Matt Aker, Fire Chief
1616 N. Franklin Street
Phone 260.726.4500
E-mail Chief Aker
A Message from the Chief
As Fire Chief I welcome you to the Portland Fire Department’s web page. The Portland Fire Department is a combination department that currently employs 8 full time personnel and 20 part time paid on call firefighters. Our department provides fire protection to over 120 square miles which includes the City of Portland, Wayne, Greene, Jefferson and Pike Townships.
It is our focus to provide the highest quality services to our community. Our department provides the following services: fire suppression, basic life support, non transport EMS, auto extrication, rescue and special operations, hazardous materials response at the operations level, fire code enforcement, and fire investigations. We also provide fire safety programs to local schools and conduct group tours of our fire station. (If you would like to schedule a tour contact the fire department 260-726-4500 260-726-4500)
I am committed to providing the highest level of service to the citizens of our community and visitors alike. If you wish to speak with myself please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.
We will provide a safe and professional response to fire, medical and environmental emergencies. To minimize the loss of life and property through suppression, medical first response, rescue education, code enforcement, investigation and fire prevention.
History of the Portland Fire Department
On February 12, 1912 a group of ten men met at the fire department in a session for the purpose of starting an organization to be known as the Portland Volunteer Firemen’s Association. C.O. Headington was named first president of the association. As the city of Portland progressed the city council agreed to hire fulltime firefighters to man the station thus creating the Portland Fire Department with 3 fulltime firefighters and 20 volunteer firefighters. In 1919 the city council voted to purchase their first motor powered fire engine. The truck was purchased from American Lafrance Fire Engine Company at a price of $10,250.00. In 1929 the city of Portland accepted a bid in the amount of $19,000.00 for the construction of a new fire station to be built on the same location as the old station. This new station was completed and occupied in 1930.
The Departments fleet of trucks, include a 75ft Aerial ladder, 2 Fire Engines, 2,100 gallon Tanker, Rescue truck, 2 Brush trucks and a Foam trailer. Today’s Fire Station was built in 2003 and is 18,000+ square feet. It is located at 1616 N. Franklin St.
A Way to Say Thanks to Hoosier First Responders...
On a daily basis, many of your fellow Hoosiers put your safety first. Members of the fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical services from across Indiana make the well-being of their fellow citizens their top priority when called to respond to an incident with their expertise.
Now, there is a way you can show Hoosier first responders your support and gratitude for their commitment to their fellow citizens. The next time you renew your vehicle's plate, ask for a "Secure Indiana" license plate.
The revenue from "Secure Indiana" license plate sales funds the Indiana Homeland Security Foundation, formerly the Emergency Management, Fire and Building Services, and Public Safety Training Foundation. The Foundation, one of the first of its kind in the nation, offers financial support for critical public safety needs across Indiana.
The Foundation funds public safety projects at the local level. Local public safety organizations in your communities are eligible to apply for projects such as equipping emergency responders with personal protective equipment, acquiring equipment for use by emergency responders, and training for emergency responders. In 2006, The Foundation awarded over $400,000 in grant funds to communities throughout the state.
