A 3-D model of the proposed Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Station 3 was shown to the territory board Tuesday.

WARSAW — A dream of a third fire station for Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory is one step closer after WWFT board members approved an agreement with MartinRiley, Fort Wayne, Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 6. Originally estimated at $4,470,160 in January, the cost has been reduced to $3,623,852 for a smaller station. The agreement will go before the Warsaw Board of Works Sept. 16 for action.

The new estimate includes a reduction in construction costs, professional fees, and a 7 percent reduction in GAI Consultants fee estimate/study and permit costs. The original estimate did not include estimated soft goods costs, which is included in the new estimate. WWFT Fire Chief Michael Wilson stated these estimates were obtained from local businesses.

A back and side view of the new station, including a ramp and stairs to the basement and an outdoor eating area for firefighters.

Construction is estimated at $3,142,033; professional fees estimated at $290,000, GAI estimate/study/permits at $65,124 and the estimated soft goods is at $126,695. Wilson provided a list of soft goods for the station, which included items for the equipment bay, kitchen, living quarters, sleeping quarters, laundry, office, training and community room, radio equipment and weight room.

Prior to approval of the agreement, Mayor Joe Thallemer questioned if soft good items were included in the original estimate or if this was a new estimate. Aimee Shimasaki, with Martin/Riley, was present and noted some items were not included in the original estimate, but a percentage was built in for some items. It was also noted the professional fees were based on 9.06 percent of the construction costs.

Andrew Grossnickle, fire territory attorney, pointed out a discrepancy in the agreement, where the billing rate schedule still noted a 15 percent payment to MartinRiley.

Shimasaki also presented a 3-D computer generated model of the new station, which will be shown to the BOW Sept. 16.

The motion to accept the agreement was made by Sheila Burner, seconded by Gordon Nash. It was approved unanimously.

During other business:

• Wilson announced Trenton Rapp, a Warsaw Community High School Co-op student, has begun his duties with the department. Rapp wants to become a paramedic/firefighter.
• Approval was given to apply for a training center infrastructure maintenance grant in the amount of $75,000. The grand would reimburse WWFT and the city for funds used to update and maintain the training facility, used by firefighters throughout the county and Indiana Department of Homeland Security District 2.
• Wilson announced Miles Waters has completed his probationary period with the department and will be sworn in as a firefighter at the Sept. 16 BOW meeting.
• Approval was given to the department’s book of standards, policies and best practices. This establishes a set of guidelines and policies relevant to the standards of firefighting through best practices of education, training, National Fire Protection Association, Indiana Fire Chief’s Association, and the International Fire Chief’s Association.
• Travel requests were approved for firefighters to attend seminars and training including trench, heavy lift and stabilizing, and a statewide technical rescue training.
• The monthly fire activity report detailed the 193 responses in July by incident type and a summary of each response. It also noted the number of training hours and type of training firefighters had, number of tours and confined space entries.
• With approval by the board, the October meeting was changed from 4 p.m. Oct. 4, to 4 p.m. Oct. 11.

A reminder of the Family Safety Day Saturday, Sept. 10, was made with a flier detailing the day’s events distributed.