Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board members Bill Dixon, left, and Dennis Darr peruse paperwork during the Monday, March 9, meeting. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

SYRACUSE — Turkey Creek fire and township advisory boards Monday, March 9, unanimously approved Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s request to use funds from the department’s operations budget to pay for public citizens’ certification at the department’s regular CPR classes.

The classes are held in conjunction with the American Heart Association, which charges $20 per person for the class.

“We would like to pay the $20 charge for each participant who lives and/or works in Turkey Creek Township or the town of Syracuse,” said Scott, explaining, “those participants are our taxpayers who provide the funding for our budgets.”

The next AHA Heartsaver CPR class is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at Fire Station 1, 402 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. Interested persons may sign up by calling (574) 457-4100.

Fire Board

Scott presented his February report to the board:

• During the month the department responded to 11 fire calls and 85 EMS calls. The territory suffered $1,200 in fire damages, while another $320,000 in property was saved by the department’s actions. “The figure is based on the value of the improvements on the land,” said Scott.

• Department personnel completed 296 hours of fire and EMS training on topics such as personal protective equipment inspection, cold water and ice rescue operations, recognizing and adjusting tactics in changing fire conditions, removing a downed firefighter from below ground level, sepsis patient training, adult respiratory emergencies, pre-hospital trauma life support and stroke patient assessment.

• The monthly outdoor warning siren test for March will occur at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, in conjunction with Severe Weather Awareness Week.

• The department sold its collision-damaged ambulance for $4,000 and the proceeds have been placed in the equipment fund. The department’s new ambulance will ready for pickup from the production facility in Van Wert, Ohio, at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 20.

• A vehicle struck the north side of Station 1, causing cosmetic damage, which is being addressed by the insurance carrier and contractor.

• The department has begun planning for its annual pork chop and chicken barbecue fundraiser, to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at Station 1. Proceeds will be used by the department’s 20 volunteer firefighters “to buy equipment, help families or buy items for Toys for Tots,” said Scott. “The money all goes back for the benefit of the community.”

Township Board

Township Trustee Julie Close presented her monthly report for February.

The township disbursed poor relief in the amounts of $1,369 for rent, $1,179.79 for utilities and $881.44 for food.

The total for utilities was less than half of that disbursed in January, due in large part to “the warmer weather,” said Close.

Other expenses included payments for office supplies, attorney’s fees and internet and telephone usage.

Scott reminded citizens to replace the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as is customary the weekends of the time change.

He also advised replacement of smoke detectors more than seven to 10 years old and carbon dioxide detectors more than seven years old.

The department has free detectors available to territory residents. Call (574) 457-4100 or visit Station 1 to obtain a detector.
The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, April 13, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.