Mikaela Bixler is Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory’s new C.A.R.E.S. coordinator. Photo provided by David Slone, Times-Union.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory’s grant proposal to the K21 Health Foundation for the Community Assistance, Resources and Emergency Services (C.A.R.E.S.) program has been approved.

EMS Chief Chris Fancil requested permission from WWFT’s board to accept the $20,000 grant during a July 5 meeting. The grant will allow for the purchase of three ballistic vests, four body cameras, two in-vehicle cameras, an automated external defibrillator (AED) and a stair chair.

Fancil had requested permission from the board to apply for the grant in April.

“(Warsaw Police Department) is certainly on board with this, but they want to make sure we’re safe, that we’re doing this safely,” said Fancil about the equipment. “Wearing vests underneath our clothing, having a body camera to really protect us from the ‘he said, she said’ incidents and then having a camera in the vehicle to capture conversations for our protection and for liability coverage…”

“We’re certainly appreciative of their (K21’s) generosity and the importance of this program to the community is obvious,” said Mayor Joe Thallemer.

“They’ve been nothing short of amazing,” said WWFT Chief Garrett Holderman about K21. “They’re great people.”

WWFT’s board approved accepting the grant from K21.

Mikaela Bixler, WWFT’s new C.A.R.E.S. coordinator, was also introduced to the board.

“From January to May, we made approximately 128 C.A.R.E.S. calls,” said Fancil. “In June, Mikaela started on the 17th, she’s made 56 calls in the month of June and has been busy even today, doing a lot of stuff. She’s a remarkable addition to this program and she’s got a lot of energy.”

Bixler formerly worked at the Bowen Center for 3 1/2 years in their transitional living services program.

“I have always really liked working with people,” said Bixler.

WWFT’s next board meeting is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2.