Prior to the Monday, Sept. 11, Turkey Creek Fire Board meeting, the department presented four first-aid kits to representatives of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department lake patrol.

“We have taught CPR classes for them,” said Fire Chief Mickey Scott, who presided during the presentation, “and we will continue to work with them.”

The patrol monitors Wawasee and Syracuse lakes, both of which lie wholly in Turkey Creek Township. The fire department and lake patrol are coordinating their efforts to better serve boaters and other patrons of the lakes.

Attending the presentation were Jim Tranter and Jerry Rabb of the lake patrol; Kevin Grindle, assistant fire chief; and Chris Longenbaugh, firefighter/EMT and EMS lieutenant.

At the meeting, Scott reported on the Thursday, Aug. 31, fire at Lakeland Learning Center in Syracuse. The $80,000 in damages represented the territory’s only property loss last month.

The structure damage was not a total loss.

“The fire was quickly brought under control, resulting in an estimated $274,000 in property saved with no injuries,” said Scott, who thanked the Benton Township, Milford and North Webster fire departments; and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s and Syracuse Police departments.

“These departments worked seamlessly together with our department to provide for the safety of the occupants of the building and to control the amount of property loss,” he said.

“The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes. The staff at the facility is to be commended for their actions and having all the children evacuated from the building and accounted for upon our arrival.”

Scott added, “We would also like to thank all the organizations and members of our community who have stepped up to assist Lakeland during this difficult time. It is great to know we live in a community with so many organizations and people working together with one common goal to meet these needs in a short period of time.”

Scott also reported:

• The department responded to 18 fire calls and 103 EMS calls in August.

• The department collected $2,900 during its annual MDA Fill the Boot event Saturday, Aug. 26. Firefighters were stationed at the intersection of South Huntington Street and Pickwick Road.

• The monthly outdoor warning siren test Friday, Sept. 1, confirmed all sirens functioned correctly. At the behest of a lakeside property owner, the department is researching whether to install another siren on the east side of Lake Wawasee. “That would help the Enchanted Hills area,” said Scott.

• Architect Jim Malcolm met with township attorney Andrew Grossnickle to finalize bid specifications for improvements to the territory’s two fire stations. “The bid specs should be ready in two or three weeks,” said Scott.

The board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at Syracuse Town Hall.