Centerville discusses drone, paid part-time staffing for fire/EMS

Centerville town officials cleaned up 2025 business and looked ahead to 2026 in a short Dec. 30 work session.

Fire territory

Centerville Fire/Rescue is analyzing whether part-time paid staffing would better serve the town than relying on an all-volunteer department.

Establishing a fire territory could provide new funding for fire services. That plan would require petitioning Indiana Department of Local Government Finance to increase the maximum property tax levy for the fire protection territory’s operating fund.

Assistant Chief Jimmy Lawrence told council that CFR leaders will gather more information and meet with leaders in communities that have already established a fire territory. Through that analysis, Centerville can see whether that step would benefit the town’s residents.

Lawrence said CFR faces struggles like every other U.S. volunteer department, such as recruiting enough volunteers, and they hope to keep great coverage for the town in future years.

In related matters, council approved its annual contract with Center Township, which will pay the town $72,000 for fire protection services. Center Township trustee Vicki Chasteen said the township has paid that amount since 2024. Between 2018-2023, the township paid $69,000.

Drones

Councilor Josh Tudor noted new federal restrictions hampering the import of drones for first responders. He said first responders can still buy drones that were already in the country before Dec. 23 and use them to provide images and information to emergency teams in real time.

Tudor said that with dwindling supplies of desirable models, making a purchase now would be wise. He said buying the U.S.-made drones that comply with federal policy will come with a 200-300% price increase and cameras and thermal imaging capabilities that aren’t as good as imported models. Tudor said drones’ shelf life is about five years.

Centerville needs to obtain a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration to deploy drones beyond where they can be seen. Ed Martin, town attorney, said his request letter is almost finished.

In other business

• Council reappointed Gary Killen and Ty Farmer to the town’s stormwater board. Another vacancy is expected.
• The fire department finished making payments for two trucks last summer. Competitive bids for financing one vehicle would be arranged through Indiana Bond Bank’s help lease program.
• Council approved a 2026 contract with Martin as town attorney, a salary ordinance amendment and carrying over accrued time off for certain employees.
• Martin said he will bring several documents to the 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, meeting, including a draft of a resolution regarding Centerville Fire/Rescue’s highway service charges, potential vehicle purchases for the police and fire departments, and the sale of a CFR water tank. The public is invited to the meeting at town hall, 220 E. Main St.