Turkey Creek fire board members Corky Wong, left, Larry Martindale, Tom Hoover, Dennis Darr and John Heckaman listen to Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s monthly report at the Monday, June 14, meeting. Photo by Ray Balogh.

By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Turkey Creek fire and township advisory boards Monday, June 14, authorized Fire Chief Mickey Scott to apply for a K21 grant to defray the cost of new radios.

The grant would cover 80% of the purchase, which would upgrade the department’s communication technology and provide better signal coverage throughout its service area.

Scott obtained a quote of $210,174.92 in April, which includes a time-limited discount for fire departments. He requested the grant application authorization to take advantage of that discount. If awarded, the grant would pay $168,139.94 of the purchase price.

Fire Board

Scott also reported:

• The department responded to 21 fire calls and 131 EMS calls in May. The 152 response total “ties the highest amount of responses our department has ever had in a single month, in July 2019,” he said.

• Department personnel completed 458 hours of fire and EMS training during the month. Topics included operational checks, SCBA training, on-scene positioning and operating of apparatus, inventory of medical supplies, patient assessment and pediatric airway management.

• The five thermal imaging cameras allotted in this year’s equipment replacement budget were purchased for $3,000 less than the appropriated amount.

• The department purchased 10 mattresses and mattress covers to replace the aged bedding used by firefighters and EMTs. Through negotiation, Scott said, “we saved an additional $494.85” off the $6,810 allotment. The new bedding carries a 10-year warranty.

Scott announced, “We currently have a full-time opening within our department for a firefighter/EMT or above. Starting salary is $45,000 to $50,000, depending on experience and current certifications. We have outstanding benefits to offer as well.”

He said applications are available at either fire station or at www.syracusefd.com. Completed applications must be dropped off in person or received by mail.

He also announced the department’s annual pork chop and chicken barbecue fundraiser is scheduled for 10 a.m. until sold out — “usually 12:30-1 p.m.” — Saturday, July 3, at Fire Station 1.

Chicken halves and pork chops will sell for $7 each, and corn on the cob will be available for $1 an ear. Purchases can be made by drive-thru or walk up.

“We enjoy this event we have been conducting for about 30 years now and we look forward to having the opportunity each year to see everyone during something other than an emergency situation,” he said.

Township Board

Township Trustee Julie Close reported her office disbursed poor relief amounts of $1,394.98 in utility assistance and $680.11 in food assistance during May.

No expenditures were recorded for rent during the month. “The landlords haven’t turned in their vouchers yet, so the assistance will be paid this month. The payments are recorded for the month they are made, so the June payments will be higher than usual,” she said.

The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, July 12, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.