SYRACUSE — Turkey Creek Fire Territory and township advisory boards Monday, May 13, were invited, along with the public, to an upcoming open house celebrating completion of renovations to the territory’s two fire stations.

Turkey Creek Fire Board members Larry Martindale, left, John Heckaman and Dennis Darr pore over Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s monthly report at the Monday, May 13, meeting. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

The open house will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Station 1, 402 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. Fire Chief Mickey Scott said another open house, to be held at Station 2, 8138 E. McClintic Road, Syracuse, will be scheduled, probably in June.

Scott presented his monthly report for April:

• The department responded to 16 fire calls and 71 EMS calls. The territory suffered $110,500 in property loss from two structure fires and a vehicle fire. Approximately $200,000 in territory property was “saved as a result of firefighting efforts,” said Scott.

• Department personnel completed 565 hours of fire and EMS training on subjects including rescue techniques, fire ground operational procedures, safety and fire prevention for preschool students, boat ramp drafting operations, pharmacology review, pediatric advanced life support, medical and trauma patient assessment, tourniquet application and various operational checks.

• The department will conduct a four-hour CPR class beginning 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Station 1. “We encourage all citizens to attend this class and be trained to provide CPR,” said Scott. “Knowing and providing CPR has and can save someone’s life at any point in time.”

To sign up for the class, call the fire department at (574) 457-4100.

Fire Board

Scott reported the department advertised for acceptance of bids for a new fire engine. The bid deadline is 2 p.m. Friday, May 24. Scott invited the board to attend the bid opening at 3 p.m. at Station 2.

The department, North Webster Fire Department and Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory have received new cardiac monitor/defibrillators, courtesy of a K21 grant.

“We cannot say ‘thank you’ enough to the K21 Foundation for the approval of this grant to provide this invaluable lifesaving equipment to all three departments,” Scott said.

Township Board

Township Trustee Julie Close presented her monthly report to the board.

April township assistance, in the amounts of $1,560 for rent, $4,021 for utilities and $1,496.18 for food, was nearly triple March’s sums.

“People probably got their bills in March but didn’t choose to come in until April,” surmised Close. “We had a lot more people in April.” She added her office received 22 applicants the first week in May. “Sometimes we get that many in a whole month,” she said.

Township attorney Andrew Grossnickle reported the contract for construction of a Safe Haven baby box at Station 2 has been signed. “Now we need to get lined up with the contractor and get on their schedule,” he said.

Board member Bill Dixon announced the township has produced three Eagle Scouts, Connor Grumme, Devin Van Lue and Carter Bowman. “This hasn’t happened for quite some time,” he said. “We are very fortunate to have good leadership and good scouts coming through that program.”

He also noted two other Wawasee High School students achieved Eagle status, Ethan Hays and Elmer Kirkpatrick.

The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, June 10, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.