Portage’s new nearly $1 million firetruck has already seen an estimated 40 calls in its first week of service. It’s part of the fire department’s move toward the future.
At its dedication, Fire Chief Chris Crail said, “Today is not just about adding a new vehicle to our fleet; it’s about reaffirming our dedication to the people of Portage.”
The engine, purchased under former Fire Chief Randy Wilkening, was delivered, dedicated and put into service this month.
It’s safer for firefighters than the old truck, with airbags and seat belts. There’s even a side curtain airbag in the cab to cushion firefighters who might be rushing to an emergency call and get into an accident, Captain Andy Himan said.
The truck can pump 1,500 gallons per minute, emptying its 1,000-gallon tank in less than a minute, firefighter/paramedic Jordan Bucy said.
Even as the new engine went into service, another broke down. Among Crail’s concerns is finding a way to fund costly new equipment on a more frequent and regular basis.
The tower truck is back in service, but it’s 26 years old and showing its age, he said.
Crail said the department reached a milestone last week, filling a job opening that brings the department up to full staff, at least for now.
“That does, for the first time in a long time, make us full,” he said. “Being able to say we are full-staffed is definitely a good feeling.”
More openings are expected with additional retirements coming this year.
“The people that we want, they’re type A people,” Mayor Austin Bonta said. “There’s a shortage all over, but I always say the city that solves that is the city that’s going to be doing the best.”
Crail said once firefighters come on board, they undergo paramedic training. The 1,500 hours of schooling is roughly the level of an associate degree but requires about one-quarter of the time to attain. “The paramedic program is second to none, and they come out very well.”
Bonta previously served on the city’s fire merit board. Among the things that impresses him about the fire department is that firefighters are able to serve on the SWAT and water rescue teams. That has impressed job applicants, he said, because those are opportunities many other cities don’t offer.
The dive team can be activated 24/7 to serve anywhere between Chicago and Michigan. “I think it attracts a lot of quality to our department,” Bonta said.
“Portage’s benefits for employees, whether you’re talking healthcare or retirement, they’re just fantastic,” Bonta added.
Down the road, the city will need another fire station, he said. The northernmost station, on Crisman Road, needs to go further north, he said, and a training center for police and firefighters is needed somewhere in the city.
“We get so busy in our call volumes that we can’t always make time to go elsewhere to do our training,” Crail said.
They used to use the former Garyton School, but the building’s condition has deteriorated. Structural issues and wildlife have made their presence known. “They’re to starting to make it their habitat in there,” he said.
Crail also hopes to lower the city’s ISO rating to reduce insurance costs for residents and businesses. That would be an economic development tool, he said.
The city’s current ISO rating is 3. Crail plans to see what it would take to get it to ISO 2, which Valparaiso currently has.
“It’s going to be busy, but I think we’re going to have a good team that is starting to tackle things,” Crail said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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