Turkey Creek Township fire board Monday unanimously approved $7,576 for the fire department to purchase diagnostic equipment to aid in troubleshooting mechanical issues with its vehicular fleet.

“Our apparatus is becoming increasingly controlled by electronic switches — sensors, controls, etc.,” reported Fire Chief Mickey Scott. “There are multiple occasions that we have encountered in recent years in which our mechanic could not troubleshoot a problem with our apparatus due to the electronics, therefore limiting the ability to make repairs to the apparatus in house.”

Scott said the lack of on-site diagnostic equipment has necessitated multiple trips to the dealership in South Bend to address the problems. Several times the department incurred towing charges to deliver the equipment for repair.

Scott estimated the department would have saved about $4,000 in the past two years in towing fees, fuel costs and additional man-hours if the diagnostic package had been available at the fire stations.

After the initial purchase, the department will incur a yearly $399 fee for software upgrades “to constantly stay abreast of electronic updates.”

In other business, Scott reported the fire territory responded to 12 fire calls and 81 EMS calls in January. No property loss was suffered.

The department is shopping around for physical fitness equipment and has compiled estimates ranging from $28,438 to $57,902. Scott explained the cost by noting the quality of the equipment will have to be fitness center grade to sustain its daily use by multiple firefighters.

Scott will entertain visits from vendors to assess the premises and customize the purchase. “The space we have available dictates the equipment we will get,” he said, adding comparing warranties will also be part of the negotiations. “Once we get those projected expenses, we will relay the information to the board as requested and we will submit a grant application.”

The department provided fire and EMS standby for multiple venues at the recent Syracuse Winter Carnival, including the Polar Bear Plunge on Lake Wawasee. At Scott’s request, the county stationed two trained divers in cold weather rescue suits at the perimeter of the plunge area. “There were no reported injuries and/or rescue situations reported to us during the events,” Scott said.

Scott issued some seasonal exhortations to the territory’s populace.

“We would like to request assistance from the citizens of our community in making sure that the snow is removed from the areas around fire hydrants in the town and township. The accessibility to these hydrants is crucial during an emergency and snow on and around these hydrants can cause delays in our ability to access them. We would also request that plow drivers assist us and not push snow up around these hydrants.”

He also cautioned the public “to clean the snow away from the fresh air intake to your residence and/or business in order to prevent the possibility of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning that can occur when these intake areas are blocked.”

He also advised against using a kitchen gas range to heat the house and operating gasoline, diesel or kerosene engines in an enclosed area. He noted free carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are available from the department to residents who cannot afford to purchase them.

The board next meets at 6:45 p.m. at Monday, March 9, at Syracuse Town Hall.