The Porter County Search and Rescue Team has received a donated vehicle from the Union Township Volunteer Fire Department. The former Deputy Fire Chief’s vehicle is a 2004 Chevy Tahoe 4×4 which will be used by the Search and Rescue Team to pull their 17 foot command post and rehabilitation trailer.
“We acquired a new truck for our Deputy Chief, and felt it would be good to pay it forward and donate the Tahoe to the Search and Rescue Team”, Union Fire Chief Mark Werno said. The Union Volunteer Fire Department operates two fire stations on the west side of Porter County. The Search and Rescue Team responds to Union Township several times a year for missing person calls.
Search and Rescue Team Director Micah Bell says, “Our all-volunteer team doesn’t receive any funding from the state, county or local government. Donations like this from our supporting agencies in Porter County are what sustain the Team and allow us to provide our services to Fire and Police Departments where ever we are called.” The vehicle is expected to be in service within the next two weeks.The Porter County Search and Rescue Team was founded in 2014 to provide a trained team of ground searchers to assist public safety agencies in searching for and rescuing lost, missing and injured persons in Porter County. The Team is made up of 25 members of the various agencies that make up the Porter County Fire Association. The Team averages 12 call-outs per year. Fore more information on the team check out www.facebook.com/PorterCountySAR