Town merges police officer, firefighter duties

WHITESTOWN, Ind. (WISH) - Police officers will soon be fighting fires and firefighters will soon be carrying guns in Whitestown. The town is set to graduate its first class of cross trained first responders Tuesday.

Whitestown's police chief says the cross training program is a result of a public safety budget that could not keep up with the town’s growth. Both police officers and firefighters will be trained to assist the other in supportive roles.

“It’s just a matter of changing roles if they pull up in the middle of the night and there is a residence and there is smoke showing. They are going to be popping their police gear gun belts off, stepping into their fire gear and taking on that role,” said Whitestown Police Chief Dennis Anderson.

Fire training for police officers takes about two weeks. Firefighters who get training in law enforcement must attend a 16-week police academy.

The town’s first female officer is set to graduate, making her also Whitestown’s first female firefighter.

Graduation is scheduled for 5:30 Tuesday night in the showroom of Global Energy Products, 4212 Perry Blvd. The public is invited to attend.