The Madison Township - Gibsonburg Volunteer Fire Department is one of the best departments in the area and the men and women associated with the department are proud to represent it. Below, you will find a brief history of our organization, information on our current operations and acknowledgements to the personnel who serve the department and their community.

The department was established for the purpose of fire protection in February of 1898 after the village suffered devastating fires in 1895 and 1897, damaging and destroying several businesses. The first equipment, hoses, cart and rubber coats were ordered within a month of the department being formed. Initially, the village was divided into three districts with a trustee overseeing operations in each of these districts and reporting to the fire chief. Originally the department was for Gibsonburg only, but today it is run by the Madison Township Trustees and has entered into an agreement to protect both the village and township with the trustees providing funding.

Since the fire department's beginning, fund raising in the form of suppers, plays and ice cream socials were an important source of money for the purchase of new equipment. Today, the department continues fund raising efforts through events such as chicken bbq's, reverse raffles and participation in the Gibsonburg Homecoming event. GVFD Inc., a non profit organization, has also been created to provide financial support to the department.

The department purchased its first truck, a Ford Model T chemical truck in 1918 and equipment has continually modernized. The method of alerting the firemen to an emergency has also changed over the years from a very loud community whistle to the use of an individual pager system. Today's department is equipped with two engines (pumpers), water tanker, grass fighter, responder truck, air trailer and a rescue boat. Specialty equipment includes Jaws of Life, rescue air bags, thermal imaging devices, multi gas monitors, self contained breathing apparatuses and spare breathing air cylinders.

The department joined the Northwest Ohio Volunteer Fireman's Association in June of 1898 and has played a very active role in the organization ever since including hosting the annual convention in 1932, 1982, 1987 and 2018.

Currently, GVFD consists of a Chief, Assistant Chief,Captain, 7 Lieutenants and 50 Firefighters including an ever changing roster of Jr. Firefighters. The department on average responds to between 120 and 150 calls annually for fire, rescue, EMS and public service. The area covered is about 27 square miles including residential, commercial, industrial and rural farm properties. The department also participates in a mutual aid pact through the Sandusky County Firemen’s Association which insures back-up response in the event of a large-scale emergency. Many safety standards in effect require a large response for seemingly small fires. This helps the citizens and protects the firefighters.

GVFD maintains an interoperable communications system with all fire departments throughout Sandusky County and the surrounding area. In addition to maintaining base radio communications at the fire station, voice pagers for all members, inner department cell phone alerts, response tracking, with messaging, primary and secondary communication mobile radios in all trucks, and twenty-one portable radios are utilized by the department.

The Village has an ISO class of 5 and is constantly making efforts to lower it. This helps to reduce fire insurance rates. The Sandusky County 911 Center provides emergency dispatching 24 hours a day and insures that an appropriate response is made to any emergency.

GVFD also has access to the shared countywide resources, such as the Fire Investigation Team and Hazardous Material Team. Emergency medical services are provided by Sandusky County. Station # 14, which is 1.5 miles from the fire station, is staffed with highly skilled paramedics on a 24 hour basis.  Four other emergency medical stations are strategically located throughout the county.

Your department provides many other services – Fire Prevention, Public Education, Safety Inspection, and speakers, if requested, for many special topics. For additional information you can call (419) 637-2160.

The volunteers that make up the local fire service take a great deal of pride in their contribution toward keeping the Village of Gibsonburg a safe community!