Corky Wong, left, Cindy Kaiser, Matt Dunithan and Dennis Darr look over paperwork during the Turkey Creek Fire Territory meeting held Monday night, May 12. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE  — Battalion Chief Brian Richcreek requested permission to attend aerial truck training in Ohio during the Turkey Creek Fire Territory’s regular meeting Monday night, May 12. The training will be held from Dec. 10-12 and will cost approximately $630 to attend, with housing and food extra.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott explained the new aerial the department will take delivery of in early 2026 is significantly different than the current aerial.

Matt Dunithan, president of the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board, asked if anyone else in the department was interested in going. Scott said he wasn’t sure.

Board member Cindy Kaiser asked how Senate Bill I will affect the fire territory. Dunithan said he’s been trying to crunch the numbers, but figures for the county, town or fire territory there are not yet. “It appears we’re going to take a hit … Right now, we just don’t know,” he said.

Dunithan did mention the option of a public safety tax where funds would go specifically for public safety, such as EMS, sheriff’s department, fire departments and dispatch. This option is not currently being utilized in Kosciusko County and a resolution would have to be passed by July 1 in order for it to go into affect in 2026. Dunithan noted one potential issue is if a public safety tax is implemented, it would be the county council who would decide how much money each agency would receive, meaning the fire territory could be left short of necessary funds.

Board member Corky Wong suggested reaching out to other fire chiefs and township trustees to see if it’s worth looking into.

Dunithan then turned the discussion to creating a budget committee. He would like the committee to be formed with one fire territory board member, one township advisory board member, Scott and Turkey Creek Township Trustee Joe Cazier. The idea behind the committee is to look at how to better utilize the fire territory’s funds. Wong volunteered to be the fire territory’s representative on the committee.

Wong inquired about off-duty firefighters responding to major incidents, asking if they were required to respond, or if they responded, if they were available.

Hunter explained they respond if they are available. Dunithan suggested in the case of a major fire, county dispatch be asked to put out an all call to off-duty firefighters.

In old business, Scott reported the new fire engine is expected to be delivered in August 2026. Work continues on the training facility. NIPSCO is having some issues providing electrical service due to a supply chain issue. The training box is complete.

The new ambulance was delivered April 25. The department has been busy moving all the equipment from the old ambulance to the new one. It should be ready in the next few weeks or so. Scott explained the new ambulance needs Wifi for some of the medical equipment to work. Once that’s installed, the new ambulance will be put into service. Scott said the old ambulance can go on auction as soon as possible.

The department is also looking at the getting started on the correct way to bid out the old aerial truck once the new truck has arrived. Dunithan noted the department wants to have a buyer on hand when the new truck arrives as there isn’t room to park two ladder trucks inside and they can’t be left out in the elements.