Showing posts with label Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. Show all posts
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
5/20/2017 Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department Car Show
Car Show and more, May 20th 8am-2pm at the old Holy Cross property (7520 US-421, San Pierre, IN 46374 - a half mile south of the fire station on 421, if you've reached 10 west you've gone to far).
We will have a DJ, food and more! Pre-register to enter your vehicle (anything with wheels) to save 50% !!!
You can email railroadtownshipfire@embarqmail.com or call 219-828-5843 with questions!
We will have a DJ, food and more! Pre-register to enter your vehicle (anything with wheels) to save 50% !!!
You can email railroadtownshipfire@embarqmail.com or call 219-828-5843 with questions!
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Railroad Township Seeking County Permission to Use Radio Frequency
Posted on February 6, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Commissioners are being asked to weigh in on an issue affecting the newly established Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. The township owns the radios firefighters use to communicate with one another and with dispatchers at the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. However, the San Pierre Fire Department holds the license for the radio frequency.
Railroad Township officials will speak to the commissioners during tonight’s 6 p.m. meeting about the issue. The new fire department was formally established after township trustee Mandy Thomason failed to reach a contract agreement with the San Pierre Fire Department after months of strained relations.
The Starke County Commissioners will also make appointments to the Knox Planning Commission and the CVC Board tonight. Consideration of a responsible bidding ordinance is also on the agenda, along with monthly reports from Starke County EMS and the Starke County Highway Department.
Tonight’s meeting will take place in the meeting room of the county annex building.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Commissioners are being asked to weigh in on an issue affecting the newly established Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. The township owns the radios firefighters use to communicate with one another and with dispatchers at the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. However, the San Pierre Fire Department holds the license for the radio frequency.
Railroad Township officials will speak to the commissioners during tonight’s 6 p.m. meeting about the issue. The new fire department was formally established after township trustee Mandy Thomason failed to reach a contract agreement with the San Pierre Fire Department after months of strained relations.
The Starke County Commissioners will also make appointments to the Knox Planning Commission and the CVC Board tonight. Consideration of a responsible bidding ordinance is also on the agenda, along with monthly reports from Starke County EMS and the Starke County Highway Department.
Tonight’s meeting will take place in the meeting room of the county annex building.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department Up and Running
Posted on February 1, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
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. “We have secured the building,” he says. “We are working on addressing some equipment issues and are recruiting members at this time.”
The changeover cleared a major hurdle Monday, when Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall found that Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason has the sole authority to enter into a fire protection contract, without the need for the township board’s approval. Tilleraas says a contract between Thomason and the new fire department was signed immediately after Monday’s court hearing, and the department responded to its first structure fire that evening.
According its filing with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office, the Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department was officially created last Thursday, with Tilleraas listed as the incorporator. “It started with a group of members from the San Pierre Fire Department that wanted to continue to serve the community and work with the trustee on fire protection,” Tilleraas explains.
The relationship between the San Pierre Fire Department and Thomason became increasingly tense, with Thomason accusing the department of several breaches of contract and other violations. Meanwhile, firefighters say that Thomason refused to work with the San Pierre Fire Department on a potential contract renewal.
Tilleraas says anyone interested in volunteering with the Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department may call the San Pierre Fire Station at 219-828-5843.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
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. “We have secured the building,” he says. “We are working on addressing some equipment issues and are recruiting members at this time.”
The changeover cleared a major hurdle Monday, when Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall found that Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason has the sole authority to enter into a fire protection contract, without the need for the township board’s approval. Tilleraas says a contract between Thomason and the new fire department was signed immediately after Monday’s court hearing, and the department responded to its first structure fire that evening.
According its filing with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office, the Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department was officially created last Thursday, with Tilleraas listed as the incorporator. “It started with a group of members from the San Pierre Fire Department that wanted to continue to serve the community and work with the trustee on fire protection,” Tilleraas explains.
The relationship between the San Pierre Fire Department and Thomason became increasingly tense, with Thomason accusing the department of several breaches of contract and other violations. Meanwhile, firefighters say that Thomason refused to work with the San Pierre Fire Department on a potential contract renewal.
Tilleraas says anyone interested in volunteering with the Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department may call the San Pierre Fire Station at 219-828-5843.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Court Decision Paves Way for Change in Railroad Township Fire Protection
Posted on January 31, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The restructuring of Railroad Township’s fire protection will be able to proceed, following a decision in Starke Circuit Court Monday.
Judge Kim Hall ruled that as township trustee, Mandy Thomason has sole authority to enter into a fire protection contract, without the approval of the township board. That allows her not to renew Railroad Township’s contract with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department and instead contract with a new Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Since an initial court hearing on December 30, the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department had been providing fire protection under a temporary contract extension. It was designed to give Thomason and the fire department another chance to work out an agreement, but no progress was made during that time.
Attorney Cassandra Hine represented former San Pierre Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski and Railroad Township Board members Clarence Gehrke and Gus Eckert. Hine said Monday that Thomason refused to meet with Interim San Pierre Fire Chief Mike Korous out of fear for her personal safety. To aid in the negotiation process, Hine requested that the case be referred to mediation and that another contract extension be put in place in the meantime.
However, Judge Hall said the dispute boiled down to whether Thomason had the sole authority to approve a fire protection contract or whether it also required the approval of the township board. He pointed out that since he didn’t see a scenario where the township board could have sole authority, any decision he could make would eventually lead to the same result: a non-renewal of the San Pierre Fire Department’s contract.
In his ruling, Hall cited several sections of state statute. He found that the township board’s authority when it comes to contracts is limited to financial oversight. Hall compared the situation to a county council’s authority to approve the expenditures of the county sheriff.
Meanwhile, Thomason’s attorneys said that she was ready to sign a contract with the new fire department. However, several questions remain. For example, the radios used by firefighters are owned by the township, but the license to operate them still apparently belongs to the San Pierre Fire Department. Meanwhile, some other equipment is actually owned by Kankakee Township, and whether the new fire department will be allowed to use it remains to be seen.
During Monday’s hearing, Hine criticized the proposed arrangement as fire protection “in name only.” She pointed out that the Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department has only legally existed since last Thursday. Hine also said that several residents are ready to begin impeachment proceedings against Thomason, believing that the change amounts to a failure to provide fire protection, as required under state law.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The restructuring of Railroad Township’s fire protection will be able to proceed, following a decision in Starke Circuit Court Monday.
Judge Kim Hall ruled that as township trustee, Mandy Thomason has sole authority to enter into a fire protection contract, without the approval of the township board. That allows her not to renew Railroad Township’s contract with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department and instead contract with a new Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Since an initial court hearing on December 30, the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department had been providing fire protection under a temporary contract extension. It was designed to give Thomason and the fire department another chance to work out an agreement, but no progress was made during that time.
Attorney Cassandra Hine represented former San Pierre Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski and Railroad Township Board members Clarence Gehrke and Gus Eckert. Hine said Monday that Thomason refused to meet with Interim San Pierre Fire Chief Mike Korous out of fear for her personal safety. To aid in the negotiation process, Hine requested that the case be referred to mediation and that another contract extension be put in place in the meantime.
However, Judge Hall said the dispute boiled down to whether Thomason had the sole authority to approve a fire protection contract or whether it also required the approval of the township board. He pointed out that since he didn’t see a scenario where the township board could have sole authority, any decision he could make would eventually lead to the same result: a non-renewal of the San Pierre Fire Department’s contract.
In his ruling, Hall cited several sections of state statute. He found that the township board’s authority when it comes to contracts is limited to financial oversight. Hall compared the situation to a county council’s authority to approve the expenditures of the county sheriff.
Meanwhile, Thomason’s attorneys said that she was ready to sign a contract with the new fire department. However, several questions remain. For example, the radios used by firefighters are owned by the township, but the license to operate them still apparently belongs to the San Pierre Fire Department. Meanwhile, some other equipment is actually owned by Kankakee Township, and whether the new fire department will be allowed to use it remains to be seen.
During Monday’s hearing, Hine criticized the proposed arrangement as fire protection “in name only.” She pointed out that the Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department has only legally existed since last Thursday. Hine also said that several residents are ready to begin impeachment proceedings against Thomason, believing that the change amounts to a failure to provide fire protection, as required under state law.
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