With the lack of resolution to the ongoing radio communications with the Starke County’s firefighters, the Starke County Commissioners will be looking for a different radio vendor.
Continue readingNorth Judson Fire Chief Shares Plans to Form Grant Committee with Town Council Members
The North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department will soon be forming a grant committee.
Fire Chief Joe Leszek told council members last week that the firefighters will be putting together a committee at their next meeting in order to have as many eyes as possible searching for available funding. Continue reading
No Injuries Reported in English Lake House Fire
A Saturday night house fire resulted in moderate damage to an English Lake home, according to firefighters. The fire was reported around 7:40 in the 7000 block of West 250 South. A nearby resident says the house was completely engulfed in flames. Railroad Township Assistant Fire Chief Andy Tilleraas says there were no injuries, and the fire remains under investigation.
Firefighters Battle Large Fire in San Pierre
(video by Andrew Ostrega)
Firefighters from several area fire departments were called to a large structure fire in San Pierre Monday night.
Two Positions on North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department Will Need Filled in 2019
Officials with the North-Judson Wayne Township Fire Department will be looking to fill two open positions after the first of the year. Continue reading
North Judson Fire Chief Highlights Recent Hose Training, Commends Firefighters on Educational Progress
Fire Chief Joe Leszek shared some updates about the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department when the town council met last Monday.
Chief Leszek highlighted some hose technique training that the firefighters participated in during the month of September. He explained that the techniques that were taught are ones that are frequently utilized by the Valparaiso Fire Department. Continue reading
Autopsy Results Released in Medaryville House Fire Investigation
The Pulaski Coroner’s Office released information Sunday afternoon from the autopsy and a toxicology test performed on a victim found in a house fire in Medaryville.
Death in Rural Medaryville House Fire Ruled a Homicide
Pulaski County Chief Deputy Coroner Jon Frain has ruled the death of a person in last week’s fatal house fire in rural Medaryville as a homicide.
Starke County Fire Departments Address Radio Problems with Council, Commissioners
Firefighters from Knox-Center Township, North Judson-Wayne Township, Hamlet-Davis Township, Koontz Lake-Oregon Township, Railroad Township, and Washington Township Departments are pleading with county officials to help fix an ongoing communication problem with radios.
Starke County Community Foundation Impact Grant Utilized to Help Save Lives
A recent impact grant awarded by the Starke County Community Foundation is helping local emergency personnel save lives.
Starke County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) used the $14,350 they received from the SCCF to purchase a LUCAS CPR Device, and paid for one year of maintenance for the medical apparatus. The technology performs non-stop CPR, freeing the EMS responder to treat and transport the patient to the emergency room. Continue reading
North Judson-Wayne Township Firefighters Battle Factory Fire
Firefighters fought a fire at American Oak in North Judson shortly after 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Provides Figures for Potential Signs
Funding for some potential new signs for the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department was discussed at Monday night’s town council meeting.
Fire Chief Joe Leszek told council members that the Fire Department recently held a business meeting and came up with a solid figure that they would be able to pledge towards the purchase of three new signs. Continue reading
NJ Town Council Discusses Funding for a Potential Electronic Sign at the Fire Station
North Judson Town Council members recently received an update about funding for the proposed purchase of some electronic signs at the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Station. Continue reading
Materials From Old North Judson Fire House Used for Memorial Wall, Fire Chief Shares Grant Success
The North Judson Fire Department plans to commemorate their old firehouse with a monument in front of the new building. At Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting, Fire Chief Joe Leszek explained that some material from the old firehouse was retrieved during the demolition process.
Leszek told members, “When the old firehouse was torn down, some of our members went over there and we salvaged some of the limestone and it was always our plan to build a small little memorial wall.” Continue reading
Red Cross to Serve Meals in Starke, Pulaski Counties Saturday and Sunday
Red Cross volunteers will be serving meals in Starke and Pulaski counties Saturday and Sunday. Lunch will be available at the Monterey Fire Station from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. Dinner will be served there from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Meals will also be served at the Winamac Fire Station from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. EST for lunch and 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. for dinner.
Benefit Breakfast for North Judson Fire Chaplain Scheduled for Tomorrow
The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department is holding a benefit breakfast for Chaplain Paul Newcomer at 7 a.m. on Saturday.
At Monday night’s town council meeting Fire Chief Joe Leszek explained that Newcomer was diagnosed with prostate cancer and recently underwent a successful surgery. They are holding this at-will donation benefit as a way to raise funds to help cover his medical expenses. Continue reading
North Judson-Wayne Township Firefighters Battle House Fire
Firefighters from the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department battled a house fire Thursday night.
According to Fire Chief Joe Leszek, they arrived at the scene just after 5:30 p.m. CT at 7756 N. 750 W. in Pulaski County. The house was completely engulfed when they arrived with three tanker trucks, an engine truck and a brush truck. They cleared the scene just after 8 p.m.
North Judson Fire Chief Shares Ways The Department is Raising Funds for the Town
North Judson Fire Chief Joe Leszek presented council members with a few different ways the fire department is helping bring money into the town at Monday’s town council meeting.
Leszek shared that the fire fighters host a number of fundraisers which prove successful and added that the volunteers also go out of their way to apply for grants. They recently received $8,000 worth of grant funding
“We got a $3,000 dollar Starke County Community Foundation Grant, no match, it’s $3,000 of free money for us. We also got a $2,500 REMC Grant and then we also got a $2,500 Monsanto Grant.”
Leszek explained that the grant funds will be put toward the purchase of brush fire gear for all members and will also be spent to upgrade some leaky tanks on a couple of trucks. Continue reading
Crews Battle Fire at Cravin’s
Firefighters from the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department were called to Cravin’s in North Judson Thursday night.
According to Fire Chief Joe Leszek, old tires inside the building were on fire. Crews were on the scene for about two hours. No injuries were reported. No other fire departments were called to assist.
North Judson Fire Department Still Frustrated by Lack of Clarity on Narcan
The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department is no closer to figuring out whether it can legally administer the opioid antidote Narcan. While the fire department is getting more and more drug overdose calls, firefighters have stopped carrying Narcan, since the department is not technically licensed to carry medication.