By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw Police Department has received further training on the county’s Community Assistance, Resources and Emergency Services program.

Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory EMS Chief Chris Fancil addressed questions regarding the C.A.R.E.S. program during a Dec. 6 WWFT board meeting. Fancil said C.A.R.E.S. representatives provided two training sessions to WPD officers on Monday, Dec. 5.

“We gave them a better understanding of when to call, what we’re used for, what we can help them with, and they were really receptive,” said Fancil. “So my guess…is that we’re going to get busier. Because they’re constantly dealing with stuff…that they’re really not supposed to be dealing with and can let us take care of it, to let them get back on the road.”

“I think it has significantly reduced duplicate calls for our engines,” said WWFT Chief Garrett Holderman on the C.A.R.E.S. program.

In October, the C.A.R.E.S. program handled 52 calls. Lutheran EMS responded to 12 Mobile Integrated Health calls in October. MIH is similar to C.A.R.E.S. through bridging gaps, specifically within medical health.

In her monthly update to the board, Alicia Mediano, LEMS, noted a significant amount of medical runs in October due to patients postponing medical care for chronic health conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

LEMS responded to 483 calls for service in October.

The board also:

• Approved the continuation of Mike Klondaris, Gordon Nash, Brandon Schmitt, and Jeanie Stackhouse as board members for 2023.
• Approved the continuation of Holderman representing WWFT on the board.
• Approved the renewal of an annual contract with Pro Air Midwest, which provides maintenance on the dive team’s air tanks. The contract has already been approved by Warsaw’s Board of Public Works and Safety.
• Approved a travel request for WWFT Assistant Chief Aaron Bolinger to travel to Plainfield in March for active shooter training.

The board’s next meeting is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Warsaw City Hall.