FAQ: Fire & EMS Proposal for Bean Blossom Township

As part of our ongoing effort to answer resident questions about the proposed fire services
agreement, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions received so far. Below are
responses from Fire Chief Kevin Patton of the Ellettsville Fire Department (EFD).

Q: How many calls does Ellettsville Fire currently respond to in Bean Blossom Township?
A: In 2025 so far, Bean Blossom Fire has been dispatched 130 times. Ellettsville Fire has
assisted on 38 of those calls:
  • 19 calls were mutual aid (Bean Blossom was already on scene)
  • 19 calls were because Bean Blossom Fire did not respond
Q: Will this proposal increase taxes for Bean Blossom residents?
A: No. In fact, for the first two years, the township would save money.
  • In years 1 and 2, Ellettsville provides full fire and EMS coverage at no cost.
  • In year 3, the township begins paying what it currently pays Bean Blossom Fire, adjusted by a typical growth rate (~4%).
Q: Will the Bean Blossom (Stinesville) fire station still be used?
A: At this time, the Stinesville station is not part of the contract. However, future use could be considered if:
  • The township funds staffing for the station
  • There is demonstrated community interest and budget support
Q: Can current Bean Blossom volunteers join the Ellettsville Fire Department?
A: Yes. Bean Blossom volunteers would be eligible to join EFD if they:
  • Pass a medical physical and respirator clearance
  • Meet the same standards required of all EFD volunteers

Ellettsville would cover the cost of these clearances, just as it does for its current roster.

Q: Why does this funding matter if EFD already provides mutual aid?
A: There’s a major difference between mutual aid and primary responsibility:
  • Mutual aid is occasional backup
  • Under this proposal, EFD becomes the primary responder—meaning no delays, full coverage, and direct accountability
  • Starting in year 3, EFD would absorb the funding currently going to Bean Blossom Fire, aligning responsibility with resources
Q: How would response times improve?
A: Currently, if Bean Blossom Fire doesn’t respond to a call:
  • Dispatch tones out once
  • If no response in 3 minutes, the call is repeated
  • If still no response in 6 minutes, it is finally redirected to Ellettsville Fire
This is a manual process that depends on dispatcher availability—meaning delays can exceed 6
minutes in critical emergencies.

Under the proposal, EFD would be dispatched immediately, eliminating this delay and providing
faster, more reliable response times for Bean Blossom residents.

Additional questions? Reach out to Ellettsville Fire Department or attend an upcoming public