Shelia Bruner and Joe Streeter take the oath of office for Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory Advisory Board. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Protection Territory advisory board members took the oath of office Monday in the board’s first meeting of the year.

Sworn in for another year’s term were Sheila Burner,  Joseph Streeter and Diane Quance. Gordon Nash was absent and will be sworn in at the February meeting. Shirley Fetrow was also appointed recording secretary.

“I always appreciate your service,” said Mayor Joe Thallemer, who chairs the meeting. “The board is very important from a public safety standpoint and making the fire territory as safe as possible. Having good people make’s everyone’s job much easier.”

Diane Quance takes her oath of office

Board members did approve an agreement with Green, Grossnickle & Flecker for legal services in 2015. The agreement includes a $500 retainer fee and $150 per hour for legal services. Andrew Grossnickle will serve as the board’s legal counsel.

WWTF Fire Chief Mike Brubaker highlighted one of the monthly claims with a cost of $2,742, which led to a brief explanation and discussion. Brubaker stated the cost was for annual preventative maintenance on the JAWS units. While there are two sets, the oldest set is 20 years to 30 years old. “The JAWS have age on them,” said Bubaker noting a new set of rescue tools will be coming with the purchase of the new rescue truck.

However, the problem with the units, Brubaker said is the metals used in manufacturing cars is changing. “The cutter will not cut bi-metals, it will break the cutters. It won’t cut steel.” He stated stiffeners are being placed in various locations in vehicles, often in areas where rescue equipment may need to be used to free a patient.

“We will need to upgrade one set,” he stated and when asked about the cost of the newer equipment, he stated the ball park figure is $35,000.

Thallemer questioned if the current age of the equipment and changes in vehicles has caused an inability to perform rescues or concerns. Brubaker stated if there is a portion which cannot be cut, without breaking the equipment, rescue crews will go around it. “It slows down the process.” He added 99 percent of the time if “we can’t go through the initial object, we’ll go to plan B.”

Brubaker reported in November the department responded to 119 calls, 88 within Warsaw city limits, 25 in the township and six out of the area. The department was requested to standby for 14 confined space entries for local businesses and the Wastewater Teatment Plant, 26 inspections by the inspections division, gave tours to five adults and five children.

Department members trained 210 hours in various areas and continues to participate in the city smoke detector program.

Board members acknowledged the work change order on the south fire station lowering the amount to $172,527.25 and the payment to G & G Hauling & Excavating Inc., for the work at the south station in the amount of $268,439.33 with $4,087.92 being retained until spring. The City Board Of Works approved the change order and payment on Dec. 19.

Final action of the evening was approval of travel requests for Rob Barker, Aaron Bolinger and Brubaker to attend state training programs.

The board meets at 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in the common council meeting room in city hall.