Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Protection Territory approved an ordinance Tuesday afternoon to establish a Hazardous Material Response Fund and schedule of charges for services provided.

Mike Brubaker, fire chief, stated he has worked with the clerk-treasurer’s office for 2 1/2 years to create a fund to use in the purchase of replacement materials used in a hazardous material clean-up. It is hoped the fund will streamline the process, instead of funds going into “a place we can’t use it again.”

The ordinance is geared towards motor carriers traveling through town, should there be a diesel or chemical leak requiring hazmat clean up materials. Carriers would be billed for any materials used to contain the spill, plus the time a fire officer has to remain at the scene. The charges would be based on the annual state fire marshal’s published schedule of service charges for fire protection services.

Money going into the fund would be used only for the purchase of supplies and equipment in providing hazmat emergency assistance; and payment to individuals whom the fire department contracts to provide services related to the hazmat emergency assistance.

It will not relate to normal vehicle accidents, or hazmat accidents to businesses who pay taxes within the township. The ordinance will be sent to the Warsaw Common Council on March 16 for formal approval.

During other business, Brubaker noted the expenditure of $5,804.74 for iPads and Otter Boxes. He noted the iPads will provide not only directions to the scene but weather conditions and a reporting system. He noted at the Warsaw Chemical Fire in February, the battalion chief was able to use the iPad to record two hours of the fire. This video was beneficial to the state fire marshal’s office, and will be used in training.

During Brubaker’s monthly activity report, for January 2015, it was noted there were 113 responses during the month, 89 within the city limits, 22 in the township. The department provided assistance to other departments twice, and received four assists from other departments.

It was noted WWTFT will host the Principles of Modern Fire Attack Slice-RS Saturday, May 30, at Lakeview Middle School, Warsaw. The class is funded by the state and free to firefighters. “The only cost is to the (local) volunteers and Lakeview (school use).

An update was also provided regarding the Warsaw Chemical fire in February. Brubaker noted the department is working with entities and insurance companies to determine if equipment damaged from the fire needs to be replaced. They are still working on the cause and origin of the fire. All other aspects of the fire are being handled by other agencies: IDEM and DNR.

He noted while at the time there was confusion, a lot of agencies came together and worked well together. There will be a formal after action report in the near future to identify difficulties and issues. “We had a very good outcome in a very bad situation.”

Brubaker also stated the group looking into the new engine is diligently sorting out information  and looking at the most reasonable and economical information for the specifications. It is hoped bids could be sought in early summer with purchase of the engine before the end of the year. “We don’t want to rush,” he stated.