Nathan Scherer, left, casts his vote during the Turkey Creek Fire Territory’s regular meeting Monday night. Matt Dunithan, president of the board, records the vote. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board struggled to come up with a quorum for its regular meeting Monday night, Feb. 10. Member Cindy Kaiser face-timed into the meeting from Florida after attempts to have her attend via Zoom failed. Members Corky Wong and Dennis Darr were absent.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported he could not quantify firefighters training hours as requested by advisory board member Nathan Scherer. Scott explained the firefighters train all the time and carry various certifications issued at the state and national level. Several firefighters are certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some of the certifications firefighters have include swift water rescue and ice rescue. “Residents should know the people protecting them are very well trained,” Scott told the board.

Scott also mentioned most of the firefighters in the Turkey Creek Fire Territory are cross trained as firefighters/paramedics.

Scherer explained he wanted to training quantified to show the dollars invested in training.

In new business, the board approved $30,000 for seven sets of turnout gear.

The purchase of emergency lights for the new Tahoe was tabled due to lack of a quorum. The amount for the new emergency lights for the Tahoe is $8,890. Scott reminded the board $60,000 was approved to purchase the Tahoe. The Tahoe cost $50,000 to purchase.

Battalion Chief Quinn Hunter has worked on the department’s promotion qualifications and disciplinary guidelines. Those now need to go before the Turkey Creek Advisory Board. Matt Dunithan, president of the fire territory board, asked Steve Snyder, attorney for the fire territory board, to look into whether the fire territory can pass a resolution advising approval.

Scott provided an update on the new ambulance. Representatives from the fire territory will travel to Van Wert, Ohio next week to inspect the ambulance. It will then be used as a demonstration vehicle for 60 days by the manufacturer before Turkey Creek Fire Territory receives it.

The department’s power load cot will be pulled from the existing ambulance and transferred to the new one, saving several thousand dollars.

Scott provided an update on the new fire engine. It is on track to be delivered in 2025. Due to some change orders the department will be saving of $2,500 by switching a few things out.

There is no update on the 2001 ladder truck. Scott reported it had a leaky valve. He is looking into whether it would be more cost effective to refurbish the truck or replace it. A new ladder truck would cost approximately $2.2 million.

The new training facility, located behind Station II on McClintic Road. Scott said NIPSCO still needs to run power to the location and Eric Hamman Excavating will be putting in the plumbing and wells. Estimated completion date is sometime in August.