INDIANAPOLIS - Investigators with the Office of the Indiana State Fire Marshal announced Wednesday the cause of the tragic fire in January 2024 that claimed the lives of six South Bend children cannot be determined at this time.

The "Undetermined" ruling is a standard determination in fire investigations when a definitive cause cannot be established based on available evidence. In the case of the Jan. 21 fire at 222 LaPorte Ave. in South Bend, a clear cause of the blaze could not be determined, despite nearly a year of intense investigation and analysis by the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, South Bend Fire Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

"In an investigation of this magnitude, it is normal and expected for the community to want clear answers as to what started this fire," State Fire Marshal Steve Jones said. "Unfortunately, those are not always available due to the nature of the incident, the extensive fire damage to the scene and the lack of scientific evidence once the fire was extinguished."

The fire is one of the largest fatal fires ever to occur in South Bend and the surrounding community. From the family and friends to leadership and first responders, the LaPorte Avenue fire will be felt deeply for years to come.

The fire claimed the lives of Faith Smith, 2; Deangelo Smith, 4; Deontay Smith, 5; Davida Smith, 9; Demetrius Smith, 10; and Angel Smith, 11.

"Communities such as ours are strengthened by how they overcome adversity and come together to support one another after tragic events," South Bend Fire Chief Carl Buchanon said. "Working together through public education and fire prevention will help these events from occurring more often, and that remains the top priority of the dedicated men and women of the South Bend Fire Department."

At a press conference held today (Dec. 11), Jones detailed some findings from the investigation, as he stressed the evidence shows no indication of criminal activity or arson.

Among the findings of the investigation:

• The fire originated in the first-floor family/dining room. At the time, all occupants were upstairs.
• The fire went unnoticed for several minutes and gained intensity on the first floor.
• Surveillance video shows the fire starting at 6:08 p.m. The first 911 call was received at 6:14 p.m. Rescue crews arrived at 6:17 p.m.
• Electrical items were identified as one possible ignition source, but this could not be proven definitively as starting the fire.
• Smoke detectors were found in the home, but the surviving father, arriving responders, 911 dispatchers and other witnesses did not report hearing smoke alarms.
• No evidence of criminal activity was found.

The ruling on the cause of the fire can be amended should new evidence become available, Jones said.

Investigation reports are not public record and will be released through proper legal channels when appropriate. Additional requests may be submitted through the APRA portal on the IDHS website or directly at https://in.accessgov.com/dhs-apra.

Fire personnel encouraged the public to ensure smoke alarms are installed at every level of the home and tested regularly. In addition, families should discuss what to do if a fire occurs and practice an escape plan. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates residents could have less than two minutes to escape a home once the fire starts or a smoke alarm sounds.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Indiana National Guard on Monday delivered water to several communities along the western edge of Indiana following a fire that damaged an area water plant. Water distributions for area residents will begin Tuesday morning.

The fire disrupted the water filtration plant in Jasonville, which impacts residents in Jasonville in Greene County, Coalmont in Clay County and Hymera in Sullivan County. Utility providers estimate the outage could continue for several days to a week. No cause of the fire has been determined.

The City of Jasonville began handing out bottled water Monday morning, and IDHS delivered a truckload of bottled drinking water later Monday. The National Guard was preparing to deliver a water filtration system to the area to produce drinking water. Both potable and drinking water will be available in the three locations:

• 145 S. Lawton St., Jasonville (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• 6440 W. Public Road, Coalmont (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• 406 N. Vine St., Hymera (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Additional water is being coordinated for delivery by nearby grocery stores, businesses, the American Red Cross and Convoy of Hope. About 5,500 residents live in the three locations.

Water deliveries to the communities will continue until water service is restored. Until then, please visit the distribution locations noted above. Residents with additional needs should contact Indiana 211.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security encourages all those who wish to donate to the relief efforts for recent hurricanes to do so through coordinating agencies and do not self-deploy to the area.

Responding to a disaster is a complex, coordinated effort. With such widespread destruction in an event like Hurricane Helene, many roads are impassable or unsafe to travel. Active search and rescue efforts continue, and arriving vehicles with supplies could cause more harm than good at this early stage. Please avoid trying to deliver personnel or supplies without coordination through an active organization in the area.

“The first impulse for people is to want to help when they see the devastation on TV or have friends and family in the area. That is totally understandable,” said Mary Moran, director of Emergency Management with IDHS. “Volunteer needs will continue for many weeks, months and even years, and there will be plenty of opportunities to help. But, it must be coordinated so as not to cause an increased burden on first responders.”

Cash donations are the most effective and will be put to use immediately. Visit the FEMA Volunteer and Donate page for a list of reputable organizations to direct donations.

Volunteers also are needed, but it must be coordinated through an organization currently working the disaster. These agencies are trained and experienced to receive, sort and deliver the goods many states across the country have collected on the behalf of storm survivors.

Helene hit North Carolina the hardest, and below are some reputable organizations to donate cash or arrange for volunteers or supplies to help:

• North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
• NC Disaster Volunteer Opportunities
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)
• Donate to North Carolina VOAD
• NC 211 Effort

Hoosiers always stand ready to step up and help when Americans, near or far, need it the most. Your help is needed through cash donations or a nationally coordinated volunteer response for personnel and supplies.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Residents of Jay and Kosciusko counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from Sept. 20, 2024, and Sept. 22, 2024.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.

Currently, only residents in Jay and Kosciusko counties should utilize Indiana 211 to report damage incurred on Sept. 20 (Kosciusko) and Sept. 22 (Jay). Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Secured School Safety Board (the Board) today approved the distribution of more than $24 million to support school safety initiatives in all 92 counties.

The Board voted unanimously to split more than $24 million across 499 schools/districts, which represent a record-number of schools impacted through the Secured School Safety Grant Program in a single year. To date, $187 million in state funding has been dedicated to the matching grant program since it was created in 2013.

"Since this program began, the focus has been on listening to the needs of school districts while partnering with them to invest in the safety of Hoosier schools," said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. "Indiana continues to be a leader in school safety resources made available. With the help of the General Assembly, Indiana continues to step up to support students and staff."

The amount of funding dedicated to the program for 2025-2026 will be determined in the next legislative session. However, the program has funded school safety initiatives at record levels for the four previous years. Last year, 474 schools split an allocation of $29.8 million, which included deobligated funds from previous grant cycle years that was added to the $25 million allocated to the program by the Indiana General Assembly.

This year, the total amount of eligible funding requests exceeded the amount of funding for the program. Priority was given to first-time applicant schools to the SSSG Program, which were fully funded for their top priority requests. Charter school groups were capped at $100,000 in funding for all schools in the group. Remaining schools that apply to the fund regularly were funded at 81% for their top priority items. Applicants to the program rank the priority of items to help the Board better understand the greatest need for school districts.

As in previous years, most school applicants prioritized the addition of school resource officers, which accounted for nearly $17 million of all requests. The seven requests for firearms training were granted as a priority, as mandated by recent legislation.

"We’re proud to see hundreds of schools apply to take advantage of this important program to improve school safety," said Rusty Goodpaster, director of the SSSG Program. "Although the Board had to make some difficult funding decisions based on eligible funding, this year still represents a significant impact for schools across the state and prioritizes the protection of staff and students."

The Secured School Fund is administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. A complete breakdown of recipient schools and the total amount of their awards can be found on Sept. 1 on the data page of the IDHS website (under the Grants header in "Selected Annual Data"). For security reasons, the use of those funds by individual schools is not publicly available.

The SSSG issues matching grants for eligible items and then schools match those funds at a certain level, either 25 percent, 50 percent or 100 percent. The match requirement is based on average daily membership of the school district, the total amount of the project or what the request covers.

Eligible items in the grant include funding for school resource officers (SROs) and law enforcement officers in schools; equipment and technology; active event warning systems (no matching requirement); firearms training for teachers and staff that choose to allow guns on school property; threat assessments and to implement a student and parent support services program.

The Indiana School Safety Hub also provides schools with a wealth of resources, training opportunities and other information designed to give schools the tools they need to keep students and staff safe.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Businesses and residents in Warrick County and contiguous counties may qualify for low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration following damage incurred from storms that rolled through Indiana on July 30, 2024.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, the SBA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) will operate a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Warrick County to assist residents in filing claims and answering questions regarding potential assistance to recover from damages. The center is for those impacted by the July 30 storms only.

Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Aug. 26 - Sept. 11
Ohio Township Trustee
3433 Libbert Road
Newburgh, IN 47630
Aug. 26 Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT
Aug. 27 - Sept. 11 Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT

The DLOC will be closed Sept. 2 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

These services are available for residents in the following Indiana counties (additional to Warrick County): Dubois, Gibson, Pike, Spencer and Vanderburgh; and the Kentucky counties of Daviess and Henderson. 

SBA Customer Service representatives will be on hand at the DLOC to answer questions about the loan program and help with applications. Additionally, staff from IDHS will help answer questions about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund, which can be used to cover losses not eligible for SBA loans.

Residents and businesses in the impacted counties will have until Oct. 21, 2024, to return applications for physical property damage. Those seeking Economic Injury Loans will have until May 20, 2025, to apply. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations located in the designated counties that have suffered substantial economic injury from the storm may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Visit www.SBA.gov for more information about the SBA disaster loan program.

Media Note

On-site interviews will not be offered. If interested in a virtual interview, reach out to the IDHS Public Affairs Team at pio@dhs.in.gov.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

Partner Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today that Joel Thacker will be stepping down as the executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). The City of Carmel announced today his new role as fire chief.

Gov. Holcomb named IDHS Chief of Staff Jonathan Whitham as the acting executive director effective Aug. 31.

"Joel has been a consistently effective leader when the Hoosiers needed it most during some of the state’s largest natural disasters," Gov. Holcomb said. "He's never been afraid to roll up his sleeves and help wherever, whenever he’s needed, understanding an emergency's need for urgent response. Joel was critical when my administration set out to provide better tools, training and resources to firefighters across the state as I know he'll be there for those in need in his next chapter in life."

Thacker was appointed as executive director of IDHS in June 2022 after serving as the state fire marshal and director of the Fire and Building Safety Division since 2020. Prior to his role as state fire marshal, Thacker served as fire chief with the Plainfield Fire Territory.

Under his leadership, IDHS accomplished the following:

• Expanded the Hub and Spoke Program by building out hands-on fire training centers around the state to ensure that firefighters travel no more than 45-minutes to a training facility.
• Provided $10 million for Volunteer Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment to ensure safety.
• Streamlined the State Disaster Relief Fund for easier access for public and individual assistance after a state declared disaster.
• Increased the maximum amount qualifying individuals can receive from $10,000 to $25,000.
• Provided nearly $15 million over the biennium for emergency medical services readiness training programs, equipment and 911 interoperability study.

"It has been a great honor to serve the citizens of Indiana for the last 4 plus years," Thacker said. "With the support of Governor Holcomb and the General Assembly we have been able to help communities and individuals recover from the impacts of natural disasters as well as provide new training opportunities and equipment to first responders statewide."

Thacker's last day as the executive director of IDHS is Aug. 30, 2024.

Whitham will maintain his current role as chief of staff while assuming the duties of acting executive director of IDHS. Before his role as chief of staff, Whitham served as general counsel for IDHS since 2014. He also worked as a part time firefighter and EMT at the White River Township Fire Department.

"Jonathan has been walking alongside Joel every step of the way and will provide a seamless transition for staff, partners and stakeholders," Gov. Holcomb said.

Whitham earned a bachelor of arts degree from Indiana University and a law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.

"I’m honored to be asked to step in during such a crucial time in public safety," Whitham said. "Indiana has experienced a record number of disasters and we've seen the benefits of being prepared under Joel Thacker’s successful leadership. I will continue to focus the agency on preparedness, so Hoosiers remain secure in the state I'm blessed to call home. It is my passion to protect and I'm ready to get to work!"

Click here for a headshot of Joel Thacker and here for Jonathan Whitham.

Media Contact:
Erin Murphy
Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb
emurphy2@gov.in.gov
317-618-7635

INDIANAPOLIS - Businesses and residents in Elkhart, Porter and contiguous counties may qualify for low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration following damage incurred from storms that rolled through Indiana on July 15, 2024.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, the SBA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) will operate Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) at separate locations in Elkhart and Porter counties to assist residents in filing claims and answering questions regarding potential assistance to recover from damages. These centers are for those impacted by the July 15 storms only.

Elkhart County:

Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Aug. 12-27
Elkhart County Health Department
608 Oakland Ave.
Elkhart, IN 46516
Aug. 12 Hours: 11 a.m. 6 p.m.
Aug. 13-27 Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET

Porter County:

Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Aug. 12-27
Porter County Library
103 Jefferson St.
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Aug. 12 Hours: 11 a.m. 6 p.m.
Aug. 13-27 Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT

These services are available for residents in the following Indiana counties (additional to Elkhart and Porter): Jasper, Kosciusko, LaGrange, La Porte, Lake, Marshall, Noble, St. Joseph and Starke; and the Michigan counties of Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph. 

SBA Customer Service representatives will be on hand at the DLOC to answer questions about the loan program and help with applications. Additionally, staff from IDHS will help answer questions about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund, which can be used to cover losses not eligible for SBA loans.

Residents and businesses in the impacted counties will have until Oct. 7, 2024, to return applications for physical property damage. Those seeking Economic Injury Loans will have until May 7, 2025, to apply. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations located in the designated counties that have suffered substantial economic injury from the storm may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Visit www.sba.gov for more information about the SBA disaster loan program.

Media Note

On-site interviews will not be offered at either location. If interested in a virtual interview, reach out to the IDHS Public Affairs Team at pio@dhs.in.gov.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Businesses and residents in Gibson, Posey and contiguous counties may qualify for low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration following damage incurred from storms that rolled through Indiana on July 9, 2024.

Beginning today, July 26, 2024, the SBA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) will open Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) at separate locations in Gibson and Posey counties to assist residents in filing claims and answering questions regarding potential assistance to recover from damages. These centers are for those impacted by the July 9 storms only.

Gibson County

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

July 26 – Aug. 10
Owensville Fire Department
200 S. 1st St. 
Owensville, IN 47655
Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Posey County

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

July 26 – Aug. 10
Posey County Emergency Management Agency
311 Mill St.
Mt. Vernon, IN 47620
Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

These services are available for residents in the following Indiana counties (additional to Gibson and Posey): Knox, Pike, Vanderburgh and Warrick; the Illinois counties of Gallatin, Wabash and White; and the Kentucky counties of Henderson and Union.

SBA Customer Service representatives will be on hand at the DLOC to answer questions about the loan program and help with applications. Additionally, staff from IDHS will help answer questions about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund, which can be used to cover losses not eligible for SBA loans.

Residents and businesses in the impacted counties will have until Sept. 23, 2024, to return applications for physical property damage. Those seeking Economic Injury Loans will have until April 23, 2025, to apply. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations located in the designated counties that have suffered substantial economic injury from the storm may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Visit www.sba.gov for more information about the SBA disaster loan program.

Media Note

On-site interviews will not be offered at either location. If interested in a virtual interview, reach out to the IDHS Public Affairs Team at pio@dhs.in.gov.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Businesses and residents in Monroe, Vigo and contiguous counties may qualify for low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration following damage incurred from storms that rolled through Indiana on June 25, 2024.

Beginning today, July 22, 2024, the SBA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) will open Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) at separate locations in Monroe and Vigo counties to assist residents in filing claims and answering questions regarding potential assistance to recover from damages. These centers are for those impacted by the June 25 storms only.

Monroe County

Disaster Loan Outreach Center
July 22 – Aug. 5
Frank Southern Ice Arena
2100 S. Henderson St.
Bloomington, IN 47401
Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Vigo County

Disaster Loan Outreach Center
July 22 – Aug. 5
Ivy Tech Campus
8000 Education Drive
Terre Haute, IN 47802
Hours: M-Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Note: Both locations will not open until noon on July 22, 2024.

These services are available for residents in the following Indiana counties (additional to Monroe and Vigo): Brown, Clay, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion; and in the Illinois counties of Edgar and Clark.

SBA Customer Service representatives will be on hand at the DLOC to answer questions about the loan program and help with applications. Additionally, staff from IDHS will help answer questions about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund, which can be used to cover losses not eligible for SBA loans.

Residents and businesses in the impacted counties will have until Sept. 16, 2024, to return applications for physical property damage. Those seeking Economic Injury Loans will have until April 17, 2025, to apply. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations located in the designated counties that have suffered substantial economic injury from the storm may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Visit www.sba.gov for more information about the SBA disaster loan program.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Businesses and residents in Monroe, Vigo and contiguous counties may qualify for low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration following damage incurred from storms that rolled through Indiana on June 25, 2024.

Beginning at noon Monday, July 22, 2024, the SBA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) will open Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) at separate locations in Monroe and Vigo counties to assist residents in filing claims and answering questions regarding potential assistance to recover from damages. These centers are for those impacted by the June 25 storms only.

Monroe County

Disaster Loan Outreach Center
July 22 – Aug. 5
Frank Southern Ice Arena
2100 S. Henderson St.
Bloomington, IN 47401
Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Vigo County

Disaster Loan Outreach Center
July 22 – Aug. 5
Ivy Tech Campus
8000 Education Drive
Terre Haute, IN 47802
Hour: M-Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Note: Both locations will not open until noon on July 22, 2024.

These services are available for residents in the following Indiana counties (additional to Monroe and Vigo): Brown, Clay, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion; and in the Illinois counties of Edgar and Clark.

SBA Customer Service representatives will be on hand at the DLOC to answer questions about the loan program and help with applications. Additionally, staff from IDHS will help answer questions about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund, which can be used to cover losses not eligible for SBA loans.

Residents and businesses in the impacted counties will have until Sept. 16, 2024, to return applications for physical property damage. Those seeking Economic Injury Loans will have until April 17, 2025, to apply. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations located in the designated counties that have suffered substantial economic injury from the storm may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Visit www.sba.gov for more information about the SBA disaster loan program.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Residents of LaPorte, Porter and Elkhart counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from July 15, 2024.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit theIndiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.

Currently, only residents in LaPorte, Porter and Elkhart counties should utilize Indiana 211 for July 15, 2024, damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Residents of Porter and Elkhart counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from July 15, 2024.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.

Currently, only residents in Porter and Elkhart counties should utilize Indiana 211 for July 15, 2024, damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Residents of Elkhart County are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from July 15, 2024.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.

Currently, only residents in Elkhart County should utilize Indiana 211 for July 15, 2024, damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Residents of Gibson and Posey counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from July 9, 2024.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.

Currently, only residents in Gibson and Posey counties should utilize Indiana 211 for July 9, 2024, damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

Residents of Posey County are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from July 9, 2024.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.

Currently, only residents in Posey County should utilize Indiana 211 for July 9, 2024, damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

Partner Press Release

WABASH - Governor Eric J. Holcomb today joined the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to announce the continued expansion of state-sponsored firefighter training locations designed to eliminate "training deserts" across Indiana.

During a dedication ceremony of a newly built training site in Wabash, Gov. Holcomb also announced the next five locations set to receive training towers equipped with live-burn capabilities. Those next sites include Washington Township (Daviess County), Chrisney (Spencer County), Hartford City (Blackford County), Rushville (Rush County) and Paoli (Orange County).

"Every Hoosier community relies on and deserves a strong public safety presence," Gov. Holcomb said. "For years, gaps have challenged and stretched Indiana’s fire service across the state. Now, with this new program, we have the opportunity to properly support all those firefighters who sacrifice so much for each and every one of us every day."

Wabash is one of four Phase I locations announced in 2023 as the result of $17.7 million in state funding approved by the Indiana General Assembly. The other Phase I locations included Corydon, Linton and Rensselaer, all of which will be fully operational this summer. $10 million of those funds were earmarked for new personal protection equipment for volunteer firefighters, leaving $7.7 million for training site construction.

In total, the Hub-and-Spoke training initiative has funded nine training locations, all managed by the central location at the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy in Plainfield.

"What we’re doing has never been done in the state of Indiana," said Indiana Fire Marshal Steve Jones. "The majority of Indiana fire departments are made up of volunteers who are unable to travel far to receive the proper training. This plan tells them we care about the quality of training available to them, and we’re committed to making it more accessible."

In addition to training, many volunteer departments have been receiving personal protective equipment in recent weeks, sometimes replacing gear that was handed down from another department and could be more than a decade old. The $10 million investment will fund 940 complete PPE sets for 66 departments across Indiana.

Following the construction of the nine designated training locations, Jones and the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy will evaluate any remaining funding for opportunities to expand existing training sites and leverage those resources for even more training access.

More information about the Hub-and-Spoke initiative can be found on the IDHS website.

Media Contact:
Erin Murphy
Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb
emurphy2@gov.in.gov
317-618-7635

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Small Business Administration will co-host disaster outreach centers beginning Wednesday for residents of Franklin County who were impacted by recent storms.

A Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) is a specific location where residents who suffered damage from storms can ask questions related to their recovery and receive one-on-one assistance connecting with relevant resources.

The center will open at noon on Wednesday at the Brookville Library, 919 Main Street, Brookville, Indiana. Regular hours at the DLOC will be Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and then Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The center will remain open as needed but closed on Sundays.

Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb previously issued a disaster declaration for Franklin County, and that declaration was conferred by U.S. SBA. For those impacted residents who may not qualify for SBA assistance, IDHS staff will be on hand to discuss potential assistance from the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund and to connect them with additional assistance and resources from Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Anyone deemed ineligible for assistance from the U.S. SBA should meet with IDHS staff on site or reach out at sdrf@dhs.in.gov.

For more information on services offered by SBA, please visit SBA.gov. Information about the State Disaster Relief Fund can be found on the IDHS website.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Eric J. Holcomb proclaimed May 19–25, 2024, as EMS Week, to encourage Hoosiers to celebrate and honor emergency medical service personnel throughout Indiana.

This is part of the national EMS Week campaign, now in its 50th year, led by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). The 2024 theme is "Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future."

Indiana has close to 25,000 certified emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

"These trained EMS professionals clock into the job every day knowing they will be put in high-stress situations. They handle the chaos and stress with a professional attitude that ensures the best prehospital care is given to everyone," said State EMS Director Kraig Kinney.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security invites you to learn more about the EMS community in Indiana, whether it is the growing area of mobile integrated health, challenges that face EMS or recognitions of many of Indiana's EMS personnel by visiting emsweek.in.gov or visiting the IDHS social media pages on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

Partner Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security today announced a $10 million state investment in new personal protective equipment (PPE). This new equipment will allow volunteer firefighters across Indiana to better serve their communities.

Most Indiana communities are served by volunteer fire departments, and many operate on shoestring budgets and with dilapidated equipment. Some wear protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that may be more than a decade old.

Through Gov. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda, $17.7 million was allocated to firefighters through PPE and new training facilities for volunteer stations across Indiana. This investment marks the first time the Indiana General Assembly has dedicated funds specifically to firefighters. The only other funding source for firefighters is the tax revenue from the sale of fireworks in Indiana.

"While most people run from dangerous situations, firefighters run toward them to serve their community," said Gov. Holcomb. "This investment is long overdue in our state. Nothing could be more important than for these brave men and women to be both properly suited and trained. It’s how we can best serve them as they serve us."

The $10 million will purchase 940 complete sets of PPE and SCBA, benefiting 66 fire departments across every Indiana fire district. The selection process addressed the poorest volunteer departments first and those with the oldest equipment. The attached map outlines the areas where the equipment will be delivered.

"I travel extensively across the state, and I’m shocked sometimes at the rags that some of these men and women are wearing on fire scenes. They run into burning buildings and are supposed to feel protected," said Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones. "The volunteer fire service is the backbone of Indiana fire protection. This investment is long overdue, and we will be working hard to find additional funding to enhance safety even more in the years to come."

The funds are administered by the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy, led by the Indiana State Fire Marshal and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The vendor, MES Inc., will work directly with individual firefighters to measure and fit the equipment before delivery.

IDHS accepted submissions for several months in 2023 to determine the highest need departments. The application process is now closed.

Media Contact:
Erin Murphy
Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb
emurphy2@gov.in.gov
317-618-7635

INDIANAPOLIS - Telecommunicators Week is April 14-20, 2024.

When experiencing an emergency, the first thing many people do is dial 911. Public safety telecommunicators, or dispatchers, are often the initial first responder the public comes into contact with in their time of need. These telecommunicators always take the next 911 call or text to obtain essential information to give to EMS, firefighters, law enforcement officers and more.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) recognizes the hard work, long hours and grueling subject matter that telecommunicators at Public Service Answering Points deal with on a daily basis. Because of the important work they do, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb proclaimed the third week of April 2024 as Public Safety Telecommunicator Week in Indiana.

IDHS Director Joel Thacker honors and shares support for telecommunicators in the video below.

IDHS encourages public safety agencies and Hoosiers to recognize the important work these professionals do and to share appreciation for them. The Telecommunicators Week webpage features stories from the field.

IDHS will be spotlighting telecommunicators’ stories all week on the IDHS website and on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - In just a matter of days, people across the state will be pausing to take a look at the sky to witness the Total Solar Eclipse.

It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime event. On average, a total solar eclipse occurs on a given spot on the planet only once about every 375 years. Portions of Indiana will not be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse again until 2099.

Indiana is within a one-day drive from 70 percent of the country’s population, making the Hoosier state a target destination. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to travel to Indiana for the eclipse, if they are not here already.

Top reminders to be prepared for the Total Solar Eclipse

Before the Eclipse

• Be prepared for heavy traffic and congestion.
  • Check INDOT TrafficWise/511in.org to plan your route and monitor traffic conditions.
• Fill up your gas tank and put food and drinks in a cooler in case you get stuck in traffic.
• Stay updated on the weather forecast for your chosen viewing location.
• Travel with any medications you may need for 24 hours.
• Pack a first aid kit to treat minor injuries.
• Check with your hospital or provider’s office for any changes to hours/services.
• Acquire an IDHS Amusement & Entertainment Permit if hosting a community event.
  • Gatherings that have live music, or events using temporary structures or vacant facilities for large groups, may require an Amusement & Entertainment Permit.

During the Eclipse

• Never look at the eclipse without the proper eclipse glasses.
• Supervise children using solar filters.
• Dress according to the weather.
• Exit the highway to view or photograph the event.
• Do not stop along the interstate or shoulder.
• Do not take pictures while driving.
• Do not wear solar eclipse glasses while driving.
• Turn on headlights.

After the Eclipse

• Stay at your location for a while until traffic dies down.
• Watch for pedestrians, especially along secondary roads.
• Indiana State Police and local law enforcement agencies will be managing traffic flows.
  • Follow their instructions and be considerate of fellow travelers for a safe departure.
• Monitor yourself for signs of eye damage if you accidently view the eclipse without glasses.

Additional preparedness and safety tips are on eclipse2024.in.gov.

Be sure to enjoy the spectacle and share your photos using #ineclipse24!

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713

INDIANAPOLIS - Residents of Clark, Posey and Warrick counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from April 2, 2024.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.

Currently, only residents in Clark, Posey and Warrick counties should utilize Indiana 211 for April 2, 2024, damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

Media Contact:
IDHS Office of Public Affairs
pio@dhs.in.gov
317-234-6713