Warsaw-Wayne Fire Chief Michael Wilson requested permission to apply for Indiana Public Employers’ Plan (IPEP) Safety Grants. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A new type of follow-up care for medical and mental health services could be available locally in the future. 

At the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Friday, Oct. 15, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory received permission to pursue certification to establish a Mobile Integrated Healthcare program in the community.

A letter submitted to the Board by WWFT Chief Michael Wilson and WWFT EMS Chief Chris Fancil read, in part, “It has come to our attention that the State of Indiana has started certifying fire departments and emergency medical services to provide Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) in their respective communities. When the service gets certified, they can, in turn, bill insurance/CMS for these services. We feel this is a great opportunity to utilize our new C.A.R.E.S. responders to offer yet another service to our community.”

WWFT EMS Chief Chris Fancil

Fancil said he thinks what they’re seeing in other communities is “the incredible burden on the ERs and the health care system” and they’re trying to lessen that burden.

“We feel like we have the staff, we have the want and the knowledge to do this. It would be a good extension and it should be helpful for everybody involved, certainly for the citizens and then for the hospitals and doctors,” Fancil said. “Maybe they’re getting ready to discharge a patient and they’re not really sure if that patient is going to be able to follow up as has been prescribed … they would make an appointment with one of us and we would go out and meet with them and make sure they’re getting their medicines, taking them as needed, maybe do a dressing change, whatever the doctor would like for us to do …but just add that as something else the fire department could do for the community.”

WWFT also received permission from the Board to apply for Indiana Public Employers’ Plan (IPEP) Safety Grants, which would cover up to 80% of the cost for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training on scaffolding for WWFT members and city employees; OSHA fall protection training for WWFT members and city employees; and a rescue tripod for technical and confined space rescues.

In another matter, the Parks Department received approval from the Board to apply for two grants. 

Warsaw Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer said a $5,000 grant will be pursued through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation to be used toward the Summer Concert Series.

The parks department will also apply for a $1,500 grant through Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up. Those funds would be used for the continued support of the Family Carnival event.

In other news:

• A contract with G&G Hauling and Excavating, Warsaw, in the amount of $425,348 was approved for reconstruction of County Club Lane and the extension of the section of Country Club Lane intersection.
• A bid by HRP Construction for $678,950 was accepted for McKinley storm sewer improvements.
• A road closure request by One Warsaw Inc. for a Celebrating Us event in April 2022 was approved. 
• The next regular meeting will be 10:30 a.m. Nov. 5.