Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Assistant Chief Aaron Bolinger requests permission to apply for a state homeland security grant during a May 2 WWFT board meeting. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The National Alliance on Mental Illness will be hosting a local presentation in Warsaw this spring.

Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory’s board learned about NAMI and heard a brief update on the C.A.R.E.S. program during a May 2 meeting.

EMS Chief Chris Fancil discussed a newsletter assembled by Community Health Coordinator Mikaela Bixler, with the newsletter listing statistics for C.A.R.E.S. calls in April. During the month, Bixler conducted the following: five mental health service navigation consultations; 13 general community resource navigation consultations; seven check-ins with elderly individuals to assist with connection to services; four housing navigation consultations; and several check-ins and 911 follow-ups with individuals regarding mental health, recovery, and basic needs.

Fancil said NAMI will be presenting “NAMI: In Our Own Voice” this spring in Warsaw. The 90-minute presentation aims to change attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes about people with mental health conditions.

The presentation will be open to the public and is for anyone living with a mental illness, who has a friend or family member with a mental illness, or who just wants to learn more about mental health. A set date for the presentation has not been determined.

In other business, WWFT Assistant Chief Aaron Bolinger requested permission from the board to apply for a state homeland security grant. This grant would provide WWFT with funding for lumber and equipment, which would be used in structural damage incidents caused by tornadoes or vehicle accidents. Bolinger received permission to apply from the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety during its April 21 meeting.

Funds have been budgeted in WWFT’s equipment replacement fund to cover the cost of the reimbursement grant. WWFT is requesting $10,946 from the grant.

WWFT’s board gave Bolinger permission to pursue the grant.

The board’s next meeting is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, in Warsaw City Hall.