The Michigan City Common Council on July 1 approved a resolution supporting submission of a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant to replace the fire department’s aging fire-safety simulator trailer.

Chief Taylor told the council that the department’s existing trailer is roughly 30 years old, has limited teaching capability, lacks ADA access and is unreliable (the generator and smoke effects have required repeated repairs). He described the replacement as a 27-foot trailer with ADA ramp access, a kitchen and bedroom prop, heated doors and simulated stove hazards, and said the new unit would allow broader community teaching and reduce staffing needs when the public-information officer deploys the unit.

The FEMA grant requires a 5% local match. Sponsor Councilwoman Lee said the city’s match would be no more than $10,377.98 and that money for grant matches was budgeted in the 2026 budget. The council approved the resolution by roll-call vote (9–0). Councilman Przybylinski urged support, calling the expenditure “well worth the money to educate people and save lives.”

Chief Taylor said the department will determine the disposition of the older trailer; it currently sits at Station 3 and is largely unusable. The resolution authorizes staff to move forward with the grant application and local match; the grant application was reported as nearly complete and due imminently.