Members of the Turkey Creek Fire Territory board review the estimate on refurbishing the 2001 aerial truck.From left are Corky Wong, Cindy Kaiser, Matt Dunithan and Dennis Darr. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Turkey Creek Fire Territory board approved the purchase of a training box from Hammerhead Enterprises for the new training facility, which will be located behind Station II. The board approved the purchase during its regular meeting Monday, March 10.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott explained the training box will allow firefighters to test water flows and pressures in hoses while recycling the water. The training box costs $7,592 and is made of powder coated steel. Hammerhead Enterprises is a local company with a facility in the Syracuse Technology Park.

The board approved spending $3,400 on concrete work for the training box to sit on.

Scott reported the fire department will be participating in Indiana Severe Weather Week with storm sirens tested at approximately 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11.

Scott told the board the last time the sirens were tested one did not go off properly, but they weren’t sure if the issue was with dispatch or the siren itself.

The board approved purchasing emergency lighting for the department’s Tahoe from Dunny’s Pump Service. Board President Matt Dunithan recused himself from voting as he owns the business.

Scott gave an update on the new ambulance. The dealer is getting ready to put a wrap on it and it may be delivered earlier than anticipated.

A few changes, such as installing a small refrigerator, had to be made when members of the department went to inspect the ambulance after February’s fire territory board meeting

The department’s new fire engine is expected to go on the production line in April or May 2026 with delivery sometime in September 2026.

The board reviewed a quote to refurbish the 2001 aerial truck. To make all the necessary repairs the cost would be $1,370,000 and the truck would be out of commission for a year to a year and a half. Depending on what could be discovered once the work starts, the final price could be approximately 10% higher than the estimate.

A new truck costs approximately $2.2 million. Scott told the board he thinks he could sell the current aerial for $350,000 to $400,000 and noted the aerial was to be replaced in 2026 anyway.

Scott recommended sending a letter of intent to purchase a new aerial truck, which was approved.

Ritter Electric is scheduled to do the electrical work for the new training facility the week of March 24. After Ritter has completed its work, NIPSCO will come in and do its work.

The next Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board meeting will be at 6:45 p.m. April 14, at Syracuse Town Hall, 310 N. Huntington St., Syracuse.