The Morgantown Volunteer Fire Department has proudly served the 3,600 residents of Jackson Township, Morgan County, Indiana, since its early days as a small, volunteer-led bucket brigade. Department. We officially became Morgantown Rural Fire Department, INC in 1949.
From humble beginnings to a modern, well-equipped department, Morgantown’s firefighters have always shared one mission: to protect their neighbors through dedication, teamwork, and service.
Morgantown Rural Fire Department, INC began in 1949. The Morgantown Lions Club wanted to help with the growth of the fire department. The Lions Club purchased a brand new 1948 Dodge Fire Engine as our first official truck as the new Incorporation. The Lions Club has continued to be a community partner ever since that day.
The Morgantown Rural Fire Department filed as a non-profit organization with the Indiana Secretary of State on December 27, 1949.
In 1924, before that official registration, the town had already organized a small fire department and purchased an automatic pumper truck, operating out of the station at 120 W. Washington Street.
As time went on, the town department and rural department joined forces, combining volunteers, equipment, and funding to create one unified Morgantown Fire Department.
This partnership allowed for expanded coverage, modernized response methods, and stronger collaboration with nearby departments.
Today’s Morgantown Fire Department continues to operate as a volunteer and part-time staffed department, proudly maintaining the same spirit of community service that built it generations ago.
Our team includes 12 active volunteer firefighters who dedicate their time, skills, and courage to protecting Morgantown and Jackson Township. In addition to traditional fire and rescue services, the department is home to a Large Animal Rescue Team that specializes in education, preparedness, and the rescue of farm and large animals. We also maintain grain bin rescue equipment specifically designed to safely rescue individuals who become entrapped by grain in agricultural bins. These specialized capabilities reflect the rural needs of our community and our commitment to being prepared for a wide range of emergencies.
Current Apparatus and Equipment
These resources allow us to provide comprehensive Fire, Rescue, and Basic Life Support (BLS) EMS services, with part-time staffing in place to ensure 24/7 readiness.
Morgantown firefighters are trained to state and national standards and maintain ongoing certifications in firefighting, rescue, medical response, and specialized rescue disciplines.
Over the decades, Morgantown firefighters have answered countless calls, from house fires and storm responses to medical emergencies and mutual aid for neighboring towns.
Even today, our department assists with large-scale incidents throughout the region, demonstrating the same collaboration and commitment that defined its beginnings.
From the department’s earliest days to today’s modern apparatus, one thing has remained constant: Morgantown’s volunteers have always answered the call to serve their community.
The Morgantown Fire Department continues to honor its roots by engaging the community through fundraisers, educational programs, and local events, traditions that began nearly a century ago.
Residents can still support the department today by participating in events, volunteering, or simply taking time to learn about fire safety and preparedness.
Learn more about the founding of the Morgantown Fire Department by viewing the original 1949 Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Indiana.
These documents mark the official beginning of organized fire protection for Jackson Township and reflect the dedication of the early volunteers who built this department from the ground up.
