Turkey Creek Boards Approve Funding For New Computers
SYRACUSE — Turkey Creek fire and township boards Monday, Aug. 12, unanimously approved Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s request for up to $7,000 for new department computers in the territory’s two fire stations.
“Our current computers are several years old and due for replacement,” Scott said. The amount allocated will pay for the hardware, software, keyboard, mouse, speakers and a 24-inch monitor. “The vendor has offered to bring the computers to our stations and set them up at no charge,” he said.
The boards also approved Scott’s request to form a committee to prepare requests for bids to replace the department’s 2008 ambulance. “The ambulance is scheduled for replacement in the 2020 fire territory equipment replacement budget proposal,” he said.
The new ambulance is expected to arrive in late 2020. “Historically it has taken approximately one year to have an ambulance manufactured from the time it is ordered, so we will hopefully provide a bid recommendation to the boards in October or November of this year.”
Fire Board
Scott presented in his July report:
• The department responded to 27 fire calls and 125 EMS calls for a total of 152 responses. “That is the highest response total I believe I have ever seen,” he said.
• With more than half the calendar year elapsed, the department has expended only 43.58% of its yearly allocations.
• The department conducted an American Heart Association CPR heart saver class July 31 at Fire Station 1. The event was free to the public and 19 students attended the three-hour session. The next class is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Station 1. To sign up, call (574) 457-4100.
• A Safe Haven Baby Box was installed and went into operation Friday, Aug. 9, on the east wall of Station 2. Scott thanked fire and township board members, trustee Julie Close, and Syracuse Town Council members, Kosciusko County Fire Association, Right to Life of North Central Indiana and several individuals.
• Department personnel underwent 544 hours of training on topics such as evacuation procedures, firefighter safety, electricity and solar panel safety, two-person team SCBA drills, aerial apparatus placement and ladder maneuver, second-story window and roof access, firework safety precautions, victim rescue training, safe haven laws and heat emergencies.
Township Board
Township Trustee Julie Close presented her monthly report for July:
• The township disbursed $800 for rent assistance and $2,011.48 in utilities, which was almost $700 over June’s utilities total. Close attributed the uptick to citizens using their air conditioners during the hot weather and families using some of their income on school supplies. No figure was given for food assistance because NewMarket did not submit the monthly invoice on time.
Township attorney Andrew Grossnickle notified the board of state requirements to post a sign signaling the location of the trustee’s office.
“The sign must be clearly visible with the name of the trustee, a notice that services are available and the office’s phone number,” he said. Board member Bill Dixon volunteered to spearhead the signage project.
The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.