Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer commends Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory’s C.A.R.E.S. program during an April 5 meeting. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory is considering new equipment for its Community Assistance, Resources and Emergency Services (C.A.R.E.S.) program.

During the WWFT board’s April 5 meeting, EMS Chief Chris Fancil requested permission to apply for a grant through the K21 Health Foundation for equipment to help strengthen C.A.R.E.S’ responders’ safety and provide liability coverage.

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.

Fancil said C.A.R.E.S. responders are looking into body cameras that would record audio and video to prevent liability issues, as well as safety vests to wear underneath shirts.

“In the conversations we had with Warsaw (Police Department), the prosecutor’s office, and Bowen Center, we really want to protect our people,” said Fancil. “That’s number one. We have to be safe when we go out on these mental health crisis situations. We also want to protect ourselves in liability. We don’t want any ‘he said, she said’ incidents.”

“Currently, the fire department wears vests outside their uniforms,” Fancil continued. “They’re great, but we’ve found that anxiety goes up with (looking like a police officer.) We had an incident today where we (C.A.R.E.S. responders) were great with a gentleman, he was having some issues with anxiety, and we were having a conversation. As soon as we walked outside, and police were there, his anxiety jumped up 1,000 points. We want to be safe, but we want to have that (vests) concealed.”

The pictured QR code links to several resources, including information on addiction recovery and mental health care. The pictured phone number is for contacting C.A.R.E.S. responders.

Fancil said WWFT plans to pursue state and federal grants for the equipment as well.

The board gave WWFT permission to apply for a grant through K21.

Fancil also provided an update on the C.A.R.E.S. program to the board and said responders have been busy with calls. He mentioned responders going to a couple calls outside the territory.

“It’s hard to turn down a request, especially on, say, a child in a mental healthcare crisis,” said Fancil. “I’m not one who says ‘No, we’re not going to do that because that’s across the line.’ We certainly try to stay within the territory as that’s our number one responsibility, but it’s hard to turn it down because we’re human and want to help people. We have great relationships with Bowen Center, Fellowship Missions, the hospitals. Our (response) numbers just keep going up. This community is blessed with a lot of people who want to help and it’s we as a community making this work.”

WWFT has also partnered with Fellowship Missions on a QR code which links to a C.A.R.E.S.-labeled resource page. The page includes a variety of contact information for those needing assistance with aspects such as addiction recovery, mental health counseling, meals, and transportation.

Also during the meeting, the board approved a request from WWFT Lieutenant Drew Shilling for the territory to again host a summer Dive Rescue International class series. This year’s program will be from Aug. 13 to 20. In 2021, Warsaw hosted classes, which brought in divers from 10 different agencies and six different states. Classes planned for this summer’s program include Humminbird Sonar Technician, Light Salvage and Recovery, and HazMat Diving.

WWFT’s next board meeting is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 3.