WARSAW — Fire Chief Mike Wilson announced that the department is hosting a community open house for the new Fire Station 3 on Oct. 20. The announcement was made during the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory meeting held on Oct. 2.

The open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a dedication ceremony at noon. The event will include a flag raising, dedication by Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer, remarks from others involved with the fire department and a hose uncoupling ceremony. A hose uncoupling ceremony is a firefighting tradition that replaces the ribbon cutting. The ceremony will end with the first firetrucks being placed inside the station’s bay.

It was noted that parking at the fire station is limited. Community members are encouraged to use the parking lot at Warsaw Community Church. Attendees can then walk over to the station or ride a bus provided by Zimmer-Biomet to the station. Station 3 is located at 620 West CR 200S, Warsaw.

The territory board then approved the lease agreement between the new station and Kosciusko Ambulance Service (Lutheran EMS). For the first time in department history, the EMS has a living and working space inside the fire station. This allows for faster response, better communication and teamwork between the departments.

To help offset the cost of utilities and use of the space, the lease agreement states that Lutheran EMS will pay monthly rental installments of $750. This agreement is through September 2021.

Both the city attorney, Mike Valentine, and territory attorney, Andrew Grossnickle previously reviewed and approved the contract.

Wilson commented on the ongoing working relationship between the departments at the new station. “Everythings going really well. They’re enjoying each other’s company, they’re enjoying working together. I think this is a great relationship we have entered into.”

Wilson mentioned that if the relationship continues to be beneficial, this could be a model other stations within the department follow in the future.