Turkey Creek Fire Board member Bill Musser announced Monday, April 11, the process is underway to select the board’s at-large member to replace Steve Snyder, whose term ended Dec. 31.

“Randy Cox is interested in becoming the fifth board member,” said Musser, also a member of the Syracuse Town Council.

“The town council has met with him, and we will approve him at the meeting next week.”

Both entities must agree to Cox’s appointment before he can take a seat on the fire board.

Cox was a firefighter for the Atwood Fire Department and also worked for the county dispatch center.

In his monthly report, Fire Chief Mickey Scott informed the board:

• The department has utilized slightly more than 16 percent of its allotted 2016 budget with 25 percent of the calendar year elapsed.

• The department responded to 23 fire calls and 90 EMS calls in March with the territory suffering only $200 of property damage. The year-to-date total of 311 emergency responses is slightly up from 301 calls through March of last year.

• Fire and EMS personnel underwent 449.5 hours of training in March, with 14 department members completing the American Heart Association CPR instructor course. The department will commence public CPR classes next month at Station 1.

• The March training included instruction in SCBA, emergency vehicle on-board system operations, modern fire attack tactics, 360 degree scene assessment, site plans and autism awareness.

• The department purchased new SCBA equipment to replace the current outdated equipment. Last month the board approved $30,000 for the expenditure. The final invoice came in at $29,577.

• The territory’s outdoor warning sirens were activated twice Tuesday, March 22, in conjunction with the statewide tornado drill. The next test will occur 11 a.m. Friday, May 6, and will utilize the battery backup system. “Each siren has four backup batteries and a charger so the sirens will function up to 20 minutes with no AC power,” said Scott.

• All ground ladders and aerials passed an annual inspection last month.

• Scott will obtain price quotes to replace the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban command vehicle scheduled for replacement this year.

• “Also,” said Scott, “we did budget for the replacement of the overhead doors and door openers at Station 1 in the 2016 equipment replacement budget. These doors and openers are at least 30 years old with parts becoming no longer available.”

Scott cautioned, “It is only a matter of time before these doors fail and most likely at an inopportune time.” He will secure bids for the board’s consideration at next month’s meeting. The board approved $27,000 for the replacements last year.

The board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, May 9, at Syracuse Town Hall.