Railroad Township Volunteer Firefighters are apparently back on the job. At about 7:30 Thursday evening, Fire Chief Trask Darabaris told WKVI News that the department was back in service, after questions about insurance coverage were resolved. He said the reason his department had temporarily stopped responding to calls was that firefighters did not know which members were covered by the township’s insurance and which were not, if someone were to be injured while on a call.
Three local fire departments are teaming up to provide temporary coverage to Railroad Township. The North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department announced on Facebook Thursday that Chief Joe Leszek, along with the chiefs of the LaCrosse and Medaryville-White Post Township volunteer fire departments, have agreed to cover Railroad Township on a non-contracted basis.
A group of Railroad Township Volunteer Firefighters has apparently walked off the job. In a letter to Township Trustee Mandy Thomason, the firefighters say they’re “unable to respond to any calls for service,” due to what they say is her unwillingness to provide insurance for each member of the department.
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.
The battle over fire protection in Railroad Township has led to some significant legal costs. Last week, the township board approved an additional appropriation of $60,000 to cover attorney’s fees.
The Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department has now been around for roughly two-and-a half months. Fire Chief Andy Tilleraas says the process of getting the department up and running has been going well. Continue reading
Railroad Township officially has a new fire protection provider. The Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department took over from the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department Monday afternoon, according to Railroad Township Fire Chief Andy Tilleraas. Continue reading
The restructuring of Railroad Township’s fire protection will be able to proceed, following a decision in Starke Circuit Court Monday. Continue reading
The Railroad Township Board is calling for a stop to the restructuring of the township’s fire protection services. Board members Gus Eckert and Clarence Gehrke gathered in special session Wednesday to pass a resolution rejecting a plan to sever ties with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. Continue reading
San Pierre firefighters and local residents are weighing their options, when it comes to the future of the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason announced plans last week not to renew the township’s contract with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department at the end of the year. In its place, the township would establish its own fire department, which it would operate directly. Continue reading
Railroad Township plans to take direct control of its fire protection services, following allegations of various breaches of contract with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. Township Trustee Mandy Thomason has announced that the current form of the fire department will be disbanded at the end of the month. Continue reading
