Daleville Volunteer Fire Department formed in 1944 as a “bucket brigade.” Dr A.O. Tucker was our first Fire Chief. The department held meetings at Daleville High School Gym at 2pm, on the last Sunday of each month. As the department grew, they were able to purchase 2 pump trucks, and a tanker truck. Those trucks were housed in different locations: Gett’s Garage (Sr32), Moore’s Place (Sater Electric), and eventually in a building behind the American Legion, when it located uptown. That building burned down.

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In 1945 Salem Township Trustee Charles Shelby allotted supplies to build a new fire station. It is located directly behind The Daleville Post Office. During our stay there, the building obtained a couple of Army 6×6’s that were made into tankers, and acquired a Semi-tanker that could hold 5,000 gallons of water.

In 1975, the Salem Township Trustee built a new fire station, at our present location on Daleville Rd. This gave the members much needed room to grow and expand operations. At that time the department had a 1968 Ford/Howe pump truck, built in Anderson, IN. They also had a 1976 Ford/FMC Pump Truck, which was built in Tipton, IN, a 5,000 gallon Semi-tanker, and 2 army 6×6’s.

In 1980, our name was changed to Salem Township Volunteer Fire Department. During this time, the members saw a need for a rescue truck, to assist traffic collisions. The members purchased a 1908 Chevy Chassis, and as a team, built our very own rescue truck. The members also decided they needed an ambulance for Daleville, since the county ambulance resided in downtown Muncie, which at the time was a 20-30 minute drive. In late 1980, Salem Township/Daleville Emergency Medical Services was a separate volunteer service, and has continually served the community as a volunteer service, since.

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In 1990, the department again faced challenges in having enough space to house all of the FIRE/EMS apparatus. Salem Township and EMS added on to the fire station, to create space for the ambulance service to operate.

Today, the department has continually expanded services that include Hazmat Response, Rescue, and Advanced Life Support. In early 2016 the Salem Township Advisory Board, Salem Township Trustee, and Daleville Town Board voted to form the Daleville/Salem Township Fire Territory. This merged the volunteer fire department, and the volunteer emergency medical services into one agency. We have held the same meeting time and date since 1944.