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Cedar Lake promotes Captain Conrad to battalion chief; fire department adopts safety-policy updates
Summary
The board approved the promotion of Captain Conrad to battalion chief and adopted two dozen fire department policy updates aligned with recent OSHA and NFPA changes, including revisions to vehicle-inspection and respiratory-protection policies.
The Cedar Lake board on Thursday approved the promotion of Captain Conrad to battalion chief and adopted multiple fire department policy updates intended to align local procedures with recent state and national standards.
Board members moved and seconded the promotion; a roll-call vote recorded Miss Little, Mr. Velovos, Mr. Caper and Mr. Stick voting yes to confirm the appointment. Family members joined the ceremony and pinned Conrad as the department paused for photographs.
The promotion recognizes Conrad’s more-than-25-year career and recent responsibilities overseeing EMS operations and shift supervision, the board said. Battalion Chief Conrad responded to the applause with brief thanks.
Separately, the board reviewed roughly two dozen policy updates recommended by Lexipol and tied to changes in OSHA and NFPA guidance and Indiana law. The presented updates included, among others, policies on vehicle and apparatus inspections (Policy 702), respiratory protection (Policy 611), controlled-substance accountability (Policy 504), patient care reporting (Policy 500) and child-abuse reporting (Policy 321). The presenter said Lexipol’s team of attorneys had reviewed the recommended language and that the changes provide clarifications and limited flexibility while reflecting the updated standards.
Board members asked for further detail on Policy 702, which adds definitions and references to NFPA standards and notes newer vehicle security/recording systems. The presenter said the recommendation was acceptable and gave the board discretion in local implementation.
Motion to adopt the recommended policy changes was made, seconded and approved by roll call with the same affirmative votes. No amendments were recorded.
The board noted the combined actions — leadership succession and updated operational policies — are intended to strengthen on‑shift command, EMS oversight and procedural compliance with current federal and industry standards. The board did not set an implementation schedule beyond normal administrative follow-up; staff said details such as exact effective dates or training timelines would be handled by department leadership.
