The Metamora Fire Department has proudly served the Metamora community and surrounding areas since 1972. As a fully volunteer department, we are committed to protecting life, property, and the spirit of our community through emergency response, mutual aid, and public service.

We provide primary emergency services to the Metamora area, with mutual aid support to nearby towns including Laurel, Batesville, and Brookville — with Laurel being our primary mutual aid partner. Whether responding to structure fires, vehicle extrications, or water rescues, our team is trained and ready to serve in any situation.

In addition to fire suppression and rescue operations, we actively support our community through search and rescue efforts, public safety education, and community involvement. Our members are your neighbors, friends, and family — volunteering their time and risking their lives to make sure Metamora and its surrounding communities are safe.

We are proud of our history and the legacy of service we’ve built over the last 50+ years. As we continue to grow and adapt to the changing needs of our area, one thing remains constant: our unwavering dedication to serving the people of Metamora and beyond.

If you have questions about our department, want to learn more, or are interested in volunteering, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks for stopping by — we’re glad you’re here!

The Metamora Volunteer Fire Department was officially established on September 11, 1972, following a series of devastating events that made one thing clear — Metamora needed its own fire protection.
The first major turning point came in 1968, when a large fire broke out at the Metamora School, shocking the community and exposing the town’s vulnerability without a local fire department. The loss deeply impacted residents and sparked early conversations about forming a department.
Then, in June of 1972, fate struck again — three separate fires occurred on the same day, underscoring the urgency and reinforcing the need for immediate action. These incidents galvanized local citizens into organizing and planning.
Shortly afterward, a group of determined local men gathered at The Hearth Stone, a well-known Metamora restaurant, and made a pivotal decision. Over coffee and conversation, they laid the groundwork for what would become the Metamora Volunteer Fire Department.
Since that day in 1972, the department has grown into a vital part of Franklin County’s emergency response system — a team of trained, dedicated volunteers carrying on the founders’ commitment to community, safety, and service.

Interesting Fact:
One of the main events that inspired the formation of our department was the tragic 1968 Metamora School fire. In an incredible turn of history, over 50 years later, in 2019, we built our brand new firehouse on that very same property — the exact location where the school once stood and where the fire that started it all occurred. It’s a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, and how deep our roots run in this community.

Founding Members
The original formation of the department would not have been possible without the vision, courage, and dedication of these local men:
• Roy Alsman
• Ralph Lech
• Wilson Pennington
• Russell Baker
• Alvin Becker
• Vernon Riley
• George Mienking
• Robert O. Wilson
• Robert Swarts
Their legacy lives on in every call we answer and every life we protect.