WINONA LAKE — Winona Lake is joining other volunteer fire departments in speaking out against newly proposed federal regulations.

Mike Cox, public information officer with the Winona Lake Fire Department, urged Winona Lake Town Council and others on Tuesday to contact their lawmakers in Washington D.C., saying the proposals aimed at protecting fire firefighters could be a financial death knell for volunteer departments.

[caption id="attachment_95853" align="alignleft" width="211"] Mike Cox[/caption]

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is looking to adopt 30 or more of the National Fire Protection Association's standards. 

Cox listed many of the proposals. Some of those included numerous assessments, Increased training as well as annual physical exams and skills testing.

Fire departments would also be required to track chemical exposure for all firefighters and full medical exams would be required for individuals after a certain level is reached before they can be cleared to return to duty.

He said the cost of implementing the new policies could be well beyond $14,000 per year,

"We do believe that the ways these are proposed, these regulations will have a reverse effect of decreasing the safety in our communities because volunteer fire departments will go away," Cox said.

One regulation that seemed excessive involved the training of recruits.

"They're going to be required to do up to 300 hours of training before they can even go on fire scene to watch," Cox said. "Not many people are going to give up their career time or family time to get that training."

Cox said they just learned about the specifics recently and that the deadline for the public to file comments arrives on July 22 — just a few days away.

To receive a form letter to oppose the change, Cox is urging people to email him at winonafire.pio@gmail or use this link established by OSHA.

The post WLFD expresses concern over proposed costly federal regulations appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW -- Firefighters were called to a mulch fire east of Warsaw late Sunday afternoon.

The fire was at Superior Landscape Products east of Warsaw along US 30.

Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory was called to the fire around 4:30 p.m.

The mulch pile was located far behind the store to the north. An employee called for help after it began to spread.

Winona Lake Fire Department assisted Warsaw Wayne Fire Territory at the scene.

Mulch can spontaneously catch fire in large piles.

[caption id="attachment_75206" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Another view of Sunday's fire at Superior Landscape Products east of Warsaw along US 30. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The post Firefighters douse mulch fire appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WINONA LAKE -- Two apartments on Camelot Drive in Warsaw were heavily damaged by fire Sunday afternoon in Winona Lake.

The fire was reported shortly after 1 p.m. and apparently began in a utility room next to the unit at 1405 Camelot Drive.

Apartments at 1405 and 1407 were heavily damaged and part of the roof collapsed as a result. A third unit sustained smoke damage, according to a report from the Times-Union.

All occupants escaped and no injuries were apparent.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

[caption id="attachment_74957" align="aligncenter" width="618"] The first flames were shooting out of a utility building on the north side. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_74958" align="aligncenter" width="821"] The fire caused heavy smoke in the neighborhood. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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