Hamlet-Davis Township Fire Department Assistant Chief Aaron Anderson approached the Starke County Commissioners Monday morning with purchase requests.
He noted that he went before the Starke County Council members during their recent meeting to request $10,000 in funding to purchase communication devices. He said JK Communications representatives could not re-program some of the radios that the fire department owns and they want to upgrade to new radios. There is also a desire to put tablets into the primary engine trucks and the rescue truck that would have mapping software similar to what Starke County EMS has. He noted that the tablets and mapping software would expedite response times and help direct them to the right call as dispatched from the Starke County Dispatch Center.
He added that all fire departments received $5,000 from the county in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help with purchases. This additional $10,000 was approved by the council for CEDIT funds for the purchase with that recommendation going to the Starke County Commissioners for approval.
Commissioner Don Binkley said he would like to see the money come from any solar revenue. County Attorney Justin Schramm said he contacted the company’s attorney and they need paperwork signed by the Starke County Council before its available to the county.
Commissioners Don Binkley and Charles Chesak approved the request as presented for $10,000 out of the CEDIT Fund. Commissioner Mark Gourley was not in attendance at the meeting.
