

Fire Station No.1 opened around 1956.  The original building was made up of the right two bays.  The Department added the left bay and the upstairs meeting room and called this station home until 1991 when the current station 1 at 7111 West 400 North opened a few blocks away.  This building stands today as a carpet store.

Trail Creek Station Trail Creek Town Hall.  Rainbow Trail, Trail Creek

 The Trail Creek Fire Station opened in the late 1970s.  It was closed by the Trail Creek town board in 2007.  It is now used by the Trail Creek Street and Police Departments.

Retired Apparatus

Rescue No. 1

 Rescue No. 1 was the fire departments second first responder vehicle.  It was a converted Chevrolet Type I ambulance.  It was in service from around 1992 until 1998 when the current Rescue 1 was placed into service.

Tanker No. 2 1988 Ford/Four Guys

Tanker No. 2 purchased by the department from 4Guys fire apparatus.  It was a 2000 gallon tanker built on a for F series chassis.  Tanker 2 serviced the department until late 2000 when it was sold to a fire department in Michigan.  

Tanker No. 3

Tanker No. 3 seems to be the great unknown truck of the Coolspring fleet.  Most guys remember it being around in late 1970's and 1980s.  It was sold in the mid 1990's.  As for more info on this truck.  Still working on it. 

Utility No. 4

Utility/Rescue 4 was the department's first rescue unit.  It started its life as a NIPSCO service truck in the mid 1970's.  It was purchased by the department in the late 1980's for use a general utility and rescue trucks.  It was retired in the mid 1990's after it started to fall apart.  According to Chief Pawlik every time you would make a left hand turn with the rig in its final years with the department it would die. 

Tanker No. 5

 Tanker No. 5 was with the department for several years.  It started it career at the old Station 1 on Johnson and then moved to new Station 1 on 400.   It was finally retired in the mid 1990's when the new Tanker 5 was purchased.   

Brush No. 6

 Brush 6 was a 1977 International/Howe brush rig.  It was purchased new by the department and serviced until 2007 when it was finally sold by the department.  It had a 250 gallon pump and a 250 gallon tank. 

Engine No. 7

 Engine 7 was a 1981 Ford/Pirche engine.  It had a 750 gallon pump and a 500 gallon tank.  "7" was she was know was the queen of the Coolspring fleet prior to the arrival of Engine 8 and Quint 3.  Engine 7 worked three different fire stations.  It started its career at the old fire station on Johnson Road.  It then moved to the new station 1.  As it got older 7 finally took up residence at the Trail Creek fire station.  It was retired from active service in 2007 with the delivery of the current Engine 7.  It was sold shortly there after. 

 

 
Founded in 1955 The Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department provides Fire services to Coolspring Township and the City of Trail Creek.

Coolspring Township is one of twenty-one townships in LaPorte County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 14,910. The unincorporated town of Waterford is located within the township.