By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Board discussed the territory’s Community Assistance, Resources and Emergency Services (C.A.R.E.S.) program during a Feb. 1 meeting.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer asked WWFT Chief Mike Wilson how the territory is being informed of C.A.R.E.S. incidents. C.A.R.E.S. responders’ initiatives include assisting those in need of mental health assistance, aiding individuals who frequently contact emergency responders for help, and de-escalating domestic situations alongside law enforcement.

“The majority (of C.A.R.E.S. calls) are being dispatched to us,” said Wilson. “Between EMS Chief (Chris Fancil) and myself, we have a text message system that if (we have) an individual who’s associated with Fellowship Missions, it goes to that group. If we know it’s an individual associated with Bowen Center, it goes to that group. Both of those agencies are pretty instantaneous in answering us no matter what time or day.”

Wilson said some of the calls are generated from when law enforcement arrive at a scene and realize they’re responding to an incident that C.A.R.E.S. responders should help attend to.

“It bridges mental health, homelessness, and resource management, and it all flows together,” said Fancil about the program.

The board also discussed an oncoming winter storm expected to hit the area on Wednesday, Feb. 2, and Thursday, Feb. 3. Northern Indiana is expected to get snow accumulations of 10 to 15 inches.

Wilson asked those who know of anyone with health or heating issues to contact county dispatch at (574) 267-5667 for assistance. Dispatch will relay the call to the fire territory’s C.A.R.E.S. team, which will be working around the clock to help people during the storm.

Wilson also reminded city residents with fire hydrants on their property to shovel three-foot paths around the hydrants and out to the street’s edge.

WWFT’s next board meeting is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 1. Garrett Holderman, WWFT’s newest fire chief, will be at the meeting.