New Fire Chief Elected To Culver-Union Township Fire Dept.

The first of the new year means a number of changes will be coming to local government, including a new fire chief for the Culver-Union Township Fire Department. Current chief Mike Grover made the announcement at the Dec. 11 meeting of Culver’s town council, explaining that his department recently held its officer election recently and decided veteran fireman Terry Wakefield will admirably fill the position.

Ken VanDePutte will retain his current assistant chief position while Dave Cooper stays secretary, and Jerry Siler will continue to work as training officer with safety officer Tim McCarthy, who is also keeping his seat.

The new captain, Grover announced, will be Pete Peterson, who will replace Glenn Whitmarsh. The department also noted changes in maintenance men, with Jim Grover and Walt Hanselman assuming those responsibilities, and Bryce Lindvall will be in charge of cleaning.

The town council also approved a request from Grover for $883.73 to spent on hose for its current grass truck and $750 for a refurbished deregulator to be used on one of the fire trucks. Grover said this equipment will facilitate one unit on the fire engine and one of the squad truck to ensure the equipment is always available. A new grass truck, Grover noted, should be ordered after the start of the new year.

On top of that, Grover also received permission to purchase a new computer for the fire station, phasing out the six-year-old desktop computer currently in use.