City Clerk-treasurer Stacy Cox explained in an email earlier this month that the invoice for Logansport's portion of combined emergency dispatch operations for 2017 came in about $130,000 under what was budgeted. Her email goes on to applaud Cass County E911 Director Dan McDonald and his team for containing most of their expenses to the revenues they receive.
Logansport officials at a city council committee meeting Wednesday night decided to put the extra funds toward a new LFD ambulance along with a new tornado siren for the East End and one for the south side.
The cost of the sirens is about $27,000 each. One will replace the siren on top of the building in Eastgate Plaza that houses the Logansport Community School Corp. Adult Learning Center.
Cass County Emergency Management Agency Director Alvin Beckman said Thursday that the siren currently at that location was installed in the 1970s. While it still rotates, Beckman said an obsolete piece of equipment that emits the siren's sound was discovered to be broken this summer.
That's a vulnerable part of town, Beckman continued, as the closest sirens are on the City Building downtown, at 15th and High streets and in Bishop Park.
Logansport officials also want to get a new tornado siren for the south side, possibly on the LFD's south-side fire station property.
Beckman said it will replace the one on the former Jefferson School building, which works intermittently.
City Councilwoman Teresa Popejoy said at Wednesday's meeting that the new siren should not go on the former Jefferson School because of the property's uncertain future. She added there's been recent movement on the building between the school corporation, city and another entity.
Beckman said putting a siren northeast of the former Jefferson School like at the fire station will be more beneficial because there's already one at Fairview Park on the south side. A siren at the fire station would reach Ivy Tech Community College, 18th and Main streets and U.S. 35, Beckman said.
The LFD's 1987 ambulance is starting to show its age, according to Logansport officials. It's used as a backup in the city for the local ambulance provider, Prompt Ambulance Central.
Logansport Fire Chief Bernie Mittica said at Wednesday's meeting that a new ambulance would cost about $110,000.
Mayor Dave Kitchell said the city could take advantage of a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to help pay for the ambulance.
If the grant application is unsuccessful, Cox said the city has enough local option income tax funds earmarked for public safety to make up the difference left by the leftover dispatch funds.
Reach Mitchell Kirk at mitchell.kirk@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5130
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