Replacement of the tornado siren at Warsaw-Wane Township Fire Station 2, and replacement of the roof at that same station, were approved by members of the WWTF Protection Territory board Tuesday evening, Aug. 4.

Fire Chief Mike Brubaker prefaced the tornado siren replacement request with a plan to add additional sirens. It was 1 1/2 years ago concerns over the sirens “befell” him. The siren at the old city hall was moved to Station 1, however the rotation motor burned out. A replacement motor is on order. “It still sounds, it just does not rotate,” he said.

With the assistance of the siren’s manufacturer, Wayland, nine sirens are proposed to cover “most of Warsaw and the skirting of Wayne Township. A map of lift stations in the city was obtained to locate power sources for those sirens and to match where locations need to be.

The plan will start with the siren repair at Station 1, replacement the 40-year-old Station 2 siren and “move out from there.” Brubaker stated “it’s not easy to plunk (a tornado siren) where you want,” explaining a domino affect on a selected site of what is needed for placement.

He stated he is investigating grants to purchase additional sirens, but may have to get creative in grant funding. To purchase the nine proposed sirens would cost around $200,000.

The board did approve the purchase of a new siren at the cost of $26,599.33 from J&K Communications, Columbia City. A second quote from Great Lakes Communications Inc., Port Clinton, Ohio, totaled $27,920. Brubaker stated quotes were sought from companies handling the same brand of siren already installed for compatibility.

Regarding the replacement of the roof on Station 2, the board approved the bid from Robinson Construction Inc., Warsaw, at an approximate cost of $31,000. However, if 60 percent is paid before material order and remainder upon completion, the cost would be $27,402, or if 100 percent of the cost is paid upon contract signing, the cost would be $26,854. A second quote was received from Morris & Sons Inc., Bourbon, totaling $29,870.

During other business the board:

• Announced the receipt of insurance reimbursement for the Warsaw Chemical Fire (due to chemical damage to equipment and gear) totaling $77,666.91. Brubaker stated most of the equipment and gear has been replaced.
• Accepted the Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up proposal to enter into a grant agreement, a $1,000 grant to support the annual Family Safety Day, Sept. 12, at Central Park and Center Lake Pavilion.
• Acknowledged a letter of appreciation from Warsaw Community Schools after responding to 911 calls on June 29 for a medical emergency.
• Approved travel requests for training in OSHA standards, plan review and inspection workshop, fire investigation conference and all hazards incident management.
• Announced Joe Fretz, fire inspector, received his fire inspect II certification and an update on new hire Trent Stamper.
• Board members also reviewed the proposed budget for the department, which included funds for two new hires, new vehicle, new extrication equipment, new phone equipment and finishing up remodeling of the bay area at Station 1. The proposed budget totals are: $1,050,436 for fire territory equipment replacement fund; $4,096,808 for the operating fund; $288,725 for the pension fund