With the blessing of the Warsaw Board of Works and Public Safety, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory will serve as a host for dive training classes in 2013.

Warsaw Fire Chief Mike Brubaker asked for the board’s blessing to host five classes locally that will be taught by Dive Rescue International. “My goal is that we be at the cutting edge of knowledge and we’ll also get that by interacting with other divers,” he said.

In his research, Brubaker said one of the closest classes he could find was held in Florida. By Warsaw being able to serve as a host, up to five local emergency responders could take the classes free of charge, and the classes would bring in divers from all over the country.

“It’s really a win-win situation for us,” Brubaker added, explaining that the city would not have to pay to send divers to training in other states. Additionally, Warsaw Community High School and the Kosciusko County YMCA have offered free use of their pools for training so expenses to the city will be limited only to providing local transportation to instructors of Dive Rescue International.

A total of 5 classes will be hosted locally with the first, Dive Rescue 1, beginning July 7, and the last class, Dive Rescue 1 Trainer, to begin July 23.

Each class has a limited required number of divers who must take part. As long as the minimum number of paid participants is met, Warsaw will receive up to 5 free enrollments. “Even if we have to pay for one or two spots, we still win” by not having to request out of state travel, said Brubaker.

In other B.O.W. business, a contract was signed for Paula Bowman to serve as the city’s special events coordinator. Among the events Bowman will be in charge of include First Friday events and maintaining an events calendar.

Also signed was a contract with Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation. KEDCo will received $50,000 in support from the city to continue with economic development efforts.

The next B.O.W. meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, in the new city hall. B.O.W. meetings are generally held the first and third Fridays of each month, but a scheduling conflict in January accounts for the date change.

The B.O.W. is made up of Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, Charlie Smith and Jeff Grose.