Washington Township Fire Department Proposes New Training Facility

Posted on Author WKVI
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa

Washington Township Trustee, Shelly Kemble, and Washington Township firefighters Joe Short and David Pearman made a presentation to the Knox Community School Board about building a training tower at the old Washington Township School. Superintendent, A.J. Gappa explains why they had to seek the permission of the Board to pursue this project:

“Because the land that the old Washington Township school sits on was at one time donated to the school and given back to the Township and because of the structure of the Indiana laws, before anybody can do anything with that property, they have to get School Board approval. It’s supposed to be in the form of Parks and Recreation.”

Continue reading →

Firefighters Called to Two Fires Early Thursday Morning

Posted on Author WKVI
Fire crews battle a structure fire at the corner of Davis and Main Streets

Firefighters from the Hamlet Fire Department were called to a structure fire at the corner of Davis and Main Streets in Hamlet shortly after 1:00 this morning.

It is not known at this time what caused the fire in the vacant building, but officials at the scene said no injuries were reported. An investigation is pending. The Koontz Lake and Knox-Center Township Fire Departments were called to the scene for mutual aid.

Continue reading →

Fire Department Officers Participate in Training Sessions

Posted on Author WKVI
Mike Bucy and Joe Short from the Washington Township Fire Department

Local Fire Department officers participated in a two-day training session facilitated by Mike Bucy, Chief of the Stevens County Fire District #1 near Spokane, Washington. The sessions were held at the Washington Township Fire Department.

Bucy was asked about what the information he was giving to the officers.

Continue reading →

18-Year-Old Drowns After Jumping From Yellow River Bridge in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The treacherous Yellow River has claimed another life. Mercan Lyncook, of Parma Ohio jumped from the abandoned train bridge near the depot at 12:00 midnight Sunday morning, and because of limited swimming ability never made it back to shore. The 18-year-old man’s body was found by the Marshall County Dive Team at 2:00 a.m.

The Knox Police Department and Indiana Conservation Office received a call from Lyncook’s friend that he did not surface after diving into the water.

Assisting in the search were the Knox Volunteer Fire Department, Bass Lake Fire Department, Starke County Sheriff’s Department, Washington Township Fire Department, and Starke County EMS.

Fire Officer Training this Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI

The Washington Township Fire Department will be the location of a two-day training session for current fire officers and is open to firefighters.  Topics of discussion include leadership, decision-making, risk management, strategy and tactics, root cause problem solving, customer service, training, and more. The sessions will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 25th and 26th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT.

Continue reading →

Washington Township Fire Department Hosts Instructor 1 Training; Test

Posted on Author WKVI

Washington Township Fire Department was the site of an Instructor 1 training session that was open to Starke County Firefighters as well as firefighters in District 2 on Sunday. Washington Township was approved as the site for the course by Chief John Grolich of Plymouth who is the District 2 training coordinator. Those taking the class included firefighters from Starke County, Bremen, Argos and Etna Green.

Continue reading →

Washington Township Firefighters Complete State Certification Course

Posted on Author WKVI
Washington Township Training #2
Members of the Washington Township Fire Department train for certification

Twelve firefighters from Washington Township Fire Department participated in the 2010 State Firefighter I/II course. The course started in May and finished Sunday, November 14th. Firefighters met two days a week for lectures and hands-on activities.

The course covered topics such as fire service history, health and safety, fire behavior, ropes and knots, extrication, water supply, fire control, communications, fire prevention, public education and emergency medical care. Chief Stuart Short, Lt. David Emigh, James Coad, Josh Ream, Bill Lehiy, Chad Lehiy, TJ Reiss, Wallace (Boz) Williams, Corry Williams, Rookie Cody Williams, Rookie Terry Fawley, and Rookie Geary Manuel participated in the program.

Washington Township Training #3

Continue reading →