Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory received permission from the WWFT board to apply for two grants regarding materials at their training facility. InkFreeNews file photo.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory received permission to apply for two grants regarding materials at their training facility.

During the WWFT board’s May 3 meeting, Fire Chief Garrett Holderman requested permission to apply for the grants, both of which are available from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

A fire training infrastructure grant, if awarded, would allow the territory to purchase concrete for the training facility.

“It’ll create a safer and cleaner environment to work in,” said Holderman. “Right now, it’s pretty much all dirt and rock.”

The territory will also apply for a local training support grant which, if awarded, would allow WWFT to purchase equipment for its training facility. Holderman said the territory would like to purchase a machine box for limb and hand extrications, as well as window ventilation props.

Both grants are reimbursable and the amount WWFT could receive from either is unknown, as multiple department training centers will be awarded funds from IDHS.

The board also learned that within seven days, WWFT has received 31 applicants for its Community Assistance, Resources and Emergency Services (C.A.R.E.S.) coordinator position.

“It’s very impressive,” said Holderman on the number of applicants.

C.A.R.E.S. responders’ initiatives include helping those in need of mental health assistance, aiding individuals who frequently contact emergency responders for help, and de-escalating domestic situations alongside law enforcement.

EMS Chief Chris Fancil said C.A.R.E.S.’ workers’ primary goal at the moment is getting a coordinator hired before former Fire Chief Mike Wilson retires from the position in June.

“We constantly are getting calls from different organizations, asking us to go out and visit with somebody,” said Fancil. “It’s (the C.A.R.E.S. program) doing what we’ve wanted, but it’s really busy.”

In his report to the board, Holderman noted that WWFT has responded to recurring dumpster fires at 1180 Polk Drive, Warsaw. The territory recently responded to a warehouse fire at that location on April 23.

“It’s due to a paint they’re no longer using,” said Holderman about the fires. “We’ve had Fire Marshal (Joe) Fretz there to figure all this stuff out to hopefully nip this in the bud but we’ve had multiple dumpster fires there, even in the recent weeks.”

WWFT’s next board meeting is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 7.