Jul. 13—BATESVILLE — The Batesville City Council approved a total of $18,523 in Belterra Funds to the Batesville Fire and Rescue at this week’s regularly scheduled meeting. The funding is allocated for a specialized piece of equipment to teach forceful entry training, two Ruth Lee mannequins and an inflatable firehouse to teach local children fire safety.
Newly appointed Batesville Fire Chief Brian Hardebeck, replacing newly retired former Chief Todd Schutte, attended the meeting to explain the benefits of the funding request alongside beat shift Lieutenant Lucas Garvey.
“It [the inflatable house] has safety tips around it,” Chief Hardebeck said. “We go to the schools every year… As they [students] go through the house, it has different settings. By the chimney, you’ll have to sweep the chimney every year, the smoke detectors on the ceiling need batteries changed every year and same with cooking tips in the kitchen and so on and so forth.”
Chief Hardebeck explained that the department has a training budget, but that funding is earmarked for online training or continuing education needed to maintain certifications. These projects are a one-time investment meant to be used for years.
The fire department requested $8,995 for the inflatable house and an additional $9,528 for the training mannequins and forceful entry door. The department already secured $5,000 from the Franklin County Community Foundation Grant and an additional $1,000 from various donations.
“We identified a couple of gaps in our training program that we’re really looking to fill,” Lt. Garvey said. “The department currently has no, and has never had, a forceful training door… This prop is built by firefighters and for firefighters… Hands-on training is extremely important.”
The Alpha Door from Citizens First Fire Training can swing inward or outward, right-hand or left-hand openings and can be converted from residential over to commercial.
The Ruth Lee mannequins from CPR Savers and First Aid Supply are the final part of the training program’s request. One adult and one toddler mannequin were presented at a cost of $2,108.
The request was unanimously approved by council.
Contact Josie Clark at [email protected] or 812-651-0873.
