SYRACUSE — This was a year of significant upgrade to the equipment and facilities of the Turkey Creek Fire Department.

During the year, the fire department oversaw:

• Renovations to the department’s two fire stations in Syracuse

• Purchase of a new four-wheel-drive pickup truck to replace the department’s previous 2004 two-wheel-drive model

• Purchase of new cardiac monitors. The department went in on a shared purchase with two other emergency response departments to achieve cost savings and fully utilize a grant.

• Purchase of five SCBAs and 18 oxygen bottles to replace outdated equipment and comply with governmental regulations

• Installation of a baby box at Fire Station 2, 8138 E. McClintic Road on the south side of Syracuse. The box was dedicated for use in August.

• Purchase of two ambulances and three power cots, a new pumper and a new rescue engine. One of the ambulance purchases was an emergency purchase necessitated by damages to an existing department vehicle from an accident.

Through November 2019, the department responded to 204 fire calls and 1,122 EMS calls, saving approximately $1,374,000 in property damage. The fire territory experienced $371,900 in property loss during that time.

The department also conducted several American Heart Association CPR heartsaver classes and has another class scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Fire Station 1, 402 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. Anyone interested can register for the class by calling (574) 457-4100. The classes are free to the public. “We want to have as many people in our community as possible CPR trained,” said Fire Chief Mickey Scott. “Bystander CPR administered prior to our arrival definitely improves the chance of having a successful resuscitation for a patient in cardiac arrest.”

By the end of the calendar year, department personnel will have completed more than 5,600 hours of fire and EMS training on several dozen topics ranging from equipment operation and maintenance to emergency and rescue procedures to advanced life saving techniques.

Scott wrapped up his final monthly report at the Thursday, Dec. 12, fire board meeting by thanking the fire and township boards and town council “for working well together and with our department this year. Together we have made some big improvements for our department in 2019.

“We look forward to working with everyone in 2020 to continue to improve and provide the best care and protection we can to our citizens.

“We wish everyone in our community a happy and safe holiday season,” he said.