The recently established Railroad Township Fire Department can now communicate with the Starke County Dispatch Center and other emergency agencies. Chief Andy Tilleraas approached the county commissioners last night for formal permission to receive and transmit off of their radio frequency.
Starke County Attorney Marty Lucas notes the county owns the tower in San Pierre, but it is located on property that belongs to the township. He says transferring the arrangement to the new fire department is not an issue and does not require formal action by the commissioners.
Tilleraas says the Railroad Township Fire Department is planning to join the Starke County Rescue Association and will host that organization’s March meeting.
The new fire department was formed after Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason failed to negotiate a new contract with the San Pierre Fire Department. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall determined that entering into such an arrangement is the sole responsibility of the trustee and said the advisory board does not have a say in such matters.
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