Architects are drawing up plans for renovations to Turkey Creek Fire Territory stations 1 and 2, township attorney Andrew Grossnickle reported at the Monday, Aug. 16, fire board meeting.

“I reached out to the architect, who sent someone to look through Station 2 a couple weeks ago,” he told the board.

“I received an e-mail response with preliminary drawings of the new improvements which I will forward to you.”

Once the finalized drawings are in hand, the fire department will solicit bids for the work. No timetable has been set for that process.

A recent addition to the list of renovations is changing out the stove in Station 1 to a larger commercial model and removing the automatic dishwasher. The new modifications will allow the fire department to accommodate larger groups for meals.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott presented his July 2017 report, in which he stated:

• The department responded to 20 fire calls and 102 EMS calls. “There was an estimated $1,000 in property loss in the territory from a structure fire that was quickly brought under control,” said Scott.

• Department personnel underwent 457.5 hours of training during the month on subjects including truck and equipment operations, proper use of lifting air bags, vehicle stabilization techniques, self rescue and disentanglement of SCBA, modern fire behavior, drug familiarization and treating and transporting trauma patients.

• The emergency generator at the repeater antenna on Kern Road suffered lightning damage. “The electronic circuit board was damaged and we have had it replaced,” said Scott. “The generator is now back up and running. Also we now have a telephone app to notify us if there is an issue with the generator.”

• The department has been “working with officials of the Wawasee School Corporation regarding fire safety systems and features of the new Syracuse Elementary School.”

• “We have been working with multiple businesses and private residences on having Knox Boxes put in place,” said Scott. Knox Boxes are wall-mounted safes holding building keys for quick access in an emergency. The fire department maintains a master key to open any box in the territory.

Scott thanked the fire territory board, township board and Syracuse Town Council for their “cooperation during our budget process for 2018 and for the approval of the 2018 Turkey Creek Territory operations and equipment budgets.”

The board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at Syracuse Town Hall.