Turkey Creek Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported at the Monday, March 12, fire board meeting, 37 first responders from six area fire departments and one law enforcement department participated in a day-long training course Scott’s department hosted Saturday, March 10.

The exercise, held at Syracuse Community Center, simulated a rail car accident involving crude, ethanol and other flammable liquids, and was designed to “educate emergency responders on freight rail car incidents involving hazardous materials,” said Scott.

The course, taught by the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, was held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Scott said he would provide a fuller report at an upcoming fire board meeting.

In his February report, Scott noted:

• The department responded to 19 fire calls and 92 EMS calls. The territory lost $665 in property value from a vehicle fire, and the department saved an estimated $50,000 in property value during its responses.

• Department personnel completed 295 hours of fire and EMS training, including operational and vehicle checks, emergency preplanning for local businesses, winter driving operations and launching procedures onto ice, hydrant inspection, ice rescue techniques, CPR and AED classes and pharmacology protocol.

• All territory outdoor warning sirens were tested and found to be in working order.

• All department members completed naloxone administration training pursuant to an Indiana Department of Health grant.
Scott also reported the department attended a four-hour training session on how to improve the territory’s ISO fire protection rating.

“These ratings are a community rating, not just a fire department rating,” he said. “They are based on several aspects of responding to and controlling a structure fire.”

He noted the rating components: fire department, 50 percent; water department and water supply, 40 percent; and dispatch communications, 10 percent.

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