Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory EMS Chief Chris Fancil is shown addressing the Warsaw Board of Works and Public Safety on Friday, Feb. 17, regarding a naloxone grant. InkFreeNews photo by Caleigh Byrer.

By Caleigh Byrer
InkFreeNews

WARSAW —The Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety has approved a grant request to provide first responders with Narcan to help with overdoses locally.

Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory EMS Chief Chris Fancil requested permission at the board’s meeting on Friday, Feb. 17, to apply for a naloxone grant through the Indiana State Health Department for WWFT and other emergency agencies.

“Last year, our department alone gave Narcan to 40 different patients,” Fancil said.

He plans to apply for 350 doses of Narcan, which will be free of cost, but WWFT would be responsible for distribution to the other local public service departments.

The board approved the request to proceed with the application.

Fancil requested approval to pay a $260 fee to maintain WWFT’s International Critical Incident Stress Foundation membership, which allows it to access discounted classes and resources.

“It’s a really good way to help keep us educated and trained on the best way to deal with certain responses,” Fancil said. The board approved the payment of the fee, which occurs every two years.

WWFT also asked for permission to proceed with an agreement to create a QR coded website for a local resource management listing and a phone app. Housing, food, mental health resources and other assets will be put together for cohesive, easy access.

WWFT recently received a grant from the Kosciusko Community Foundation for the C.A.R.E.S. program in the amount of $7,500 that will cover the majority of the website/app costs.

Fancil stated WWFT did not have a solidified contract with 1Eighty Digital quite yet, but was provided an estimate of $7,800, leaving only $300 in expenses to be covered.

“This is a big part of the C.A.R.E.S program, when we identify someone who is in need of resources in the community, the idea is to be able to make that referral,” said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.

The board approved the acceptance of the KCCF grant and recommended WWFT proceed with the 1Eighty Digital plan.

The board also approved WWFT keeping Beers Mallers as its attorney at a rate of $150 per hour with a $500 retainer for 2023 and the renewal of a contract with Zoll Medical Corp., the company responsible for evaluating the department’s heart monitors.

Warsaw Parks and Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer presented six potential additions to the Warsaw Parks summer concert series, all of which were approved:

• Ball Brothers will be performing July 14, for the amount of $2,550
• Out of Favor Boys will be performing June 23, for the amount of $1,200
• Quinten Flagg will be performing Aug. 11, for the amount of $800
• The 1985 will be performing Aug. 18, for the amount of $2,500
• The Lake Area Community Band will be performing Aug. 4, for the amount of $600
• The Whateverly Brothers will be performing June 30, for the amount of $600

Schaefer noted that these events were made possible by a KCCF grant.

Schaefer also requested permission to apply for the Indiana Arts Commission grant for the fiscal cycle of 2023-2024 in the amount of $5,000 and stated it will be used to fund the summer concert series next year. The board granted permission to continue with the grant application.

Warsaw Parks and Recreation Superintendent Larry Plummer requested permission to enter a contract that includes chairs, tables and other equipment for the newly renovated pavilion. The board approved this contract proposal.

The following acquisition, pay application and pay rate presented by Community Economic Development Director Jeremy Skinner were approved:

• Acquisition for parcel number five, which is the final property to be involved in the Anchorage Road right-of-way project, in the amount of $30,340.
• Pay application for the airport lift station in the amount of $134,492
• The 2023 pay rate for John Kimple & Associates

The board approved the travel requests for: Thallemer to attend the Mayor’s Institute for 3 days in March; Engineer Aaron Ott to attend Purdue Road School; three Warsaw Police Department officers to attend a certification course; a WPD officer to attend training for child forensic interviewing; the police department systems administrator to attend training in Nashville for one week; and the fire inspector to attend the annual Fire Inspector Association Banquet in Vincennes.

The board also approved its own agreement with Baker Tilly for 2023, which is not to exceed $35,000.