(La Porte County, IN) - Residents of Wills Township are weighing their options for fire protection services.

 

Wills Township includes about 800 households reaching from just north of New Prairie High School down to about a mile north of Mill Creek, and from the east side of Rolling Prairie to the county line.

 

On the table is a new partnership with the New Carlisle Fire Territory, instead of continuing service with the Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department in Rolling Prairie.

 

At a New Carlisle Fire Territory Board meeting last month, stakeholders discussed the possibility of taking on Wills Township. According to published minutes, Wills Trustee Kristi Chadderdon approached New Carlisle about the idea and has contracted with Baker Tilley to review the financial implications.

 

Wills Township may seek coverage from New Carlisle for next year if they cannot reach an agreement with Kankakee Township on their expiring contract. Kankakee is requesting a 50% service fee increase, from $40,000 to $60,000. According to Chief Chip Winters, the rate has not increased in over 20 years, despite inflation and rising costs.

 

New Carlisle is willing to match that amount, at least for one year. A legal process and new financial terms would have to be worked through for the township to join the fire territory. New Carlisle Fire Chief Josh Schweizer said his department, which employs 15 full-time firefighters and three volunteers, can provide the same, if not better, response time. Wills Township currently draws about 150 calls for emergency service per year. A La Porte County EMS base was just recently added to the area.

 

A public meeting will take place Monday, October 9th at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the situation. It will be held at the Wills Township Community Center, which is at the corner of 350 North and 700 East.