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Highlander Fire gives year-end report; resident raises procurement concerns
Summary
Highlander Fire reported hosting multiple state certification classes, exceeding training hours for 2025, and receiving roughly $200,000 in grants; a resident later questioned the county's vehicle procurement choices, citing local Ford workers and repeated Chevrolet purchases.
Brandon Alexander of Highlander Fire gave a year-end summary at the Dec. 16 meeting, reporting that the department hosted nine state certification classes and sent 12 students to outside state courses, resulting in 185 course completions (165 internal). Alexander said the department is launching the Southern Indiana Fire Academy with students from Floyd, Harrison and Washington Counties and expects to exceed 10,000 training hours in 2025. He also said Highlander Fire received three grants totaling approximately $200,000 that funded new gear and helped expand ambulance coverage to two 24-hour ambulances plus a part-time ambulance; the department added two advanced EMTs with another awaiting testing.
During public comment resident Dale Mann, identifying himself as a retired Ford worker from the area, questioned why county vehicle purchases repeatedly resulted in Chevrolet purchases and said local Ford workers are not seeing bids awarded locally. President Al Knable acknowledged the comment and thanked participants as the board moved to adjourn.
