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Council grants lateral status to new firefighter, approves deputy‑chief vehicle and joins portable‑radio grant
Summary
Chesterton approved lateral status for firefighter Sean Hendren, authorized purchase of a 2026 Chevy Traverse for Deputy Chief Gilbert, and agreed to join an AFG portable radio grant application led by Burns Harbor with no immediate cost to the town.
The Town Council approved several fire‑department requests: granting lateral status to newly hired firefighter Sean Hendren, authorizing a vehicle purchase for Deputy Chief Gilbert, and agreeing to participate in a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) application for portable radios.
A fire representative said Sean Hendren began duty that day and requested that council grant lateral status and the associated benefits based on his more than 13 years of service with the Gary Fire Department. After a motion, the council voted to approve the lateral hire.
On vehicles, the presenter described locating a 2026 Chevrolet Traverse to replace an older town vehicle used by Deputy Chief Gilbert; the presenter requested approximately $35,000 for purchase and noted roughly $12,000 in upfitting costs. Council voted to approve the purchase; staff said the existing vehicle will transition to pool use.
The presenter also described rejoining an AFG application cycle to seek funding for portable radios. Burns Harbor’s chief (Chief Noaki) is preparing the grant application and had invited Chesterton and possibly Porter to partner; the presenter said there is no current monetary cost to Chesterton beyond staff time, and that any future cost would be brought to council for approval. Council approved joining the application.
What’s next: the new firefighter will be formally sworn in at a future meeting, staff will finalize vehicle procurement and upfitting, and Fire will coordinate with Burns Harbor on the AFG application.
