JSP Joint Fire District

St. Paris Joint Fire District History & Information

The St. Paris Fire Department was officially established on September 19, 1884, following a devastating fire in November 1883 that destroyed 49 homes and businesses in the downtown district. The original department consisted of 20 volunteer firefighters, and the Steamer Pumper on display in the station lobby is the very first engine purchased in 1884.


Around 1935, Johnson Township merged with the St. Paris Fire Department (exact date unknown due to records lost in the 1995 flood), creating the Johnson-St. Paris Fire Department. Later, in November 1988, voters approved a tax levy to establish a fire district, and the JSP Joint Fire District officially formed on January 1, 1990.


In January 2009, the St. Paris EMS merged with the fire district. Construction of the current station at 403 W Main St. began in the fall of 2009 and the facility officially opened in April 2010.


Today, the JSP Joint Fire District responds to over 1000 fire and EMS calls annually, supported by 50 members. The district’s fleet includes:


  • 3 EMS Squads
  • 3 Engines
  • 1 Tanker
  • 1 Grass Truck
  • 1 Utility Vehicle with Special Ops Trailer
  • 18’ Rescue Boat (added in 2016 for water rescues)


The station is staffed 24/7 by two district members.


In 2018, the district received a $53,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), which funded replacement of the Amkus rescue system (Jaws of Life) that had been in service for 23 years.

Photo of Fire Chief McCulla

Fire Chief:

Vance M. McCulla


Current JSP Fire District Board Members:


PRESIDENT:

Mark Traylor, resident of Johnson Township


VICE PRESIDENT:

Jason Holescher, Trustee of Johnson Township


MEMBER:

Terry Ervin, Council Member, Village of St. Paris


MEMBER:

Stu Everett, resident Village of St. Paris