Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker, left, and Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Chief Mike Wilson present a report on the city-wide communication plan.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Board of Works heard a report on and approved a city-wide communications plan during the meeting held this morning, March 16.

Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker and Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Chief Mike Wilson presented the plan to the board. They explained that last year the local Emergency Planning Committee hired a private consultant to oversee the emergency planning drill that occured in Warsaw. One of the main issues noted by the consulting firm was the lack of ability for command and responders to communicate as the scene unfolded.

The solution is a main city-wide emergency response frequency. This would allow all agencies within the city to communicate together during a serious event. The communication plan provides for all agencies to communicate together, or on their own separate frequency. The plan would improve radio clarity, reduce the chance of miscommunication and expand the coverage area.

Currently, the plan includes leasing devices for the street department, wastewater department, cemetary, parks department, airport, police department and fire department. The departments are combining their orders through J $ K Communications, Columbia City, in order to take advantage of a buy two get one free sale.

In total, the upgrade will cost $383,866.21 which includes a $90,850 savings due to the sale. Each department will fund their own portion of the contract through a lease with three $132,149.89 annual payments. All departments have the funds available, but a few requests will be made to transfer funds within department budgets during the upcoming Warsaw Common Council meeting.

“Coming up with an opportunity to save around 20 percent, this seems like a pretty good time to consider this,” said Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer. “I was part of that exercise and it was glaringly obvious that we had communication issues. Being able to communicate is critical.”

The board approved both the lease agreement and contract with J & K Communications.

“It would be a shame to lose lives over not having the proper means of communication,” commented Board Member George Clemens.

In other news:

• Two road closure requests were approved for the Fat & Skinny Tire fest and the Lakes Festival.
• The police department was approved to accept a non-motorist grant. Warsaw’s portion of the grant is $6,000, which will fund foot and bicycle patrols.
• The parks department was approved to contribute $3,500 to the fireworks display at Winona Lake on June 30. This is the same amount contributed yearly.
• Three residences had wastewater and stormwater bills waived due to omission by the city. The residences were identified as 321 N. Washington St., 418 S. Union St. and 1404 E. Center St.
• The wastewater department was approved for a compliance agreement through NV Grant Services for the SRF loan and a pay application for the sewer rehabilitation project.
• The street department was approved for two roadway improvement contracts which included Holiday Drive, Main Street, Pontiac Drive, Colfax Street and Clark Street.
• The fire department was approved to apply for a $1,000 Norfolk Southern Local Discretion Grant and to enter an agreement with NIPSCO for Station 3.
• The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 9, instead of the usual scheduled day of Friday.