Indiana First Responder Grants: Boosting Emergency Preparedness Across Counties
First responders throughout Indiana, such as local police, fire departments, and emergency management agencies (EMAs), are set to receive over $200,000 in grants courtesy of the Duke Energy Foundation. This financial support aims to bolster the capabilities of public safety organizations in handling severe weather events and other emergencies by facilitating enhanced preparedness, planning, acquisition of equipment, and training initiatives.
Stan Pinegar, President of Duke Energy Indiana, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts with local emergency management and law enforcement agencies during severe weather incidents. He highlighted that these grants are intended to empower first responders with the necessary resources and expertise to effectively address any emergency situation.
In times of major crises and natural calamities, the vital role played by local emergency management agencies becomes evident. These agencies provide crucial information, resources, and assistance that are instrumental for Duke Energy in expediting power restoration efforts for affected communities.
“Successful preparedness, response and recovery requires a community approach,” said Sean Stoops, chief of the Avon Police Department. “We envisioned equipping all of our patrol vehicles with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). With the support of Duke Energy and other community partners, we were able to bring that goal to fruition, purchasing 35 AEDs that our officers can use to deliver life-saving measures to a person in cardiac arrest.”
Grants have been allocated to the following organizations:
Stan Pinegar, President of Duke Energy Indiana, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts with local emergency management and law enforcement agencies during severe weather incidents. He highlighted that these grants are intended to empower first responders with the necessary resources and expertise to effectively address any emergency situation.
In times of major crises and natural calamities, the vital role played by local emergency management agencies becomes evident. These agencies provide crucial information, resources, and assistance that are instrumental for Duke Energy in expediting power restoration efforts for affected communities.
“Successful preparedness, response and recovery requires a community approach,” said Sean Stoops, chief of the Avon Police Department. “We envisioned equipping all of our patrol vehicles with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). With the support of Duke Energy and other community partners, we were able to bring that goal to fruition, purchasing 35 AEDs that our officers can use to deliver life-saving measures to a person in cardiac arrest.”
Grants have been allocated to the following organizations:
- Bartholomew County EMA: $8,000 to procure new water rescue equipment, including a new motor for an airboat.
- Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office: $5,000 to bolster public safety measures and preparations ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
- Brown County EMA: $5,500 to assist in equipping a Brown County EMA emergency operations center with computers, monitors, software, and other electrical components.
- Cass County EMA: $4,000 to sponsor a hazardous materials technician certification course.
- City of Brazil Fire Department: $7,500 to support the department’s "Free Smoke Detector Program."
- City of Clinton Fire Department: $7,000 to enhance the department’s water rescue unit with the acquisition of a sonar unit, anchors, throw bags, and medical items.
- City of Delphi Police Department: $6,500 to facilitate the purchase of a vehicle capable of accessing trails and other confined areas during emergencies.
- City of Greencastle Fire Department: $7,500 to reinforce emergency preparedness and training efforts.
- Clark County EMA: $2,750 to acquire a rescue boat for utilization during water rescue emergencies.
- Crawford County EMA: $2,750 to distribute weather radios to local residents.
- Fayette County EMA: $10,000 to procure portable, two-way radios and firefighter breathing apparatus.
- Floyd County EMA: $2,750 to distribute weather radios to local residents.
- Fountain County EMA: $2,205 to acquire safety cones for use in blocking restricted areas.
- Franklin County EMA: $10,000 to fund new equipment and training, including an unmanned aerial vehicle with thermal and infrared technology, water rescue equipment, and mass sheltering items such as cots and personal care kits.
- Fulton County EMA: $5,000 to conduct a hazardous materials tabletop exercise.
- Gibson County EMA: $11,000 to provide education and training for first responders.
- Hamilton County EMA: $10,000 to enhance community outreach and preparedness education.
- Harrison County EMA: $2,750 to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle for deployment in planning and response operations.
- Huntington County EMA: $5,000 to purchase various supplies and equipment, including uniforms.
- Jefferson County EMA: $2,799 to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle.
- Jennings County EMA: $5,000 to equip the department’s disaster response vehicle with a thermal imaging camera and provide weather alert radios to local residents.
- Knox County EMA: $11,000 to acquire cots and amenities for displaced residents during emergencies.
- Lawrence County EMA: $5,500 to purchase a generator capable of providing back-up power to a Lawrence County EMA facility during emergencies.
- Monroe County EMA: $5,500 to distribute weather radios to local residents.
- Montgomery County Emergency Response Team: $6,785 to support the purchase of a small, enclosed trailer equipped with thermal blankets, cooling towels, an electric kettle, instant hot packs, an electric heater, and other supplies that facilitate firefighter rehabilitation.
- Orange County EMA: $5,500 to distribute weather radios to local residents.
- Scott County EMA: $2,750 to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle.
- Switzerland County EMA: $9,000 to acquire firefighter equipment.
- Tippecanoe County Surveyor’s Office: $6,510 to purchase rescue helmets.
- Town of Avon Police Department: $22,000 to equip patrol vehicles with AEDs.
- Town of Cambridge City Fire Department: $3,500 to acquire new firefighter boots.
- Town of Converse Volunteer Fire Company: $10,000 to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
- Town of Dunreith Fire Department: $4,000 to acquire new firefighter boots.
- Washington County EMA: $2,750 to distribute weather radios to local residents.
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