INDIANA – A newly introduced bill in the Indiana House of Representatives would eliminate fire protection districts and territories throughout the state, including Lawrence and Monroe Counties, with Marion County as the sole exception.
House Bill 1233, authored by Representative Karen Engleman (R-District 70), would transfer fire protection and emergency services responsibilities from township trustees to county executives. The legislation requires counties to develop comprehensive fire plans, with county emergency management directors serving as fire chiefs.
Under the proposed law, incorporated towns with populations under 1,000 would face additional scrutiny. These municipalities must submit reports detailing their services and operating costs by November 1, 2025, and every four years thereafter. Towns with operating costs exceeding service delivery costs could face dissolution by county legislative bodies.
The Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association (IVFA) has publicly opposed the measure, warning that centralizing control under county leadership could result in slower emergency response times and diminished local input in fire protection services. The organization urges residents to contact their state representatives to oppose the bill.
The legislation, which received its first reading on January 9 in the House Committee on Local Government, would take effect on January 1, 2027, if signed into law. Rep. Engleman, who authored the bill, is on the committee reviewing the legislation.
The bill can be read here.
