The Turkey Creek Fire Territory executive board will meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, to finalize the 2017 budget for submission to the Syracuse Town Council. The location is to be determined.

Board President Kim Cates scheduled the special meeting in response to a request by other board members at the Monday, Aug. 8, meeting for more time to compile information and study the current budget proposal.

State law requires the board to complete its work on the budget by Sept. 1, according to board attorney Andrew Grossnickle.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott presented a comprehensive report which included the following information:

In July the department responded to 31 fire calls and 97 EMS calls. Total property loss was estimated at $5,765 from a vehicle fire and two storage shed fires.

Scott credited the quick extinguishment of an oven fire with preventing an estimated $500,000 of property damage.

The number of emergency runs through July totaled 829, an increase of 44 responses compared to the same period last year.

The department will schedule another CPR course when enough persons sign up for the class. The course is open to the public. To sign up or for more information, call (574) 457-4100 or (574) 457-5507.

Department personnel logged 338 hours of training during July.

Sessions ranged from one hour to 3-1/2 hours and topics included operational efficiency training, public relations, skills task book work, ladder relay operations, preplans, pediatric trauma, burn injuries, medical and trauma scenarios and CPAP training.

Backup batteries in the territory’s outdoor warning sirens were replaced and two battery chargers in one siren are scheduled for replacement.

All sirens functioned properly during an Aug. 5 test.

The department’s ambulance billing rates were reviewed and found to be “in line with” 13 other ambulance services included in a regional rate survey.

“Our current average revenue per run is $363.06 which takes into account required Mediare and Medicaid adjustments and write offs,” said Scott.

“Our EMS billing company representative advised us that this is an above average revenue collection per run compared to other EMS clients they have in Indiana.

“This is largely due to our personnel documenting their reports correctly and submitting all the necessary paperwork correctly.”

Scott said up to 65 percent of the territory’s EMS patients are covered by Medicare or Medicaid. About 25 percent have private insurance and the remaining 10 percent are self-pay.

Through the first six months of 2016 the department wrote off $75,596 in fees and lost another $179,000 in required adjustments.

The department has renewed its employee health insurance coverage through Sept. 30, 2017.

The department will provide EMS standby at the Syracuse Community Center and will assist with traffic control for the Saturday, Aug. 13, Wawasee Kiwanis Club triathlon.

Scott announced the annual firefighter MDA Fill-the-Boot drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection of Pickwick Drive and South Huntington Street.

The next regular meeting of the board will be at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at Syracuse Town Hall.