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Operating Principles of the Penn Twp. Fire Dept. Operate through Teamwork and Mutual Respect Operate Ethically and with Integrity Honoring the Past, Preparing for the Future Core Values and Service Statements of the Penn Twp. Fire Dept.
In the early days Penn Township was largely farm country. Bridges, railroad underpasses and divided highways were not in demand. In fact the first bridge connecting the northern and southern parts of the township was not built until the late 1950’s, when Bittersweet Rd. was built to span the widest part of the St. Joseph River in the impoundment waters behind the Twin Branch Hydroelectric Dam.
The mission of the Fire Department is to protect the lives and property of the people of Penn Township from fires, natural disasters, and hazardous materials incidents; to save lives by providing emergency medical services; to prevent fires through prevention and education programs; and to provide a work environment that values health, wellness and cultural diversity and is free of harassment and discrimination.
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calls | 206 | 173 | 261 | 194 | 201 | 206 | 187 | 201 | 215 | 198 | 241 | 210 | 2,493 |
For Fire Reports:
mgerndt@pennfire.org
For EMS Reports:
rhershberger@pennfire.org
Message from the Fire Chief
On March 24th, local government officials took a significant and forward-thinking step by approving the unification of the Penn and Clay Fire Territories into a single, combined fire department. This new department will provide All-Hazard Emergency Services to seven communities—Clay, German, Harris, and Penn Townships, along with the towns of Indian Village, Osceola, and Roseland—serving approximately 100,000 residents.
This decision was not made lightly. Over the past few years, both departments have faced increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified firefighters and EMS professionals. The primary reason has been our inability, under the current funding structure, to offer wages that are competitive with surrounding communities. Simply put, we were at risk of falling behind in our ability to maintain the level of service our residents expect and deserve.
Both Penn and Clay Fire have long been recognized for providing high-quality service while maintaining some of the lowest fire protection tax rates in St. Joseph County. That commitment to fiscal responsibility remains unchanged. As part of this merger, the fire protection tax rate will increase from approximately $0.25 to $0.48 per $100 of assessed property value. It is important to clarify that this adjustment applies only to the fire protection portion of your property taxes—not your overall tax bill. Even with this change, our rate will remain among the lowest in the county.
This investment allows us to strengthen and stabilize your fire department. It ensures we can offer competitive, market-based wages, which is essential to attracting and retaining the highly trained professionals who respond when you call 911. It also allows us to improve efficiency, enhance service delivery, and better position our department for the future.
At its core, this merger is about people—both those we serve and those who serve. It is about ensuring that when you need us, there are highly trained, well-equipped, and extremely capable professionals ready to respond quickly and effectively.
We understand that any tax increase deserves thoughtful consideration, and we are committed to being transparent and accountable as we move forward. Should you have questions or concerns regarding the merger, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Our goal remains the same as it has always been: to provide the highest level of service in the most responsible way possible.
It is truly an honor to serve this community, and we are grateful for your ongoing trust and support.
Sincerely,
Michael Gerndt Jr. Fire Chief
Penn Township Fire Department
