Elkhart fire department authorized to seek bids for tiller ladder truck; crews honored for lifesaving response

The Elkhart Board of Public Safety on Nov. 25 authorized the fire department to begin a bid process for a new tiller (tiller-ladder) truck and accepted committee recommendations honoring firefighters involved in a lifesaving response.

A fire department representative explained that financing for the tiller ladder truck would be contingent on City Council approval expected in December and said, "By beginning the bid process, we'll be prepared to move forward promptly should the council authorize necessary funding." The board authorized seeking bids under bid number 2503 so the department can move quickly if the council approves funding.

The board also approved emergency-leave guidelines presented by the fire department that the presenter said align with departmental operations and the collective-bargaining agreement.

Separately, the board accepted an awards committee recommendation recognizing driver operator David Blankenship and Lieutenant Matthew Gerard for lifesaving actions on July 10, and a unit citation for Blankenship, Gerard and firefighter Zachary L. Eldridge for their coordinated response to a motorcycle crash with fire and critically injured patients. The presenter described how the crew extinguished the motorcycle fire, managed a severely bleeding arterial wound and coordinated blood-medical transport, actions the committee said met the criteria for lifesaving awards and a unit citation. Families were invited forward for photographs following the vote.

The board carried the motions by voice vote.