The New Haven Common Council voted in a special meeting on Wednesday night to pass an ordinance that would expand the Woodburn – New Haven Fire and EMS Protection Territory, also known as East Central Fire and EMS.
City of New Haven Indiana news release:
New Haven Council Votes on Fire Territory Expansion
New Haven, Indiana (March 25, 2026) — The New Haven Common Council voted in a special meeting on Wednesday night to pass an ordinance that would expand the Woodburn – New Haven Fire & EMS Protection Territory, also known as East Central Fire & EMS.
This move comes five years after the creation of East Central Fire & EMS Protection Territory, a consolidation of New Haven’s and Woodburn’s respective departments.
Like the 2021 consolidation, the decision to unify existing fire territories will provide greater coverage, increased responses and offer fiscal advantages as well. These changes were made as a result of declining volunteerism and inconsistencies in resources and services across the county.
“Supporting this process was an easy choice,” said New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael. “The health and safety of our community is our top priority, and this is the next logical step in caring for our city.”
A statement from the Allen County Fire & EMS Unification team notes that this process is a strategic, incremental approach designed to keep local communities at the heart of the matter, ensuring each city and township has representation.
As a member of New Haven’s Common Council and Board of Public Works, a New Haven resident and a retired firefighter, Bob Byrd is confident this process is the right move for New Haven and the county overall. “It’s providing the highest quality services to our citizens,” Byrd said. “That’s the bottom line, to save lives.”
While this change will increase services, rates are anticipated to be $0.28, which is the current rate of East Central Fire & EMS.
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