Fire Board Approves EMS Mutual Aid Agreements
By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews
TURKEY CREEK TOWNSHIP — Turkey Creek fire and township advisory boards Monday, March 8, took care of several items of business in back-to-back brief meetings.
Fire Board
The fire board unanimously approved Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s request to enter into two interlocal mutual aid contracts, one with Parkview EMS and the other with Lutheran EMS.
The agreements provide for Turkey Creek Fire Territory to receive $275 for every EMS run they perform at either Parkview’s or Lutheran’s request.
Scott presented his February report:
• During the month, the department responded to 16 fire calls and 81 EMS calls. The only fire damage in the territory was $2,500 for a vehicle fire.
• Department personnel completed 360.5 hours of fire and EMS training. Topics included pediatric care, principles of vaccine administration, life safety rope work, SCBA operation, ice rescue training techniques, HAZMAT training, rescue of downed firefighter and rapid intervention team training.
• The March 5 outdoor warning siren test confirmed all sirens are functioning correctly.
• The fire territory signed mutual aid agreements with Kosciusko County public safety entities “in order to be included in the FEMA grant request for emergency radio equipment submitted on behalf of all fire departments in Kosciusko County,” said Scott.
• The department donated its replaced fire engine to the Sparta Township/Cromwell Fire Department. “They are using the truck to replace their current reserve engine,” Scott said.
• The department received approval from the township board and Syracuse Town Council to proceed with the purchase of 23 personal SCBA regulators and two rapid intervention team packs. Manufacturing staff shortages caused by COVID have delayed delivery of the equipment. “We do not have an expected delivery date at this time,” reported Scott.
• The department is shopping for new thermal imaging cameras to replace existing inventory, which is severely outdated. Scott said the department is previewing several models and soliciting input from area fire departments and he will present recommendations at the April 12 board meeting.
Township Board
Township Trustee Julie Close presented her financial statement for February, showing her office disbursed $350 in rent assistance, $2,391 in utilities and $499.39 in food during the month.
Andrew Grossnickle, the township’s attorney, reported he researched the zoning of donated parcels appended to Union and Cable cemeteries. The newly acquired land is zoned agricultural and the township needs to obtain a public use designation to begin using the additional lots.
The board unanimously authorized Grossnickle to apply for the zoning change and to research all the township’s cemeteries to confirm their proper zoning.
The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, April 12, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.