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Garrett fire territory to take mutual-aid agreement to Board of Works; considers modular training "cans"
Summary
Officials said the territory will seek written mutual-aid authorization to program outside radio frequencies, approved taking the agreement to the Board of Works, and reviewed a plan for containerized live-fire training "cans" funded from existing training and capital budgets.
Garrett fire-territory officials agreed to take a written mutual-aid and radio-programming agreement to the Board of Works and heard a presentation on a proposed modular live-fire training facility.
An agency official told the meeting that Garrett has long provided mutual aid across the county but has not always had written agreements with neighboring departments. The official said Allen County frequency managers want a written agreement before allowing Garrett’s radios to be programmed with outside frequencies, calling the paperwork “really just a formality of putting that in writing.” The reprogramming would require a one-time vendor cost and the territory said it would absorb payroll and liability expenses when crews respond away from Garrett.
A member made a motion, it was seconded, and the body approved sending the mutual-aid proposal to the Board of Works by voice vote. The presenters said formal Board of Works action will be sought to authorize programming Garrett radios with partner frequencies.
Tim Fes, identified at the meeting as the department’s training captain, outlined a plan to build a modular training site from shipping-container "cans". Fes said the cans allow realistic search-and-rescue and live-burn drills while limiting local environmental impacts by burning only class-A (clean wood) materials. "We're not burning tires, we're not burning sofas, we're just burning clean products in there," Fes said, describing how windows and doors can be cut into containers to simulate different rescue scenarios.
Presenters cited Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) research showing modern synthetic furnishings burn faster and more violently than older materials, increasing the value of realistic live-fire training. They said Garrett would initially pursue one or two cans paid from the department’s existing training and capital outlay lines and, over time, could apply for grants to expand the facility.
Officials discussed operational constraints. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards require a certified live-fire instructor on site; Garrett does not currently have a dedicated instructor and would need to certify staff or rely on Auburn instructors, which can limit scheduling. Speakers also noted ISO credit and site-size requirements: a full "ISO" training credit needs roughly 2.5 acres and a drill tower or approved substitute, which could rule out the small station parcel and point toward a larger site that might require demolition of a recycling center.
Next steps include identifying a suitable site, developing more detailed cost estimates if a site is available, and returning to the Board of Works and city council with a formal proposal. Presenters said the territory will aim to keep the township and Board of Works informed as budgeting proceeds.
