Call to go out for additional firefighters in Mt. Vernon

By Lois Mittino Gray

Mount Vernon Fire Chief Robert Wilson made a convincing pitch to members of the Mount Vernon Board of Works and Public Safety at their July 9, meeting to add four career firefighters to his department. “This request is based on a clear and sustained increase in emergency call volume, the continued growth of services expected of our department, and the need to provide safe, effective, and reliable emergency response for the citizens, businesses, and visitors of Mount Vernon,” he described.

Wilson cited historical facts, stating the department has operated with the same fire engine staffing model of two men per truck since at least 1952. “In 1950, the department responded to 62 calls for service the entire year. Today, we respond to about 62 calls in an average month. To date this year, we have responded to 559 calls, including 83 fire-related incidents. We are currently on pace to respond to approximately 1,068 calls this year,” he speculated. “We have remained at the same staffing level since the 1950s despite the dramatic changes in call volume, training requirements, emergency medical response needs, hazardous material concerns, technical rescue expectations, and enhanced overall community risk.”

Board member Andy Hoehn noted the heavy fire truck runs along with all of the ambulance calls and wondered if that twosome could be scaled back. Wilson replied in the affirmative. “It could be scaled back if we hired more guys. My goal is to run the F550 instead of an engine truck. We scaled back some, but we need the staffing. We would not need to take the million-dollar truck if we staffed the F550.”

Hoehn stated this is imperative now that the department is down one guy. Wilson reported Captain Charles Reese had surgery recently to repair a severe injury to his left bicep that he sustained while on a medical call Saturday evening, June 27. He will not be able to return to full duty on the truck for 4-6 months as this injury takes a very long time to heal. “This will undoubtedly strain my overtime and paid on call budget as we have to fill 4-6 months of 24-hour shifts,” he explained.

Mayor Steve Loehr remarked that he feels the idea of increasing the force is worth pursuing. “We will need to take a look at the numbers, since they speak volumes. We will need to get with Loren Evans, present it, and get the conversation started,” he commented.

Board member Hoehn agreed it should be pursued and thought that maybe Chief Wilson should start out asking for two positions since they should have some extra dollars this year. Chief Wilson stated it really needs to happen in 2027 since their hiring process does take quite a long time. Mayor Loehr added, “That being said, we should probably start on this today.”

Board member Hoehn agreed; especially being that they are already down one person. Chief Wilson reminded Board members that Captain Reese, with a record of 25 years in service, could retire and walk at any time. “Fireman Mastison and I are both approaching the 20-year mark. All three of us could leave anytime, you need new ones to come in to be taught by the older ones before they retire.”

Adding four would increase the career staff total of the department to twelve which would be four firefighters per shift. Chief Wilson said he has a well-trained professional eight now and also has volunteers, but they have full time jobs and families so it’s hard for them to just drop all and go on fire calls. He needs the career full-time staffing increase.

Board member Hoehn suggested that Wilson put in for four positions in 2027 and then have someone tell him no if it can’t be done. If so, perhaps they could do two in 2027 and two in 2028. Board member David Dodd stated when the meeting with Loren Evans happens, he would like to be included, or in on the information. He would like to hear the numbers. Board member Hoehn stated he appreciates that Chief Wilson is on top of this and so proactive.

Chief Wilson reported since the last meeting, they have responded to 49 calls for service including one structure fire, four fire investigations, three gas leaks, one vehicle accident, and one vehicle fire. He was pleased to say “four dogs were rescued and saved from the structure fire.”

City Attorney Beth Higgins stated last week the city and United Fidelity Bank completed the financing on the upcoming purchase of the new fire truck. Chief Wilson and three firemen plan to leave on Monday for a three-day trip to the Pierce Manufacturing Plant in Appleton, Wisconsin where the truck will be built. They will get ideas of possible features on the truck and get a sense of what they want to order with a possible two-year build waiting time.

In his report, Mount Vernon Police Chief Justin Rutledge stated for the period of June 26 to July 8, there were 279 calls for service. Of those, 84 traffic stops were conducted, and nine traffic collisions investigated. There were 17 individuals arrested on 35 different charges, including 13 drug; eight OWI, four theft; three battery; two animal neglect; two traffic/license; one resisting law enforcement; one warrant; and one intimidation. “My department had a very busy July Fourth weekend, in fact, we were slammed. There were five or six arrests in two days,” he told Board members.

Street Commissioner Jim Miller reported since the last meeting, there were 14 extra trash pick-ups generating $810; and limb removal fees generating $120. There were also 11 letters sent to homeowners for their property being in violation for trash. “Paving is going well and the rain did set us back a bit. Storm clean up and limb removal should be done by tomorrow, but as the forecast is calling for more storms tonight, the guys are already on standby,” he announced.

Mayor Loehr asked that Commissioner Miller tell his crew thanks for all of the storm clean up that was completed. Board member Hoehn asked, “If there is another bad storm, will there be free limb pick up again at that time?” Miller replied yes.

Code Enforcement/Officer Colton Givens stated since the last meeting, there were 10 weed cases opened and three closed; no abandoned vehicle cases opened, and one closed. The Mayor quipped, “When I drive through town and notice an abandoned vehicle is now gone, I know he’s been there. Good job!”

Sewage Treatment Plant Superintendent Curtis Prater presented the June Operations report. 8669 feet of line was cleaned by the Vac Con and 1314 feet of sewer line was looked at with the camera. One emergency repair was completed on the gravity system. All trouble lines were cleaned and flushed. RAS was taken to the lift station for odor and fog control and complaints of odor are now down.

No exceedances were reported for June. 82.33 tons of dried sludge were transported to Agspread for disposal at a cost of $1893.59. This was accomplished with the newly-purchased dump truck in two loads, whereas it would have been 4.5 loads with the old dump truck. “We are seeing a return on our recent investment,” he declared. June revenue for 48,750 gallons of hauled waste coming in was $4545.00 .

The Vac Con is currently down with a transmission issue, quoted $14,000.00 for replacement of transmission. Prater has started a consumer complaint ticket with Best Equipment and Allison transmissions as this unit is four years old and less than 10,000 miles. The unit was bought without extended warranty, so it is out of their warranty parameters. Vac Con is currently getting the required repairs and Allison has accepted partial responsibility for transmission repairs. Board member Hoehn asked who around here works on Allisons? Superintendent Prater replied Truck Centers, in Henderson.

He announced the asphalt work will probably start somewhere around July 20th. The Water Street Lift Station is back in operation and he is scheduling K & M Pump to finish impeller replacement. The contractor should be done with the Mill Creek Lift Station tie in this week and will be putting that lift station back in service by Friday.

During the Legal portion of the agenda, several low value or zero value items were declared surplus. A 2003 Chevy Silverado from the Water Utility was on the list. The Mount Vernon Police Department donated a 2019 Dodge Durango valued at $9,000 to the Indiana Juvenile Renewal Network, Inc. The department also gave a 2014 Dodge Ram to the county for $1.00. Zero value equipment included computer items, 16 Patrol Eyes, 5 Bicycles, Miscellaneous Inoperable Unusable, Police Car Partitions, Lightbars, and Equipment, Expired Meth Lab Suppression and Removal Gear, a Nikon Coolpix camera and a Canon Powershot.

Under Old Business, Mayor Loehr stated that with the Fourth of July Fireworks and all of the other holiday activities, there were lots of people downtown. “It was more than I ever recall seeing before. Everything went well. There was a lot of trash built up with overflowing cans, but everyone was very respectful and picked up after themselves and I appreciate it. It was a great show, I would like to thank everyone who was involved,” he declared before completing the meeting.