By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Another Bellmont High School graduate has become a full-time member of the Decatur Fire Department.
Although Derek Schultz has been with the department for approximately a year, the city’s board of works and safety, at the request of Fire Chief Jeff Sheets, has removed his probationary status.
Schultz, Sheet told the board, has displayed “a professional attitude and enthusiasm.”
Schultz, who lives in Decatur with his wife, Julia, earned an associate degree in Paramedic Science at Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne in May of 2019 and also studied at IPFW.
A paramedic with Adams County EMS, Schultz formerly served as an EMT with Lutheran Health Network and also once worked for the Parkview Health system.
SEEK VOLUNTEERS: The department is currently taking applications for paid-in-call positions.
Application packets are available at the fire station, 206 S 7th Street, between the hours of 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application may also be downloaded from the City of Decatur website www.decaturin.org. Applications are located under the Department Tab.
The completed application and required document should be returned to the Decatur Fire Department, 206 S 7th Street, Decatur, IN 46733. If returning by mail, the application must be postmarked by Friday, March 29, 2024.
The department currently has 10 full-time firefighters/engineers, including the chief and deputy chief, and approximately 25 volunteers.
The department also has a fire marshal, Tony Lothridge.