Wayne Township Fire Department
Fire Chief Larry Alcorn - Trustee David K. Baird

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Thursday, September 25th, 2008

Line of Duty Death - Wayne Township Fire mourns the loss of full-time Paramedic Vania Shields

Vania A. (Abella) Shields 33, of Franklin passed away September 25, 2008 from the result of an accident.

She was born September 3, 1975 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She married Joe R. Shields on November 29, 2005 in Indianapolis, IN., he survives. She was a 1993 graduate of Whiteland Community High School and a graduate of St. Francis Hospital Paramedic School where she graduated top of her class.

Vania was popular with her coworkers. She was a beloved member of the Bargersville Community Fire Department since September 25, 2007. She also worked as a paramedic with Wayne Township Fire Department in Indianapolis for six months until the time of her death. Her husband Joe Shields, also a member of Bargersville Community Fire Department was recently hired as a career lieutenant and was scheduled to start October 1, 2008. She was a member of the International Association of Firefighters Indianapolis Local #416.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson County Humane Society 3827 North Graham Road, Franklin, Indiana 46131. Information 317-738-0202.

Wednesday, September 11th, 2008

Large 2-alarm fire blazes at the Island Club Apartments in Wayne Township

Crews responded to the report of an apartment fire in the 7600 block of Island Club Dr. Engine 85 marked smoke showing from their firehouse and arrived on scene to find heavy fire involvment with flames through the roof and a heavy column of smoke. Engine 85 immediately called for a second alarm. According to Battalion 8, "crews did a great job of establishing water supplies and holding the fire spread to a minimum as they had very hot conditions and long stretches with attack lines to reach 2nd and 3rd story units". There were reported to be 6 firefighters injured. One was transported to an area hospital with an irregular EKG, another was transported to an area hospital with severe leg cramps. Four others were treated and released at the scene for various signs of sickness, dehyrdration, and minor burns. A total of 12 apartment units were damaged with 4 of them being destroyed. Residents of the complex are credited with spotting the black smoke and flames before they broke through the structure and civilians assisted with evacuating as many of those who were home as they could before fire crews arrived. No civilian injuries were reported.

(Photo below on top left courtesy WTHR.com. All other photo's courtesy Phototac.com. You can see more pictures of this incident at Phototac.com by clicking here.)

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

Police officer trapped after crash with another police officer

Around 0430 hrs. Wayne Township crews were dispatched to Washington St. and Lynhurst Dr. (just outside Station #82) on the report of a PI with entrapment. While responding to a robbery in progress, two police cruisers collided at the intersection, trapping one of the officers in the vehicle. Crews were able to quickly extricate the officer and both officers were transported to the hospital. Their injuries were not reported to be life threatening.

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

Careless cooking catches house on fire

Engine #81, Engine #74, Ladder #82, Aerial #71 with Engine #82 as R.I.T. were dispatched to the 4800 block of West Southern Av. Upon arrival Engine #81 marked smoke showing from a one story ranch residence. Upon entry, crews found heavy smoke and fire conditions in the kitchen of the residence with extension into a laundry room. TSU #83 and Medic #81 were dispatched as working fire companies. Ladder #82's crew was able to quickly vent the structure providing welcomed relief for the attack crews. The fire was quickly brought under control by Engine #81 and the incident was held to 2 engines and 1 truck. No injuries were reported.

Friday, August 1st, 2008

Residence fire with civilian fatality

Engine #82, Engine #81, Ladder #82, Ladder #84, Battalion #8 and Engine #83 as R.I.T. were dispatched around 0100 hrs. to a residence fire in the 5000 block of West Mecca Street. Upon arrival, Battalion #8 marked smoke showing with fire visible through the front windows. Medic #82 and TSU #83 were dispatched as working fire companies. Ladder #82 arrived and began to force entry on the front door, nearest the fire, while Engine #82 quickly deployed an attack line. Battalion #8 then advised there was possible entrapment. This call brought Engine #84, Medic #83, and IFD Ladder #19 as a compliment to the working fire with entrapment. While Ladder #82 and Engine #82 forced entry through the front of the residence, Engine #81 forced entry through the rear of the residence. Less than 5 minutes from arrival on scene a victim was located and removed from the residence. It was readily apparent that the victim had suffered a gunshot wound. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews exited the structure so police and fire investigators could begin their work. It was later determined by the Marion County Coroner's office that the victim had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Several suicide notes were found and it is believed that the victim started the fire before committing suicide. This case is still under investigation.

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Car fire domino effect

Engine #83 was dispatched to a parking lot near the airport on a car fire late this afternoon. They were disregarded enroute by dispatchers due to the Airport Fire Department responding, however due to the volume of smoke they could see from a distance they continued in to see if they could assist. When arriving, they added themselves back to the run as a single car fire had spread, catching 5 other vehicles on fire as well. Engine #83 established a water supply line and assisted the Airport in extiguishment.

Friday, July 25th, 2008

Early morning passerby reports house fire

Engine #82, Ladder #82, Ladder #84, Battalion #8, and IFD Engine #18 were dispatched to the report of a residence fire in the 600 block of South Cole St. at 0619 hrs. Battalion #8 arrived on scene and marked a working residence fire with heavy fire coming from the rear of the house. Wishard Medic #18 and TSU #83 were dispatched as working fire companies. The residence was reported to be vacant and no injuries were reported. (Photo's courtesy WTHR.com)

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

Crews dispatched to smoke coming from a residence

Engine #82, Engine #81, Ladder #82, Ladder #84, Battalion #8 with Engine #83 as R.I.T. were dispatched at 1353hrs. to the 5100 block of West Caven St. on the report of a residence fire. Upon arrival, Ladder #82 marked with smoke showing and began search for the fire. TSU #83 and Medic #81 were then dispatched as the working fire companies. Engine #82 quickly stretched an inch and three-quarter attack line through the front door of the residence while Engine #81 stretched a secondary attack line and assisted in establishing a primary water supply. Crews from the 82's quickly found the seat of the fire in the rear of the residence and rapidly extinguished the fire. The residence was vacant at the time and no injuries were reported.

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

Fire destroys 8 apartments near Eagle Creek Airport

Firefighters were called to Spinnaker Apartments near the Eagle Creek Airport around 1:00am Tuesday morning for a working apartment fire. It appears that lightning struck the apartments, causing the fire. Twenty to 30 people were displaced because of the fire, which damaged at least eight apartments. The Red Cross was on the scene this morning to help victims of the fire with basic needs. (Story and left photo by WTHR Channel 13)

Indianapolis, Indiana 46214

(317)-247-8501

Last modified: 12/02/2008 Copyright © 2008 Wayne Township Fire Department