Dubois County Residents Guide to Emergency and Local Government Contacts

When a tree falls on your roof at midnight, a water main breaks outside your Ferdinand home, or you need to pay your spring property tax installment and aren't sure of the deadline, the last thing you want is to be searching blindly for a phone number. This guide compiles the verified contacts, addresses, and practical steps that Dubois County residents across Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, Holland, and every township in between are most likely to need, organized by the situations that actually prompt a call.

When Every Second Counts: 911 and Emergency Response

Dial 911 for any life-threatening emergency: medical crises, active fires, in-progress violent crimes, and significant traffic collisions. If you're uncertain whether your situation qualifies, apply a simple test: is there immediate danger, severe injury, or ongoing criminal activity? If yes to any of those, call 911 without hesitation. The county's 911 dispatch is the fastest routing point to fire, EMS, and law enforcement simultaneously, and it operates around the clock every day of the year.

Non-Emergency Public Safety: The Right Number for the Right Jurisdiction

Not every police matter warrants 911, and using the correct non-emergency line keeps the emergency system clear for genuine crises. Here are the primary contacts:

• Dubois County Sheriff's Office: Main line (812) 482-3522. Non-emergency dispatch: (812) 482-9111. The sheriff handles county-wide patrols, jail bookings, warrant service, and records requests for unincorporated areas and smaller communities outside city limits.
• Jasper Police Department: (812) 482-2255. Located at 309 E Sixth St, Jasper, under Chief Chad Dick. Call for ordinance enforcement, non-emergency suspicious activity, or property crime reports within Jasper city limits.
• Huntingburg Police Department: Contact for non-emergency matters inside Huntingburg city limits. The number is listed on the City of Huntingburg's official municipal website.

Knowing jurisdiction before you call saves time. The sheriff's non-emergency line at (812) 482-9111 is the safest default if you are unsure which agency covers your address.

Fire and EMS: When to Call the Station vs. When to Call 911

For actual structure fires, vehicle fires, or severe medical emergencies, 911 remains the only correct call. Your local volunteer or municipal fire department's direct line is appropriate for lower-urgency inquiries: reporting a small contained spill that doesn't pose immediate danger, asking about open burn regulations before you light a brush pile, or notifying the station about a non-emergency hazard on your property. Dubois County is served by a network of volunteer fire departments across its townships; the county's official website at duboiscountyin.org maintains an updated directory of those department contacts.

Property Taxes: Deadlines, Payments, and the Treasurer's Office

The Dubois County Treasurer's Office is the hub for property tax billing across all 39,209 parcels in the county. Tax statements are typically mailed in spring, with the spring installment due in May; the fall installment follows later in the year. Payment options generally include online payment through the county's official portal, installment plans, and in-person payment at the treasurer's office. Because exact due dates and accepted payment methods can shift year to year, confirm the current deadlines at duboiscountyin.org before mailing a check or visiting in person. The treasurer's office also handles liquor license clearances, mobile home title transfers, and Innkeepers' Tax collection, so it is a frequent stop for small business owners as well as homeowners.

If you need to look up your parcel number or verify your bill before paying, the Dubois County Auditor maintains a searchable tax list online. Searching by last name is the most reliable method, particularly if your property has been split or combined in the last two years.

Roads, Closures, and Getting Potholes Fixed

Two separate agencies share responsibility for Dubois County roads, and calling the wrong one wastes time:

• INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) handles state highways and interstates running through the county, including lane restrictions, bridge work, and major closures. INDOT maintains a statewide traveler information line and an online road condition map.
• Dubois County Highway Department handles local county road damage, drainage issues affecting county-maintained roads, and winter plowing schedules. For a pothole on a county road or a ditch flooding your rural driveway, this is the office to contact. The department's number and address are listed under the departments section at duboiscountyin.org.

If you're in Jasper or Huntingburg and the road issue is on a city street, contact the respective city street or public works department rather than the county highway department.

Utilities and Water Service

Water billing, hydrant flushing notices, and boil-water advisories are all handled at the municipal level. Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, and Holland each operate their own city water departments. If you receive a boil-water notice or notice a water main break, your first call should be to your city's water utility, not the county. Sign up for municipal alert systems and follow your city's official social media accounts for advance notice of planned maintenance that could affect service pressure or water quality.

Public Health and Social Services

The Dubois County Health Department handles vaccinations, immunization records, communicable disease reporting, and community health programs. During periods of public health concern, the department also issues advisories and coordinates with the Indiana Department of Health. Contact information is available through the county's main site.

For residents facing financial hardship, TRI-CAP and similar community action nonprofits provide critical support: heating and cooling assistance, resource referrals, and connections to low-income support programs. These organizations serve residents across the full county, not just those within city limits.

The Indiana Department of Child Services maintains a local Dubois County office at 1045 Wernsing Road in Jasper, reachable at (812) 482-2585, with office hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Schools and Youth Services

School closings, enrollment questions, athletic schedules, and student transportation are managed at the school corporation level, not the county level. The three primary corporations serving Dubois County are Jasper Community Schools, Southridge School Corporation, and Forest Park School Corporation. Each maintains its own administrative office and website with contact information for enrollment offices, principals, and transportation departments.

Youth-focused nonprofits such as YoungLife and local Boys and Girls Club chapters post volunteer opportunities and program information on their own websites and social channels.

Voter Registration and Elections

The Dubois County Clerk's office manages voter registration, polling place assignments, early voting logistics, and official election results. During election seasons, candidate lists, sample ballots, and polling locations are posted on the county's official website as well as the Indiana Secretary of State's election division site. Register or update your address well in advance of any election deadline; the clerk's office can confirm current registration cutoffs and what identification is required at the polls.

Protecting Yourself from Scams Impersonating Local Offices

Scammers have increasingly targeted residents by impersonating county treasurer offices, sheriff departments, and utility companies. If someone calls claiming to be from a local government office and demands immediate payment or personal information, hang up and call the published number from the official county website directly. Legitimate government offices do not demand same-day wire transfers or gift cards.

Practical Steps to Take Today

Before you ever need these contacts in an emergency, take ten minutes now:

• Save the Sheriff's non-emergency line, (812) 482-9111, and your city's police non-emergency number in your phone under a label like "Police Non-Emergency."
• Verify your property parcel number and confirm your current tax installment balance through the county auditor's online portal.
• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your mobile device and register for your municipality's local alert or notification system.
• Keep a current list of essential documents, including insurance policies, mortgage information, and medication lists, in a readily accessible location at home.

The difference between a manageable crisis and a chaotic one often comes down to preparation made weeks or months earlier. In Dubois County, that preparation starts with knowing exactly who to call.