John Grolich granted public service funds to purchase equipment for fire departments

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 2:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

John Grolich, District Five Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association Chairman and head of the Marshall County Firefighters Association, appeared before the County Commissioners on Monday with a request to purchase a second drone for the eight area fire departments to share.

Grolich had already been approved to purchase one drone, but with additional conversations, it was recommended that he seek a second drone. He said the two drones will be housed at the Plymouth Fire Department since it is staffed 24/7.

Commissioner Adam Faulstich asked Grolich about the drones at the Sheriff’s Department and what the response time could be if a request was made. He said while there is a close partnership between the fire service and the Sheriff’s Department, they use the drones for a number of items, including major accident reconstruction.

Commissioner Stan Klotz suggested having the county insure the fire drones with the Sheriff’s Department drones.

Mike Miley, the county’s insurance consultant, suggested mutual aid agreements with the departments that will be using the drones.

The commissioners approved the purchase of a second drone for the fire services in Marshall County.

Grolich has a second request using the funds set aside to help emergency services. He was granted approval to purchase eight gas meters, one for each department. He said they are the same as NIPSCO uses to detect natural gas leaks and the presence of carbon monoxide.

A company from Valparaiso provided the low quote at $18,997 and would provide training for the tester. The second quote was $30,000.

Grolich said that when the grant funds were created, it was to help the emergency services in the county obtain needed equipment. He said he knows Culver has been able to manage their funds to purchase radios and SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus), but they will be purchasing a new piece of apparatus and wondered what the commissioners' thoughts of them using their $50,000 to assist with the purchase of apparatus.

Grolich also said he knows the LaPaz Union Township Fire Territory is struggling to fund a remount of an ambulance, where the cost is about $240,000.

The commissioners stood strong on not funding apparatus or capital projects but allowing the funds to purchase necessary equipment for emergency service departments in the county.