Pulaski County Emergency Management Agency recently shared some important information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA.
Continue readingTire-checking tips from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Pulaski Commissioners to Discuss EMA Lifetime Appointment Ordinance Today
Whether Pulaski County’s Emergency Management Agency director should have a lifetime appointment will be discussed by the county commissioners this morning. County Council member Kathi Thompson brought up the issue during last week’s joint session. She said the county’s ordinance granting a lifetime appointment has taken away some flexibility with the county’s budget.
Continue readingPulaski County Battling Rapid Increase in COVID-19 Spread
Pulaski County officials are battling the rapidly increasing spread of COVID-19. Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer gave an update on behalf of the incident management team to the county council Monday.
Continue readingPulaski Council Suggests Cutting EMA Director Position to Part-Time as Budget Discussions Continue
The Pulaski County Council is suggesting cutting the emergency management agency director position to part-time and reallocating airport tax revenues to the county’s General Fund. Council members continued working on the 2021 budget Monday.
Continue readingPulaski County Incident Management Team Gives Update on PPE Distribution
Pulaski County’s COVID-19 Incident Management Team is trying to find personal protective equipment for those who need it. Team members told the county council Monday that they’ve been providing PPE to the hospital, fire departments, and even some businesses.
Continue readingPulaski Incident Management Team Launches Facebook Page for COVID-19 Updates
Pulaski County officials have launched a new Facebook page to share information about the county’s COVID-19 response. An incident management team was established as part of the county’s public health emergency declaration. Now the group has set up its own Facebook page.
Continue readingPink Tape to Help Officials Mark Abandoned Vehicles in Snow Storms
Pulaski County emergency responders will have a new way of marking stranded vehicles during snow storms. Emergency Management Agency Director Sheri Gaillard told the county commissioners Monday that various agencies in the county have now been equipped with pink tape.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Member Creates List of Cost Saving Ideas for Commissioners
As Pulaski County’s budget discussions continue, one county council member has come up with a list of ideas for the county commissioners to explore that might cut costs and increase revenue. Kathi Thompson presented her discussion points during Monday’s special council meeting, with all three commissioners in attendance.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Votes to Move Ahead with Funding for West Annex Work
Pulaski County’s newest government building is costing more than originally thought. Last year, the county purchased the former Winamac Masonic Lodge and has since converted it into the West Annex, housing the Coroner’s Office and Emergency Management Agency.
Continue readingPulaski County Sheriff’s Department Touts Drone Purchase
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department has a new law enforcement tool. Chris Schramm discussed a recent drone purchase with the county commissioners last week.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Finalizes Additional Appropriations, Reappoints Library Board Member
The Pulaski County Council finalized more than $70,000 in additional appropriations this week. A large chunk of that was pension and vehicle funding for the Sheriff’s Department, according to Auditor Laura Wheeler.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Continues Discussing EMA Radio Equipment Funding
A $10,000 bill related to EMA radio equipment continued to be discussed during Monday’s Pulaski County Council meeting. Last month, council members said they wanted more information before moving forward with an additional appropriation.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Considers Options for Outside Reimbursement Funds Not Included in Budget
Reimbursable costs are eating into the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department budget. Sheriff Jeff Richwine recently told the county council that when his jailers have to transport federal inmates, his department gets $18 per hour from the federal government for their labor.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Wants More Information Before Moving Ahead with Funding for Radio Tower
The Pulaski County Council has decided to hold off on funding arrangements for a radio tower, amid concerns that it was purchased without the proper permission and that it may not actually be needed. When the Emergency Management Agency’s move to the West Annex was being planned last year, former maintenance director Jeff Johnston said moving the necessary radio equipment would cost about $10,000.
Continue readingPulaski County Coroner ‘Tickled to Death’ with New Facilities
After months of work, the Pulaski County coroner’s new morgue and office space is fully up and running. Coroner John Behny gave an update to the county council and commissioners last week, saying the facility is proving to be a good thing. “I just scratch my head. That place is amazing,” he said. “From what we started with just a few weeks ago to now, we’re tickled to death, just tickled to death. So is everybody else that has to come in there.”
Continue readingWarming Center Plans in Place in Pulaski County, Town of Culver
Residents of Pulaski County and the Town of Culver who may find themselves without heat may take advantage of area warming centers. In Pulaski County, the Emergency Management Agency office at 108 North Franklin in Winamac and the Francesville Fire Station are set to be used as warming centers if needed, according to EMA Director Sheri Gaillard. Pulaski County residents who need to use a warming center are asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 574-946-6655.
Continue readingNew Pulaski County Morgue Nearing Completion
The new space for the Pulaski County Coroner’s Office is almost complete. Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the county commissioners Monday that he was looking to move the morgue into the West Annex by the end of this week.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Approve Updated Hazardous Material Response Plan
An updated hazardous material emergency response plan was approved by the Pulaski County Commissioners last week. Emergency Management Agency Director Sheri Gaillard said the plan is almost the same as last year’s version. “The only additions to it or changes to it were training dates for hazardous material,” she explained, “and the Winamac fire chief and the Francesville fire chief were changed.”
Pulaski Commissioners Amend Ordinance, to Pay for EMA Radio Equipment Move
The Pulaski County Commissioners have agreed to a funding arrangement for the relocation of the Emergency Management Agency’s radio equipment. The EMA is moving from the courthouse to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge. Moving the radio antennas is expected to cost $10,000.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Revisit EMA Radio Equipment Move, Justice Center Fire Alarm
The Pulaski County Commissioners will continue discussing plans to move the Emergency Management Agency’s radio equipment to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge. Last month, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston suggested looking into whether the county’s DRMO funds could be used. That money comes from the sale of former military equipment owned by the county.
