Commissioners approve on 1st reading ordinance creating M.C. Public Safety Grant Program

The Marshall County Commissioners handled several items at the end of their meeting on Monday.

The commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing the Marshall County Public Safety Grant Programs line item in the budget.  Each year the County Council has the option to appropriate funds for the program with 80% of the money being divided by the eight departments in the county. (Argos, Bremen, Bourbon, Culver, LaPaz, Plymouth, Polk Twp. and Tippecanoe Fire Departments) 

The remaining 20% of the funds will be set aside for “Special Projects” which would include purchasing equipment for all departments or available for countywide use and countywide training opportunities.  John Grolich, President of the County Fire Association gave examples of gas meters to determine levels for firefighters or even a countywide drone that would be available to assist during fires and investigations.

Commissioner Adam Faulstich asked if there were clear expectations on how a department can apply for and receive funding.  He said there have been issues with departments not participating in countywide training provided by the Emergency Management Agency.

During the commissioner’s meeting, Grolich said, “I think fire services across the board appreciate your efforts to help everybody out.  We are all struggling.”  He went on to say if the new OSHA elements proposed across the nation are enacted it will have a drastic impact on our local departments.    

While the commissioners approved creating the new fund on the first reading of the ordinance, they will modify it for the second and third readings at their next meeting on April 3^rd.