WARSAW — Following the approval of issuing bonds for Station 3 of the Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory, the night before, a step toward manning that station was taken by the WWTF Protection Territory board Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 6.

A six-month agreement with the Warsaw Volunteer Fire Department was approved, providing $15,000 to that organization for firefighter expenses. The contract can be renewed at the end of that time. Fire Chief Michael Wilson stated the agreement, which was approved by the volunteer department board, will open the door to establishing a part-time program. “The volunteer department is financially sound,” Wilson said noting the establishing of a part-time program will allow volunteers to fill seats in the engine not only at the new station, but also at the other two stations.

“Volunteerism is not like it was,” Wilson stated noting many businesses will not allow employees who are firefighters to leave work for calls. He noted the volunteer department is still needed as a stepping stone for individuals, including those of high school age, to participate in giving back to their community.

During the meeting the establishing of a committee to oversee the construction of the new station was discussed. Wilson noted he was thinking of including Joe Streeter, territory board member; Mike Klondaris, city council representative to the territory board, Craig Warren, firefighter and someone with building experience, along with Joe Fretz, WWFT’s city code inspector to serve on that committee, along with himself and Mayor Joe Thallemer.

There was some discussion of possibly having a design committee. Wilson will check with the architects, MartinRiley on their suggestions.

During other business, agreements were signed with a number of entities and the appointments to the protection territory board were discussed.

Agreements were approved with:

• Pro Air – Koorsen Fire & Security. for maintenance on air tanks for the dive team. The cost is $2,340.
• Emergency Reporting, Bellingham, Wash., in the amount of $3,576 for the yearly agreement, with a first time set up fee of $1,498. This will replace the current reporting program being used that has issues and is not an up-do-date program.
• CFS Inspections, Searcy, Ariz., for the annual aerial inspection, pressure test and flow test, a cost of $925. It was also reported the aerial passed the inspection.

Board members also approved the following travel requests:

• Miles Waters to obtain his Instructor 1 certification.
• Fred Parrett, Drew Shilling, and Trent Stamper to obtain their National Child Passenger Safety certification.
• Wilson and Shirley Fetrow, administrative assistant, to attend the yearly pension meeting.
• Travis Rowland, Brent FiferBrandon Allen and Mike Brubaker to travel to Charlotte, Mich., for the final Spartan chassis inspection on the new fire truck.
• Andrew Callaway, Drew Shilling and Dave Vercauteren attend officer training.

The board also voted to keep the current members: Thallemer, Sheila Burner, Gordon Nash, Klondaris and Streeter on the board and recommended Wilson as fire chief. Board members also agreed to keep the meetings at 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the second floor conference room.

During a review of the monthly expenditure reports, Wilson noted the utilities for Station 3 are expected to be under $800-$900 per month, compared to the $1,800 to $2,000 a month for the current stations.