Jacob Johnson is pictured here with his family and Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer (at right) after being sworn in as a WWFT firefighter. Photo provided

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Two Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory firefighters took the oath of office at the the City of Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Friday, Jan. 15. 

The oaths were administered to Jacob Johnson and Kyle Martin by Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Both men have completed over one year as probationary firefighters with the WWFT. Their wives and children were in attendance for the ceremony.

“This is always a privilege for me to do this. The fact that someone is giving their full attention and training and becoming a full-fledged firefighter, if you will, means an awful lot,” Thallemer said. “There’s obviously times when it’s not an easy job and where there’s danger and for someone to commit to protecting our citizens is not to be taken lightly and that’s why we administer the oaths of office individually and with respect and with honor.”

In another matter, a contract providing an easement for electrical facilities needed by NIPSCO was approved. The proposed easement will be located at the southwest corner of Canal and Detroit streets in Warsaw. NIPSCO intends to install a new power pole and guy wire at this location. 

There is already existing park signage behind the proposed easement. City officials wanted to make sure this did not interfere with the visibility of that sign. Warsaw Parks and Recreation Superintendent Larry Plummer said it would not be an issue and that this addition will get the high voltage lines out of the Kiddie Land/Pavilion area as well. 

“It sounds like it’s to our advantage to put this here,” Thallemer said.

A preventative maintenance contract between Zoll and the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory was also approved. WWFT Chief Michael Wilson said that in 2020, the K21 Foundation purchased Zoll monitors for Turkey Creek Fire Territory, North Webster Fire/EMS and WWFT and dispensed four of those monitors to WWFT.

The preventative maintenance agreement provides the required maintenance of the four WWFT monitors.

In other news:

• The annual parks and recreation contract for Warsaw-Wayne Township in the amount of $75,000 was approved.
• Taxi permits for AA Taxi and Fast Cab were approved, contingent upon vehicles passing inspection.
• A Community Education and Involvement Program proposal between the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams and the City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility in the amount of $17,600 was approved. 
• The next regular meeting will be 11:15 a.m. Feb. 5.

Kyle Martin is pictured here with his family and Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer (at right) after being sworn in as a WWFT firefighter. Photo provided