The mission of the St. John Fire Department is to save lives and protect property in the Town of St. John, the immediate areas surrounding St. John, and wherever the department may be dispatched to provide mutual aid and assistance. The St. John Fire Department will at all times strive to maintain the highest standards of training and expertise with regards to Emergency Medical Response, Hazardous Material Response, Fire Suppression, and Rescue Operations. The St. John Fire Department will promote the prevention of emergencies caused by fire, and other man-made or natural disasters. This will be accomplished through fire safety education and enforcement of relevant laws and ordinances.
The St. John Fire Department is made up of approximately 40 volunteer/paid-on-call, and 8 full time members. The full-time staff includes all State Certified firefighters and licensed pre-hospital medics. 20 of the paid-on-call members are also Emergency Medical Technicians. They are the support group that continues to be the foundation of our success, responding to both medical and fire-related emergencies.
The. St. John Fire Department is a well-trained, highly motivated team of public servants. Each member represents the "best there is" regarding aggressive, disciplined, competent personnel. The members have, for many years, been recognized throughout the community for their energy and commitment to those in need.
The members have built and shared a tradition of quality and excellence with every citizen in St John and the surrounding area. The St. John Fire Department also enjoys a solid working relationship with the neighboring fire departments that offer and receive mutual aid when needed.
The St. John Fire Department stays ready and prepared to answer the call of public safety every minute of every day. There is no greater challenge to face. The rewards can be found with the successful results of that challenge.
Brian Beach
Title: Fire Fighter / Paramedic
Brian has been employed by the Town of St. John as a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic since October 2007. His IN State Certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Officer I, Fire Medic IV, Instructor II/III, EMT-P. He also has PALS and American Heart Association BLS Instructor certifications.
Brian is also a member of the Burns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department.
Joe Borgia joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2007. His IN state certifications include Basic FF and FF I/II.
Joe has a Bachelor's degree in Business Managment from Indiana University, Bloomington. He also was in the Trade School Apprenticeship (4 years) for Local 597 Pipefitters.
Joe is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fisihing and hunting any chance he gets.
Larry Bustamante joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2003. His Indiana State Certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II and EMT-B.
Larry works full time for the Town of St. John as the Town Mechanic and is also a part time EMT for the Fire Department.
Jerry Dedo has been a member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 2002. His certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Instructor and Hazmat Awareness/Operations in Indiana and Illinois.
He is also a Career Fire Fighter in Illinois.
Dave Denney joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2004. He is a Career Fire Fighter in Gary, Indiana also. Dave's Indiana State Certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Instructor II/III, Hazmat Materials, Aircraft Crash & Rescue, LP Gas Emergencies and EMT-B.
He also has a Degree of Associates in Applied Science Technology.
Rich joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 1998 and became a Career Firefighter/EMT in March 2002 for the Town. His IN State Certifications include, Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Medic II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I, Fire Inspector I & II, and Fire Investigator I.
Rich is also a Certified ERD Ice Diver, ERD Dry Suit Diver, River Diver Specialist, Search and Recovery Diver, & ERD 1 Diver.
Jim joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 1992. His IN state certifications include EMT-B, Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Inspector I & II, Fire Officer I, Fire Medic II, Haz-Mat First Responder- Level 1.
Jim has a B.S. in Microbiology from Penn State University.
He has been a member of the fire service industry for 30 years and served on various departments in Pennslyvania, Missouri and Indiana.
Jim has earned various awards/achievements including 15 years of service on SJVFD and EMT of the Year.
Asst. Chief, Training Ken Gembala joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 1976. His IN state certifications include EMT-B, Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Inspector I & II, Fire Officer I, Instructor II/III and Fire Medic II.
Jeff Gembala has been a member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 2000. His Indiana state certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II and Instructor I.
Jon joined St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2007. His IN state certifications include Mandatory/Basic Firefighter and Fire Fighter I/II.
Jon is currently pursuing a BA in nursing at I.U.N.
Mike joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2003. He became a full time Fire Figher/EMT for the Town of St. John in June 2005. His IN State Certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Medic II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I & II and Hazmat 1st Responder Awareness. He is also a certified diver.
Chad joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2008. He is currently a probationary memeber. His IN State Certifications include: Mandatory/Basic; Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II.
Ray Houston joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2004. His Indiana state certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Officer I, Fire Medic IV, and Safety Officer.
Ray is a career Fire Fighter/Paramedic and is also a part time Fire Fighter/Paramedic for Town of St. John.
Don Kuhlman joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2001. His Indiana state certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II and Fire Investigator I. Don is also certified with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). He is a Certified ERD Ice Diver, ERD Dry Suit Diver, River Diver Specialist, Search and Recovery Diver, & ERD 1 Diver.
Don has an Associates Degree in Electrical/Electronic/Robotics Technology Pursuing BA from DePaul University.
Paul Lukso has been a member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 2003. His Indiana State Certifications include Fire Fighter I/II and EMT-B.
Paul is also a part time EMT for the St. John Fire Department and was voted Fire Fighter of the Year in 2005 by SJVFD members.
Tom has been employed by the Town as a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic since 2007. His Indiana State Certifications include: EMT-P, Basic Fire Fighter, Fire Fighter I/II, Hazmat 1st Responder Awareness and Hazmat 1st Responder Operations.
He is also a member of the Lowell Volunteer Fire Department.
Bob joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2004. His Indiana State Certifications include: EMT-B, Basic Fire Fighter, and Fire Fighter I/II.
He is also a part time EMT for the Town.
Mike Moffitt joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2000. His Indiana state certifications include EMT-B, Fire Fighter I/II and Fire Medic II.
Mike is also a career police officer with the Town.
Pete Monix has been a member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since January 05, 1959. He is a 38 year veteran of the SJVFD and still going strong. Pete has held varous positons during that time including:
Mike Muenich joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 1967. His IN State Certifications include: EMT-B, Fire Instructor II/III and Fire Inspector I/II.
Mark Olson joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2005. Prior to that he served 11 years with the Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Force. His IN state certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Medic II, Fire Officer I, Hazmat Operations. Mark is also a part time EMT for the St. John Fire Dept.
Mark is married to his wife Lori, and they have two children, Morgan and Jordan.
Jorge joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 1988. His Indiana State Certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Driver/Operator & Fire Medic I.
Tom Redar joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 1983. His Indiana State Certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Medic I, Fire Officer I, Fire Inspector I/II and Instructor II/III.
Michael Schilling has been an active member in the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 2002. His Indiana State Certifications include Fire Fighter I/II and EMT-B.
He works full time for the Town of St. John Public Works Dept. and is a part time EMT for St. John Fire.
Michael is a graduate of Lake Central High School, Class of 2000.
Tim was hired in July 2007 as a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic for the Town of St. John. His IN State Certifications include: Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Officer I, HAZMAT Awareness, HAZMAT Operations, HAZMAT Technician, Driver/Operator Engineer and EMT-P. He also holds CPR, ACLS, PALS and PHTLS Certifications.
Tim has over 8 years experience as a Fire Fighter, including P.O.C., Reserve and Career. He has served in EMS and or Fire Positions with Northwest Homer F.D.P., Rural/Metro Ambulance, Washington Township Fire Dept., Fishers Fire Dept., Community North Hospital (Indianapolis), The Indiana Heart Hopsital, Prompt Ambulance, Merrillville EMS, and Porter Co. EMS.
Title: Deputy Chief/EMS Director Phone: 219-365-6034 Email Don Strom
Don Strom, is a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic for the Town of St. John and also serves as our EMS Director. He has been an active member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 1993. His IN State Certifications include: EMT-P, Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Officer I/II, Fire Officer Strategy and Tactics, Fire Medic IV, Hazmat 1st Responder Awareness, Fire Inspector I/II, and Fire Instructor I.
Terry has been a member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 1999. His IN state certifications include: EMT-B, Fire Fighter I/II and Fire Medic II. He is also a certified car seat inspector.
Title: Fire Fighter / Paramedic Phone: 219-365-6034
Jessica is a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic for the Town of St. John. She has also been a member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 2002. Her IN State Certifications include: EMT-P, Basic Fire Fighter, Fire Fighter I/II, and Fire Medic IV.
Eric joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2007. His IN State Certifications include Basic Fire Fighter, and Fire Fighter I/II.
He has a Bachelors of Science degree in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois, graduated in 1999.
He is a career IL State Certified Firefight III and Paramedic.
Curtis has member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 2006. His IN state certifications include Basic Fire Fighter, Fire Fighter I/II and EMT-B.
Joe has been a member of the St. John Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. His Indiana State Certifications include Fire Fighter I/II, Hazmat 1st Responder Awareness.
Matt Wilkinson joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 2005. His Indiana State Certifications include Fire Fighter I/II and Fire Medic II.
Matt is also a part time EMT for the Town of St. John/Fire Department.
Chief Willman joined the St. John Volunteer Fire Department in 1981. In 1996 he became the Full Time Fire Chief for the Town.
Some of his Certifications include State Certified Fire Inspector I/II, Fire Officer, Fire Medic II and EMT-B.
