SYRACUSE — Turkey Creek fire and township boards Monday, Nov. 11, both unanimously approved Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s request to purchase a 2019 demo ambulance to replace the department’s 2016 ambulance, which was heavily damaged in an accident in August.

Turkey Creek Township Trustee Julie Close. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

The boards allocated up to $295,000 for the purchase of the vehicle and an automated ambulance cot, transfer and installation of emergency communications equipment from the 2016 vehicle and application of graphics.

The township will use the $61,460.07 insurance check for the 2016 ambulance, along with its trade-in value, to help pay for the new ambulance, which would be available as early as “shortly after the first of the year,” according to Scott. The remainder of the purchase price will come from the department’s 2020 equipment budget.

The purchase would equip the department with two 2019 ambulances, one for each of the township’s fire stations, and a 2012 ambulance for backup and third ambulance calls. The department’s 2008 ambulance would be sold.

The state-mandated bidding process for the new purchase can be bypassed, as the acquisition of the demo ambulance qualifies as an emergency purchase.

Fire Board

Scott submitted his monthly report:

• In October the department responded to 23 fire calls and 105 EMS calls. The territory experienced fire loss of $145,000 to two structures and department actions saved $165,000 in property value.

• Department personnel completed 529 hours of fire and EMS training on topics including crisis management for school-based incidents, physical agility, ladder tactics and operations, cardiac arrest management, basic and advanced life support skills, pediatric respiratory emergencies, major trauma assessment and neurological emergencies.

• Twelve members of the public attended the department’s CPR class on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Station 1. The next class is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. Anyone interested can register for the class by calling (574) 457-4100. The classes are free to the public. “We want to have as many people in our community as possible CPR trained,” said Scott. “Bystander CPR administered prior to our arrival definitely improves the chance of having a successful resuscitation for a patient in cardiac arrest.”

• Scott recommended changing batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms “as well as testing them to assure they are functioning properly. Also, please do not utilize alternative heat sources that are not intended for this purpose, as this could result in a fire and/or exposure to carbon monoxide.” Detectors and alarms are available for township residents by calling (574) 457-4100 or visiting Station 1 at 402 N. Huntington St., Syracuse.

Township Board

The board unanimously passed a resolution for salaries, longevity compensation, insurance and other benefits for fire department personnel.

Full-time salaries include fire chief, $62,985; deputy chief, $57,096; battalion chief, $55,029; captain, $53,261; firefighter/paramedic, $51,051; firefighter/EMT-A, $49,960.30; firefighter/EMT-B, $47,868.60; probationary firefighter, $44,421.

Part-time hourly wages: firefighter/paramedic, $16; paramedic/non-firefighter, $14; firefighter up to EMT-A, $12; EMT non-firefighter, $10.

Township Trustee Julie Close presented her monthly financial report. The township in October disbursed poor relief funds of $1,468 in rent, $3,528.25 in utilities and $495.59 in food.

Township Attorney Andrew Grossnickle was authorized to obtain title searches for several cemetery parcels and two township easements.

The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.