Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department

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Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department OCRD1 Fire Department operates out of French Lick and covers 150 square miles of Western Rural Orange County

Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department is responsible for the fire protection, automobile accident extrication, and medical coverage for nearly half of Orange County, Indiana's rural area. "District 1," as we are commonly reffered to, is a department made up of 25 members who respond to calls around the clock 24/7/365. We are highly trained in structural, automobile, and woods & brush fire suppression, vehicle extrication, and other rescue and emeregency situations. Rural District 1 operates from the following apparatus: Engine 22-10, Tanker 3, Tanker 22, Brush 22, Rescue 22, Battalion 22, and Car 22. We strive to maintain excellence on every call, and encourage prevention amoung our constituents.

🚒🚨For Immediate Release 🚨🚒October 8th, 2026Residential Structure Fire Disrupts Morning Commute, Officer Saves Man's Liif...
10/08/2026

🚒🚨For Immediate Release 🚨🚒

October 8th, 2026

Residential Structure Fire Disrupts Morning Commute, Officer Saves Man's Liife

FRENCH LICK, IN – The Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department and Springs Valley Fire Department , along with IU Health Lifeline EMS responded to the 10200 Block of West State Road 56 just before 3 AM for a reported residential structure fire. Prior to Fire Crews arrival an Oficer with the French Lick Police Department used some quick thinking, not seeing any occupants outside the house, he began
pounding on the windows and doors in an attempt to warn occupants. The single occupant home at the time the fire started, was awakened by the Oficers attempts, quite literally saving the man's life. Just as the man exited the home, fire engulfed the room where he was sleeping. Just as the man exited the structure, Fire Crews arrived to find a residential home with heavy involvement and fire through the roof. The decision was made to use a defensive strategy due to heavy fire involvement and the roof beginning to collapse. Due to hydrants being shut of, and crews waiting on Water Company employees to arrive, water supply issues made it initially dificult to get this fire under control. Water company employees arrived within 5 minutes of notification after request and turned on the hydrant. The fire was brought under control around 6:30 AM.

No injuries were reported with this fire and only the single occupant was home at the time of the fire. Due to the heavily damaged and unsafe conditions near and within the structure, a determination was not able to be made at the time of this press release. Approximately 10 firefighters responded in 4 apparatus. All
units were clear of the scene by 7:35AM. Damages were estimated to be nearly $200,000..

Departments On-Scene Include:
Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department.
Springs Valley Fire Department.
IU Health Lifeline EMS
French Lick Police Department
Orange County Sherif's Department
Orange County EMA

Any Inquiries can be directed to Chief Logan Best.

Logan Best,
Fire Chief
Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department
P: 812-216-4355
Email: [email protected]

What a beautiful weekend for some extrication training! Members of Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department and Sp...
09/27/2026

What a beautiful weekend for some extrication training! Members of Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department and Springs Valley Fire Department came together for vehicle extrication training focused on strengthening our skills and our mutual aid response.
A huge thank you to Michael Philibin and Luke Ricketts for coming back for Year 2 and sharing their knowledge and experience with us. We may be a little biased, but these two guys are simply some of the best in not only the country, but the world! They teach vehicle extrication in multiple countries, and to have them come down here with us in small town French Lick is such a blessing! We truly appreciate the time and effort you both put into helping our departments become better prepared for the calls we face.
We’re already looking forward to Year 3!
Thank you to everyone who participated and continues to put in the work to make our departments, our crews, and our communities safer.


Also a special thank you to Howell Rescue, Elle’s on Elm, Seth Hopper with Hopper Mobile Solutions, Fields Auto Salvage, and Salem Wrecker Service! Without all of you this would not be possible year after year!

We have some HUGE news.
09/23/2026

We have some HUGE news.

***For Immediate Release***September 9th, 2026Morning Residential Structure Fire ResponseFRENCH LICK, IN – The Orange Co...
09/09/2026

***For Immediate Release***

September 9th, 2026

Morning Residential Structure Fire Response

FRENCH LICK, IN – The Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department and Springs Valley Fire Department, along with IU Health Lifeline EMS responded to the 2800 Block of South County Road1050 West just after 7 AM for a reported working residential structure fire. Crews arrived to find a mobile home heavily involved on the South Side of the structure. The decision was made to use a defensive strategy due to instability of the structure and the floors had already begun to give way. The majority of the fire was knocked down quickly, but access around the structure was limited and the structure had begun to collapse on itself making fire attack very difficult. The fire was brought under control at 8:43AM.

No injuries were reported with this fire and occupants were not home at the time this fire started. Due to the heavily damaged and unsafe conditions near and within the structure, a determination was not able to be made at the time of this press release. Approximately 10 firefighters responded in 5 apparatus. All
units were clear of the scene by 9:30 AM. Damages were estimated to be nearly $75,000 in property and contents.

Departments On-Scene Include:
Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department.
Springs Valley Fire Department.
IU Health Lifeline EMS.
Orange County EMA.

Any Inquiries can be directed to Logan Best.
Logan Best,

Fire Chief
Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department
P: 812-216-4355
Email: [email protected]

🌲🪾 Wildland Fire Training 🔥🚒Thursday evening, our members trained on wildland pump operations and drafting from a static...
08/21/2026

🌲🪾 Wildland Fire Training 🔥🚒

Thursday evening, our members trained on wildland pump operations and drafting from a static water source. This training helps prepare our crews to operate in remote areas where larger apparatus may not be able to access the scene.

Our wildland fleet includes: Utility 22, Rescue 22, Brush 22, and Tanker 3, giving us a versatile combination of water, off-road capability, and support. We are also fortunate to have strong mutual-aid partners at the local, state, and federal levels.

With changing weather conditions, we remind everyone to call 911 early if a fire begins getting out of control. We'd much rather arrive while the situation is manageable than respond after a small fire has become a major incident.

Stay alert. Stay safe. When in doubt, call it out. 🔥

A huge thank you to Air Methods Kentucky 7 for taking the time to come out and provide our members with valuable landing...
08/13/2026

A huge thank you to Air Methods Kentucky 7 for taking the time to come out and provide our members with valuable landing zone (LZ) training!
This training helps our firefighters better understand how to safely establish, secure, and manage a landing zone when an air medical helicopter is needed. Knowing how to work safely and efficiently with our air medical partners is critical when seconds matter.
We appreciate Kentucky 7 taking the time to train with us and continuing to build the strong working relationship!

********!!!!Volunteer Today!!!!********🚒🚨🧑‍🚒***Applicants may also fill out the Google Form in the attached link**🧑‍🚒🚨🚒h...
07/26/2026

********!!!!Volunteer Today!!!!********

🚒🚨🧑‍🚒***Applicants may also fill out the Google Form in the attached link**🧑‍🚒🚨🚒

https://forms.gle/pBQaHJaZndQQfyCQ6

🚨 Now In Service – Utility 22 🚨The members of Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department are proud to announce that ...
07/22/2026

🚨 Now In Service – Utility 22 🚨
The members of Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department are proud to announce that Utility 22, our new Polaris Ranger XP 1000, is officially in service!
This new UTV replaces our 2009 Kawasaki Mule, which has faithfully served our department and community for many years. We are grateful for the years of reliable service it provided.
Utility 22 will enhance our ability to respond to a variety of emergencies, including off-road rescues, brush fires, medical emergencies in difficult-to-access areas, and other incidents where a full-size apparatus cannot easily operate. Its improved capability, reliability, and versatility will allow our members to serve the community more safely and efficiently.
We would like to thank everyone who played a role in making this addition possible. Investments like this help ensure our firefighters have the equipment they need to protect the citizens of our community.

🚨 Training Update 🚨 Last night, members of Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department completed their annual driving...
06/19/2026

🚨 Training Update 🚨
Last night, members of Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department completed their annual driving refresher training.
To remain eligible to operate and drive department apparatus, members are required to successfully complete an EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operator Course), a road test, and a pump test each year.
This annual training ensures our members stay prepared, maintain their skills, and continue providing safe and effective service to our community.

Address

8133 W County Road 100 S
French Lick, IN
47432

Telephone

+18122164355

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