Pictured, from left, are incoming Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Board Member David Allbritten and outgoing WWFT Board Member Brandon Schmitt. Schmitt is resigning from the board as he’s taken a position as a WWFT firefighter. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — David Allbritten was sworn in as a Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory board member during an Aug. 1 board meeting.

Allbritten is replacing Brandon Schmitt, who resigned from the board effective July 31. Schmitt is returning as a WWFT firefighter and, as a result, can no longer serve on the board.

“We’ve appreciated your insight during your time on the board,” said Mayor Joe Thallemer to Schmitt.

Allbritten formerly served on the city’s traffic commission and worked as an ATF agent for 32 years before retiring in 2019.

In other business, the board learned a second employee for WWFT’s C.A.R.E.S. program has been hired. EMS Chief Chris Fancil said Tanya Jackson will start working as a C.A.R.E.S. employee on Aug. 14, with Jackson primarily focusing on those struggling with substance abuse. Through Jackson’s hiring, C.A.R.E.S. Community Health Coordinator Mikaela Bixler will be able to focus more on the mental health aspect of assisting people.

Jackson’s wages will be paid for via grants.

Board Member Mike Klondaris asked Fancil about emergency shelter requests from people. Fancil described it as being the occasional “uphill battle.”

Fancil said the C.A.R.E.S. program has a great partnership with Fellowship Missions but also noted a couple instances where individuals with connections to the Elkhart or South Bend area are taken there. The program also has ties to local hotels, particularly for short stays.

“It’s still a definite need though,” said Fancil. “It’s a struggle.”

In their reports to the board, Lutheran EMS Director Alicia Mediano and WWFT Chief Brian Mayo once again noted an overall increase in call volume. Mediano said LEMS is considering the possibility of restructuring their northern stations due to the uptick, but that no final decision has been made. For the month of June, 28% of WWFT’s overall calls among its three stations overlapped.

The board’s next meeting is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5.