Jefferson County Fire Service
The Jefferson County Fire Service is an organization that coordinates the independent fire protection districts in Jefferson County, Kentucky. The JCFS was formed for the purpose of mutual aid, dispatch, training, and local standardization. The Shively Fire Department is the only suburban department that has not joined the JCFS; it uses the same dispatch and radio channels as the Louisville Division of Fire.
History
Jefferson County Fire Department
Before 1947 Jefferson County Fiscal Court operated the Jefferson County Fire Department. The department operated three engine companies from three stations equally spread across the unincorporated county land.Fire Taxing Districts
A chapter of Kentucky's codified set of laws, the Kentucky Revised Statutes allows for the incorporation of fire protection taxing districts in otherwise unincorporated areas. As the population of Jefferson County grew after World War II, small communities began to believe the services of the county fire department were wholly inadequate for their growing needs. These communities secured the votes necessary to establish fire protection districts. The districts levied a tax based on a property owner's total real estate worth and allowed for more money to be available exclusively for fire protection. Eventually, 21 separate districts were formed, completely covering all of Jefferson County outside of the Cities of Louisville and Shively. Since it was now unnecessary Jefferson County Fiscal Court disbanded the county fire department completely in 1964.Mergers
Effects of the 2003 Louisville – Jefferson County merger
The 2003 merger of Louisville and Jefferson County governments did little to affect the Jefferson County fire districts. Since then, other non-official names for JCFS have been coined such as "Louisville Metro Suburban Fire" and the "Suburban Division, Louisville Metro Fire"; however, since Louisville Metro Government has no direct control over the suburban fire departments, such references would be inaccurate and possibly misleading.The merger legislation permits the continuing existence of all governmental subdivisions of the county including cities and fire protection districts. It does, however, prohibit the incorporation of new ones. Consequently, true "mergers" of districts are not possible since a new governmental entity would necessarily be created, although several districts have chosen to dissolve and to be absorbed by neighboring districts.
Of the 21 fire protection districts extant in 2003, by mid-2021 over half had dissolved or were merged into other departments.
2003: Okolona – Black Mudd
The Okolona Fire Protection District absorbed the Black Mudd Fire District in 2003. Black Mudd station 1 became Okolona station 3.2004: Pleasure Ridge Park – South Dixie
The Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District absorbed the South Dixie Fire District in July 2004. South Dixie station 1 became Pleasure Ridge Park station 7, and South Dixie station 2 became Pleasure Ridge Park station 8.2005: Okolona – Edgewood
The Edgewood Fire District merged into the Okolona Fire Protection District in 2005. Edgewood station 1 became Okolona station 4. In 2010, this station was closed and torn down.2011: Lake Dreamland – Dixie Suburban
Dixie Suburban merged into the Lake Dreamland fire department in July 2011. Dixie Suburban station 1 became Lake Dreamland station 3, which currently serves as a storage and training facility.2018: East End mergers
Anchorage – Middletown
On March 1, 2018, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer signed the executive order making the merger between Anchorage Fire & EMS and the Middletown Fire Protection District official. The Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS Department is headquartered on Urton Lane, formerly home to Middletown Station 1.Jeffersontown – McMahan
On July 1, 2018, Jeffersontown Fire Department absorbed the McMahan Fire Protection District, which began operating in the Hikes Point area in 1955.St. Matthews – Lyndon
The Lyndon Fire Protection District merged into the St. Matthews Fire Protection District on July 1, 2018. With this merger, St. Matthews Fire and Rescue became responsible for fire protection services in the areas of St. Matthews, Lyndon, Hurstbourne, Norbourne Estates, Indian Hills, Graymoor Devondale, Plantation, Rolling Hills, Westwood, and Bellemeade.2019: East End mergers
On April 17, 2019, the boards of trustees for the Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS Department, and the Eastwood, Harrods Creek and Worthington fire districts voted to merge the latter three into the Anchorage Middletown department; the expanded department then merged, on July 1, 2019, making 11 stations covering 92 square miles of the East End of Jefferson County. Anchorage Middletown Chief Andy Longstreet remains as chief of the department, while the Eastwood, Harrods Creek and Worthington chiefs have taken on management roles within the expanded department.2020: Lake Dreamland merger
In June 2020, Lake Dreamland Fire Department was annexed by Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District. The annexation would allow the now defunct Lake Dreamland Fire Department to fully staff a Fire Engine 24/7 in the District and, in the addition; A new 24/7 Advanced Life Support Ambulance crew. However, up until now there is not enough Paramedics available. The Ambulance unit remains BLS until further notice.2021: Camp Taylor merger
In 2021, Camp Taylor Fire Protection District merged with the Beuchel Fire District. The combined district is serviced by the Buechel Fire Department.2022: Fern Creek – Buechel
In July 2022, Buechel Fire-EMS Department merged into Fern Creek Fire & EMS.Organization
Member districts of JCFS include all departments within Louisville-Jefferson County organized under KRS Chapter 75.Although not fire protection districts organized under Chapter 75 of the KRS, the City of Shively Fire Department and Louisville Division of Fire often participate with JCFS in training.
The JCFS is not a distinct fire department per se but a coordinating organization that facilitates cooperation among the suburban fire districts. JCFS does not have a chief or any type of hierarchy and has no binding executive or legislative authority over its membership. Instead it comprises various committees and associations that specialize in areas that affect the fire service in Jefferson County as a whole.
Most of the Jefferson County fire districts wear the Jefferson County Fire distinctive insignia patch on the right shoulder of their uniforms.
Fire departments
The Jefferson County Fire Service consists of 7 fire protection districts that collectively protect 333 square miles and 495,000 people, surrounding the original Louisville city limits:- Anchorage Middletown
- Fairdale
- Fern Creek
- Jeffersontown
- Okolona
- Pleasure Ridge Park
- Saint Matthews
JCFS special teams