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Board authorizes use of 2807 Casopolis Street for live fire training, honors firefighters for recent response
Summary
Elkhart City’s Board of Public Safety approved an agreement to use a building at 2807 Casopolis Street for fire department training and presented unit citation awards to Engine 4, Medic 21 and individual firefighters for a coordinated life‑saving response.
The Elkhart City Board of Public Safety on April 28 approved an agreement allowing the fire department to use the property at 2807 Casopolis Street as a live training site and presented unit citations to personnel involved in a recent critical incident.
Jason Gore, chief of operations for the Elkhart Fire Department, stepped in for Chief Dale to describe the incident that prompted the awards. He said engine 4 and medic 21 personnel “immediately initiated patient care and stabilized efforts prior to the arrival of transporting EMS personnel,” and credited the crew’s decisive actions and teamwork with producing a “positive outcome without significant long‑term impairment.” The board recognized several individuals by name, including Captain Grant Roberts Jr., driver‑operator Victor Valdez, firefighter Steven Verginet and firefighter Aaron Heisey, and awarded a unit citation to Engine 4 and Medic 21 for their collective performance.
Gore explained the training rationale for using buildings slated for demolition: live structures provide realistic training and yield cost savings compared with simulated props. Legal staff confirmed the item is an agreement between the city and the property owner (recorded in the transcript as 2807 Kesopolis LLC), and liability forms were routed through the city legal department. The board moved to approve use of 2807 Casopolis Street for training and the motion passed on roll call.
Board members thanked first responders and community members for their coordination during the incident. The board did not discuss changes to training policy beyond approving the site agreement; implementation steps include executing the agreement and completing required liability documentation.
