Members of the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory pose for a photo following the oath of office given to Miles Waters, shown in front holding his son Zander, and next to his wife Elizabeth.

WARSAW — Miles Waters officially became a firefighter with the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Friday morning, Sept. 16. Waters, who completed his probationary period, was sworn in as a full time firefighter during the Warsaw Board of Works meeting.

His wife, Elizabeth, and son Zander, along with Waters’ first battalion chief Aaron Bollinger, took part in the ceremony. A large number of his firefighting brothers were on hand for the ceremony.

Battalion Chief Aaron Bollinger, left, watches as Mayor Joe Thallemer administers the oath of office to Miles Waters. Waters’ wife, Elizabeth and son Zander are shown on the right.

The meeting was also a milestone as following years of planning the reality of a third fire station occurred. The project began with Fire Chief Mike Rice, with the formation of the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory and continued with Fire Chief Mike Brubaker and current Fire Chief Mike Wilson. BOW members signed an agreement with MartinRiley on the estimate of construction and approval of standard form of agreement.

Approved last week by the WWFT board, the agreement estimates the new fire station to cost $3.6 million. A three-dimensional model of the new station was shown to the board and will be placed in the mayor’s office for the public to view. The new agreement is $800,000 less than the original estimate.

Briefly it was explained when the fire territory was formed the department’s coverage went from 10 square miles to almost 50 square miles. To improve response time, a third station was planned. Additionally the third station will help lower the township’s ISO rating.

Zander Waters gives his mother, Elizabeth, a helping hand, pinning the firefighter badge on his father’s shirt. Miles Waters was sworn in as a new full time officer of the department.

Three locations were reviewed when property owned by Warsaw Community Church, at County Farm Road and CR 200E, became available. It was a prime location.

Wilson stated the building was originally designed with three bays, but a two-bay firehouse is adequate to operate services for fire, first responders and emergency medical.

In other business relating to the fire department, an updated book of standards, policies and best practices was approved. Wilson stated more than a year’s worth of research has been put into the book, with review by all three battalion chiefs and the city’s human resource department. Capt. Mike Brubaker, who was chief when the updating began, stated the city’s employee handbook is cross referenced in the document.

The final matter related to the fire department was the approval to apply for a $75,000 reimbursable grant through the Fire and Public Safety Academy Training, State Fire Marshal, Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s infrastructure maintenance grants. Wilson stated the grant can be used during a two year span. The painting of the live fire training tower, a cost of approximately $30,000, is planned and budgeted for 2016. Additional projected projects: additional surface gravel, repairs and/or replacement of the dumpster fire/automotive fire training props and residential search and rescue prop, are budgeted for 2017.

During other business the board approved:

• The closing of Laurelwood Drive from 3-9 p.m. Oct. 15, for the annual Park Ridge block party.
• An amendment to the Buffalo Street Engineering Contract with American Structurepoint to explore additional options for the placement of various sanitary sewer infrastructure. The cost is $2,800. Jeremy Skinner, city planner, provided an update. The completion of phase one is projected for November/December with bid letting taking place at the end of the year or first of 2017. Infrastructure construction will begin in the spring and be completed in the fall. A presentation for funding of the project’s second phase will be made to the Regional Cities Initiative Sept. 20.