Service Area Overview
Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department is contracted by the civil townships in order to provide fire protection and emergency services to Liberty and Jackson Townships located in northern Porter County. The service area covered includes Chesterton, Valparaiso, and Westville in the department’s unincorporated area.
Our fire department provides primary first response duties to these areas covering approximately 51 square miles that includes a mix of residential neighborhoods, agricultural land, woodlands, and light commercial development along the U.S. Highway 6 corridor.
Our fire department is responsible for all of Liberty Township and half of Jackson Township under contract. LTVFD provides primary service up to county road 500 East in Jackson Township. Fire protection service for areas East of county road 500 East are contracted to Westville Community Volunteer Fire Department. However, Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department provides overlapping coverage for all emergencies within Jackson Township as a result of a long-standing interagency agreement with Westville. LTVFD responds in unison with Westville unless noted otherwise by units on scene.
Township Overview
Liberty Township is a rural to semi-suburban area that has seen an increased growth in the last decade of residential growth while still mixing woodland feel to the area.
Jackson Township is primarily rural/agricultural with large tracts of forest and open land. Both areas served provide the tranquil beauty of small town living with easy access to amenities within a short drive.
Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department roughly provides services to approximately 16,481 persons according to the United States Census Bureau recorded for 2020 that directly reside in the service area. That’s just over 10% of the total population in Porter County. The area is a thoroughfare of major roadway traffic, rail line transportation, and tollway system.
Response Capabilities
Hydrant Availability
Hydrants are mostly available in Liberty Township along U.S. Highway 6 between State Road 149 and State Road 49, and north along Meridian Road, with limited coverage along County Road 900 North. Tanker shuttle operations are commonly used during fire responses where hydrants are not available.
Dry-Hydrant Availability
Dry hydrants are limited but available in some areas, allowing access to water from ponds, lakes, or other natural sources. Water is drafted using a fire engine’s pump, providing vital water supply for firefighting in areas without traditional hydrants.
Wildland-Urban Interface
Brush and grass fires are a seasonal concern, typically resulting in small to moderate fires ranging from a few acres to larger incidents. Quick response and firebreak tactics are key to limiting spread in mixed woodland and residential areas.
Road Conditions
Most roads throughout the service area are paved, although gravel driveways are common outside of subdivisions. Narrow roads and limited access points in some rural areas can pose challenges for emergency vehicle operations.
Focused on Safeguarding what Matters Most
LTVFD provides emergency response services to several protected areas within its service area. The fire department’s emergency response responsibilities extend across a wide range of high-priority locations, including schools, regional healthcare center, high-life hazard facilities, and our public parks. LTVFD is committed to safeguarding the people and places that matter most in our community. Notable protected areas include:
Safeguarding our Schools, Hospital, and Community Resources
LTVFD actively safeguards its essential facilities that serve the young, the elderly, and everyone in between.
- Liberty Schools: Liberty Elementary School and Liberty Intermediate/Middle School
- Jackson Elementary School
- Journey Senior Living Center: a residential facility providing care for seniors in a supported, medical setting.
- Northwest Health – Porter: the only hospital in Porter County for emergency treatment and regional healthcare.
- Our churches and religious facilities: vital community hubs for religious services and outreach.
Public Lands and Natural Resources Stewardship Responsibilities
The diverse environments of these parks-ranging from wooded areas and wetlands to open fields and water features – present unique challenges for emergency response teams.
- Moraine Nature Preserve: Located in Jackson Township, this 814.5-acre preserve is managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and features rolling hills, steep ridges, deep-wooded gorges, and a natural kettle pond.
- County Parks that include: Sunset Hill Farm, Brookdale Farm that features hiking trails, campground, farm animals, a catch-and-release pond and more.
- Home to the Shirley Heinze Land Trust’s headquarters, the Meadowbrook Nature Preserve: offers a diverse landscape of forests, wetlands, streams, and meadows.
- Multiple bodies of water including: Long Lake, Salt Creek, Coffee Creek, Brookdale Pond, and Clear Lake
Agricultural and Residential Commitment
From safeguarding homes and multi-family dwellings to responding to fires in farming equipment, chemical spills, the department is dedicated to ensuring the safety of our diverse community.
- Our department is committed to working closely with local farmers and livestock handlers to ensure close coordination when disasters strike. Whether a grain bin rescue, haystack fire, or cattle rescue. Our emergency preparedness has been working closely to receive training from our local community to provide us with the knowledge we need.
- We maintain rescue equipment and train for a range of scenarios, including structure fire, medical emergencies and search-and-rescue operations.
LTVFD collaborates with many partners to ensure effective emergency response in these areas and other incidents.