Crawfordsville Fire Department

10/23/2026

🚨 For Immediate Release 🚨

Crawfordsville Fire Department Responds to Two Serious Incidents on I-74

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — October 23, 2026 —

The Crawfordsville Fire Department responded to a hazardous materials incident on westbound Interstate 74 near mile marker 39 at approximately 8:45 a.m. today.
While en route, dispatch advised crews that a semi-truck and trailer were involved in a fire. Upon arrival, crews found the tractor and trailer overturned and on fire, with the trailer in the ditch leaking argon gas and diesel fuel. The driver reported that the trailer was fully loaded.
Crews worked to extinguish the fire, assess the hazardous materials situation, identify the source of the leaks, and establish safety zones. Traffic was stopped in all directions while emergency personnel worked to secure the scene.
At approximately 9:18 a.m., Crawfordsville Fire was dispatched to a second incident involving multiple vehicles and a semi-truck on eastbound I-74 near mile marker 37. This additional incident required emergency personnel and resources while crews were still working at the initial HazMat scene.

Due to the demands of both incidents, Crawfordsville Fire initiated an emergency recall of 10 off-duty fire and EMS personnel to assist with operations and maintain emergency response coverage.

Multiple patients received assessments by EMS personnel. Some were transported to local hospitals, while others declined transport after evaluation.

Assisting agencies included:
Crawfordsville Fire Department
Darlington Fire Department
Crawfordsville Police Department
Montgomery County Sheriff's Department
Indiana State Police
Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency
Montgomery County Central Communications

Montgomery County Central Communications coordinated resources for both incidents while continuing to handle additional medical emergencies in the county.

As of this release, emergency crews have cleared the scene but crews are still working on hazardous materials cleanup and related operations. Interstate 74 remains closed in the affected area, and motorists are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes. The duration of the closure is not yet known.

The Crawfordsville Fire Department will provide additional information as it becomes available.

10/16/2026

Every year before Fire Prevention Week, the CFD Code Enforcement division observes and grades the Crawfordsville Schools and North Montgomery Schools on how well they conduct a fire drill. The grading takes into account how long it takes to evacuate, provide our Incident Commander with full student and staff accountability, and overcome any "obstacles" we might surprise them with.
All schools practice this regularly, and they all perform very well every year. However, this year it was Hoover Elementary and Sugar Creek Elementary that outperformed their corporation "rivals".
The winners get to keep the traveling trophy until next year's fire drill competition and are also provided a check for $500 from the Crawfordsville Professional Firefighters Local 4143 to use however they see fit!
Congratulations to the 2026 winners, and thank you to all of our schools for taking fire evacuation and accountability so seriously. You are all outstanding!

10/01/2026

Our newest firefighter is geared up, on the hose line, and ready for fall! If you’re passing by the station, be sure to check out the newest member of CFD. Meet Firefighter Crow!

Special Thank you to Paramedic Shawnna Smith for your creativity and hard work!

09/29/2026

The Crawfordsville Fire Department Merit Commissioners held a special meeting this evening to discuss the current promotion process. After, testing, interviews, and a verbal skills assessment, Chief Busenbark recommended that Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Rose be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. The board unanimously agreed!

Daniel’s wife Taylor and his two daughters were on hand to do the pinning of his new badge. We wish to congratulate Lt. Rose on his accomplishments and look forward to having him in a leadership role for the CFD!

09/25/2026

B-Shift had a fabulous visit with Rock Paper Scissors Preschool!

We had a great time talking with the kids about fire safety and getting them excited about fire prevention. Thanks for having us! We always love visiting our community’s youngest firefighters!

Thank you for a fabulous visit, Rock Paper Scissors Preschool!

09/16/2026

This morning, Crawfordsville Fire Department crews faced an unusually demanding stretch, managing seven simultaneous emergencies across the community.

Calls included a large natural gas leak that displaced eight residences, a confined-space rescue, a patient experiencing anaphylactic shock, a cardiac emergency, and three additional medical emergencies requiring transport.

With multiple incidents happening at once, CFD activated its emergency recall process, bringing eight off-duty firefighters and EMS personnel back to duty to help expand available resources.

And through it all, crews continued responding to calls while maintaining emergency coverage for the rest of our community.

“This morning was a great example of why preparation, training, teamwork, and the ability to quickly expand our staffing are so important,” said Fire Chief Scott Busenbark.

Emergencies don't always happen one at a time. Our firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers, and public safety partners train and prepare for the moments when the unexpected happens all at once.

Seven calls. Multiple locations. One team working together to keep Crawfordsville covered.

Thank you to everyone who answered the call this morning.

09/13/2026

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Members of the Crawfordsville Fire Department joined the Wabash College Lacrosse team for a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Together, participants climbed in honor of the 343 members of the FDNY who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the thousands of others who lost their lives that day.

The Crawfordsville Fire Department is proud to have joined Wabash College in this meaningful tribute honoring the courage, sacrifice, and selfless service displayed on September 11, 2001.

We will never forget.

#343

09/11/2026

09/03/2026

🚑 A Change to EMS Hospital Diversion in Indiana

Indiana is ending the routine practice of hospital diversion, helping EMS ambulances stay local and available for the next 911 call. Diversion will now be limited to situations such as disasters or critical infrastructure failures.

For Crawfordsville Fire Department, this is a positive change for our community.

“Our crews run anywhere from 15 to 20 EMS calls a day, so keeping our trucks local and available is a big benefit to the community,” said Fire Chief Scott Busenbark. “Our crews will always take patients to the appropriate facility based on their medical needs.”

Deputy Chief Paul Miller added “This new approach strengthens our ability to keep our ambulances in the county and available for the next 911 call, while still allowing our paramedics to advocate for their patients and choose the nearest and most appropriate hospital for their needs. Good communication and strong partnerships are what make this work.”

🔗 Read the full announcement from the Indiana Department of Health: https://events.in.gov/event/idoh-news-release-state-health-officials-emergency-healthcare-providers-agree-to-discontinue-routine-hospital-diversion?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=State+of+Indiana

08/15/2026

🩸 Leading by example!

Before the day even got rolling, one of our off-duty firefighters, his wife, and an on-duty police officer showed up to roll up their sleeves and donate blood for our community’s Whole Blood Program.

This is what community commitment looks like.