The Warsaw Fire Department will be better equipped to handle rescue operations since it has received approval to apply for a grant for safety equipment.

The Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety approved the department's request to apply for a grant and an equipment assistance program at its meeting Friday.

The department asked to apply for a grant from the K21 Foundation. The grant would be used for building and trench rescue operations and to assist in any unforeseen emergencies in relation to the Market Street Streetscape Project, according to Rob Barker, chief of training for the Warsaw Fire Department, who attended the meeting.

The equipment would include shoring struts, trench and building stabilization, specialized wood sheeting, hand tools, dewatering pumps and ventilation equipment at a cost of approximately $35,000. There is no matching fund involved and no cost to the city.

The board also approved a request from the Warsaw Fire Department to apply to the Department of Homeland Security's Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program for a thermal imaging camera.

The program makes this equipment available to help improve regional response and mutual aid. The camera would be used for technical rescues that could occur during and after natural disasters, fire suppression operations and hazardous rescue and recover operations. The thermal imager would be used for rapidly locating victims and identifying and locating hidden hazards.

The board also:

• Approved three releases of mortgages presented by Pam Kennedy, HOW executive director.

• Approved subordination for appraisal for James Baker's property. The total value of all liens on the property including the City of Warsaw lien is $165,915, 81 percent loan to value.

• Approved a Warsaw Parks and Recreation contract with Custom Fencing, Claypool, to replace fencing at Mantis Skate Park for $6,825. The project will include relocating the existing 8-foot chain link fence, a new 3-foot post, a 4-foot standard gate post and removing the old fence and post.

• Approved a contract for Noblock Excavating, Columbia City, for a $15,687.50 project to replace existing asphalt at Mantis Skate Park.

• Approved an Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Renewal Grant Award for $35,929 for the Warsaw Police Department Victim Assistance Program.

• Approved a request from the Plan Department for the Lake City Greenway committee to submit a request for funds and to accept a $147,974 grant from the Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation for the Chinworth Bridge Trail portion of the Lake City Greenway project.

• Approved a second payment of $38,000 to Clounie Landscaping, Huntington, for landscaping and hardscape on the Market Street Improvement Project.

• Approved travel requests for Fire Chief Mike Rice to attend Fire Territories and Districts and Pride and Ownership conferences, Mayor Ernie Wiggins to attend an Aviation Association conference and Street Superintendent Lacy Francis to attend a street commissioner association conference.

• Approved two new employees for the cemetery and a job change for the street department. They include Hans Hatala with the cemetery as grounds keeper at $11 an hour and Gabriel Balazs with the cemetery at $12.50 an hour and Matthew Goble with the street department as a refuse collector at $12.50 an hour.

Street Superintendent Lacy Francis reported fall leaf pick up will begin in a couple of weeks and people should put leaves in economical bags to be picked up on their regular trash days.

The board will meet again Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at city hall. [[In-content Ad]]