WARSAW — Permission was sought to apply for three grants in order to receive heavy rescue extrication equipment at the Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory meeting held on Wednesday, July 5.

The heavy rescue extrication equipment will be used to as supplemental lifting equipment when larger vehicles are involved in accidents. Fire Chief Michael Wilson explained that the equipment would be used with the new heavy rescue truck that was recently acquired. “We will act as the host department because it will flow with the equipment that already came in on the new rescue,” said wIlson.

Currently, no department in the county has equipment like this. In early 2017, when a car, semi accident occurred on US 30 and SR 13 neither Pierceton Fire Department or Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory had the necessary equipment needed. This caused emergency responders to work in areas that were life threatening while rescuing victims due to being exposed to unsupported loads.

The request was to purchase four sets of equipment and distribute it to various departments in the county. This will ensure that the necessary equipment can reach an accident quickly no matter where it occurs.

The total cost of the project is $84,540. The request was to apply for a grant through the K-21 Foundation for $64,912, a grant through the Kosciusko Community Foundation for $19,628 and a grant through Indiana Homeland Security for $4,000. If all the grants are received, there will be no cost for the department.

The board approved applying for the three grants.

In other news:

• A status change was presented for firefighters Joel Shilling and Quinen Stamper due to completing their probationary firefighter training.
• Board members were presented with the 2018 budget to review. Wilson made himself available if board members had any questions regarding the budget.
• In May, the department had 226 total responses.