MERRILLVILLE | With issues such as fire equipment nearing 40 years old and operational costs increasing, the Ross Township Fire Service is searching for ways to boost its funds.

The fire agency has a fire engine and a water tanker at its Ainsworth/Deep River station, 9264 Old Lincoln Highway, that were made in the 1970s. The station also has an engine and tanker made in the 1980s.

Fire Chief Perry Herzog would like to upgrade the equipment, but generating enough money to do that may not be easy.

The fire service is pondering possible charges that would create funding for equipment, but fire officials haven't released what the charges would involve.

The town recently approved an ordinance regarding false fire alarms that could produce some money for the department, but the ordinance's main goal is to deter false fire alarms.

The ordinance calls for a $200 fine for a second false fire alarm at a location in a two-year period. Charges for subsequent false fire alarms in a two-year period will increase in $200 increments.

Funds received from the fines will be deposited in the firefighting equipment fund.

Herzog said the department also is dealing with escalating operational costs.

He asked the town to help by increasing the fire service's budget by $25,000, but the town is suffering its own financial difficulties.

Town Councilman Richard Hardaway, who is chairman of the budget and finance committee, said the town at this time isn't able to offer more money to the fire service because of the town's current economic situation.

He said the town continues to look for ways to boost the fire service's funding.