Operation Broken Transmission Exercise, Madison County Emergency Management

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Braun has proclaimed Aug. 2-8 as Emergency Management Agency Appreciation Week, recognizing the essential work of emergency managers who support Indiana communities year‑round.

That dedication was on full display during the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s (IDHS) Operation Broken Transmission, a full‑scale exercise conducted at three sites across central Indiana. The exercise challenged local emergency management agencies to maintain operations and adapt during a complete communications failure. Emergency managers from multiple districts showcased exceptional skill, collaboration and problem‑solving throughout the event.

"Emergency managers are the foundation of life-saving emergency response", said Mary Moran, IDHS' Director of the Office of Emergency Management. "Disasters follow no schedule, and emergency managers must stay ready and diligent. They put in long hours, make tough calls and step away from their families to keep Hoosiers safe."

Emergency management agencies provide critical support, tools and resources that help communities prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate hazards.

Throughout the week, IDHS will recognize emergency managers on social media. Follow along to read their stories.

A series of educational videos featuring a local emergency manager and the IDHS executive director is also available on YouTube.

IDHS encourages all Hoosiers to learn about the emergency management agency (EMA) in their county and consider how they can thank their EMAs or volunteer to be of assistance.

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

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mike Braun announced the establishment of the Office of Cybersecurity within the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS).

"We are not going to sit around hoping a cyberattack doesn't happen," said Gov. Braun. "My administration is working proactively with entities in which a cyberattack could have serious consequences to the daily lives of Hoosiers, especially critical infrastructure owners and operators. We want to be partners with them in this fight to make sure our communities stay safe and fully operational."

Following the sunset of the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity, the Office of Cybersecurity represents a new phase of Indiana's effort to be cyber resilient. The Office will bring a whole-of-government coordination framework to ensure Indiana has a unified playbook to address the threat of cyberattacks.

This approach will strengthen coordination and collaboration between state agencies and external stakeholders so Indiana is well-positioned to prevent and recover from cybersecurity attacks.

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

INDIANAPOLIS - Today, Gov. Mike Braun announced that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin conducting joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) following the June 6 through June 30, 2026, flooding, tornadic activity, severe storms and derecho.

The joint PDA is a critical step in gathering information needed to determine whether a federal disaster declaration should be requested. They will be conducted by local, state and federal officials (FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration) to evaluate the impact and magnitude of the disaster.

"Hoosiers experienced historic severe weather in June, with record-setting tornadic activity that damaged thousands of homes," said Gov. Braun. "Local and state damage assessment teams have already assessed significant damage to our communities, and that's why I have requested FEMA to take this next step in the process so we can collect more information to better support Hoosier families and help our communities rebuild. I want to thank all of our first responders, emergency responders and volunteers who continue to assist in our state's recovery."

The assessment includes visiting affected areas, documenting damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure, and gathering information that will be analyzed to determine whether federal assistance may be needed.

Individual Assistance assessments will be conducted in person by officials going door-to-door to individual homes in the following counties:

Public Assistance assessments will be conducted by officials virtually and in person with impacted state, territory, tribe, local government or private nonprofit organization in the following counties:

Additional counties may be added as damage information continues to be collected.

Next steps:

Joint PDAs will begin July 16 in the counties listed above.

Damage assessment teams may be seen in impacted neighborhoods, documenting and photographing damage. Residents may be asked for details about their property damage by government officials. They will not enter your home.

Public Assistance damage assessments will be coordinated directly with impacted state, territory, tribe, local government or private nonprofit organizations.

FEMA assistance is not currently available for June 2026 severe weather.

The figure below shows FEMA's disaster declaration process. Indiana is currently on Step 3. Please note that this process does not guarantee a disaster request will be made or approved.

Individuals needing financial assistance should submit an application for the State Disaster Relief Fund through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

What you need to know:

• Government personnel will always have an official identification badge. They will never ask for money and never require payment in any form.
• If you are not home when teams come door-to-door, that's okay. Damage assessment teams are gathering sample information and do not need to visit every home.
• Do not wait for potential FEMA assistance - file claims with insurance, take photos and keep receipts.
• Additional resources can be found here.

More frequently asked questions can be found here.

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

INDIANAPOLIS - Residents are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report damage from the June 9-21 storm events.

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.

Only residents from the following counties should submit damage reports at this time:

June 9 events:

• Harrison County

June 11 events:

• Carroll County
• Elkhart County
• Huntington County
• Lake County
• Porter County

June 16-18 events:

• Clay County*
• Jackson County
• Jefferson County
• Monroe County
• Owen County
• Putnam County
• Scott County*

June 21 events:

• Daviess County*
• Gibson County*
• Knox County*
• Sullivan County*
• Warrick County*

*New Indiana 211 activations since June 19, 2026 update

Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager. All agriculture damages should be reported to the local USDA Farm Service Agency. To locate the appropriate contact, individuals can use the USDA locator tool.

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

Photo courtesy of WISH-TV, Colin Baillie

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun has declared a state of disaster emergency for 63 Indiana counties impacted by severe weather from June 6 through June 18, 2026.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has opened applications to the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for residents who incurred damage to their homes or property as a result of the flooding, severe weather, tornadic activity and a derecho this month in the following counties:

The SDRF is intended to help with immediate needs. Funds are available for eligible applicants up to $25,000.

Teams from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security are currently completing damage assessments in multiple counties throughout the state. Additional homeowners or jurisdictions may qualify later for financial assistance based on damage assessment data.

The SDRF is not currently accepting applications for the Public Assistance program. Local jurisdictions impacted by eligible disaster events will be notified if Public Assistance becomes available. Learn more about the SDRF.

If eligible, apply here for funds from the State Disaster Relief Fund (Individual Assistance).

The State Disaster Relief Fund applies only to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. State funding cannot replace insurance coverage, which is the primary and best source of protection from storm damage. The fund only addresses the costs of repairing, replacing or restoring property that is the primary residence of the applicant, and cannot be used to help pay insurance deductibles.

Indiana 211 Activated

Residents are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report damage from the June 9-18 storm events.

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.

Only residents from the following counties should submit damage reports at this time:

June 9 events:

• Harrison County

June 11 events:

• Carroll County
• Elkhart County
• Huntington County
• Lake County
• Porter County

June 16-18 events:

• Jackson County
• Jefferson County
• Monroe County
• Owen County
• Putnam County

Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager. All agriculture damages should be reported to the local USDA Farm Service Agency. To locate the appropriate contact, individuals can use the USDA locator tool.

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

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has opened applications to the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for residents who incurred damage to their homes or property as a result of the March 10, 2026, severe storms and tornadoes in the following counties:

• Jasper
• Newton
• Starke

The SDRF is intended to help with immediate needs. Funds are available for eligible applicants up to $25,000.

"This disaster devastated these communities, any my priority is to help them rebuild their homes and properties that are the foundation of our great state," said Gov. Mike Braun. "Hoosiers are resilient, and when disasters like these occur, we see the very best of who are with communities coming together to support one another."

Currently, more than 100 homes are noted as having damage or are destroyed. Additional homeowners or jurisdictions may qualify later for financial assistance based on damage assessment data.

The SDRF is not currently accepting applications for the Public Assistance program. Local jurisdictions impacted by eligible disaster events will be notified if Public Assistance becomes available. Learn more about the SDRF.

If eligible, apply here for funds from the State Disaster Relief Fund (Individual Assistance).

The State Disaster Relief Fund applies only to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. State funding cannot replace insurance coverage, which is the primary and best source of protection from storm damage. The fund only addresses the costs of repairing, replacing or restoring property that is the primary residence of the applicant, and cannot be used to help pay insurance deductibles.

State's response to severe storms

Gov. Mike Braun declared a disaster in Jasper, Newton and Starke counties on March 12, 2026.

The state's emergency operations center (SEOC) increased from level IV, daily operations, to a level III activation, emergency conditions, on March 10 in response to the severe weather.

The following mission requests were fulfilled thanks to partner agencies at the local and state level:

• Indiana Task Force 1 for search and rescue efforts.
• IDHS provided an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to provide additional support to Newton County on the ground, as well as safety goggles and vests for volunteers.
• Debris management and removal teams from Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Correction and Indiana Department of Transportation.
• With communications towers affected in Newton County, the Integrated Public Safety Commission sent radios for first responders and provided a mobile cell tower, along with Nighthawk routers.
• Indiana 211 activated for Jasper, Newton and Starke counties to collect damage assessments from residents, and IDHS staff were on the ground the day after the tornado, completing damage assessments into the following week.

Visit the IDHS Disaster Declaration webpage to learn more about the recovery process.

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

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana 211 is now accepting damage reports for Jasper, Starke and Newton County residents, in relation to the March 10, 2026 severe storm.

Residents of Jasper, Starke and Newton counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report storm damage from the severe storm that occurred on March 10, 2026. 

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 Jasper, Starke and Newton counties should utilize Indiana 211 for March 10 damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

All agriculture damages need to be reported to the local USDA Farm Service Agency contact. If you don't who your contact is, the USDA has a location tool.

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

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun has proclaimed March 8-14, 2026, Severe Weather Preparedness Week.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and the National Weather Service (NWS) encourage Hoosiers to act now to prepare for severe weather in Indiana.

"This week serves an important reminder to Hoosier families to take steps now to prepare," said Jonathan Whitham, Executive Director of IDHS. "Simple actions, like getting a weather radio, preparing an emergency kit and making a disaster plan can make all the difference when severe weather strikes."

IDHS encourages all families, schools and workplaces to make tornado safety plans. You can practice these plans during the statewide tornado drill at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 10. The drill will be broadcasted as an Emergency Alert System (EAS) on television and radio.

Throughout the week, IDHS will offer various media opportunities and share safety tips on social media.

For more severe weather preparedness tips, visit getprepared.in.gov, or follow @IDHS on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

Media Availability

If interested in participating in any of these media events, please contact 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 - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activated at 12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, to coordinate the state's response to the incoming winter storm.

This activation brings additional subject matter experts from other state agencies and external partners into one location to facilitate an effective, direct and coordinated response to the winter storm impacting the state.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun also activated highway assistance teams from the Indiana National Guard to respond to some areas expecting dangerous road conditions as a result of the storm.

IDHS encourages all Hoosiers to do their part to prepare for the storm. Visit GetPrepared.in.gov for winter storm travel and safety tips.

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

INDIANAPOLIS - Today, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is releasing the full report of the findings of the PFAS Testing Pilot Program.

In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly appropriated $200,000 to the IDHS to establish a voluntary pilot program to determine if firefighters in Indiana have per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood. This program marks Indiana's first step toward proactively assessing and addressing the occupational PFAS exposure risks faced by its first responders -; specifically current and retired firefighters.

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, "PFAS, which are ubiquitous in manufactured products due to their oil- and water-resistant properties, do not break down easily and persist in our bodies and the environment, earning them the moniker of 'forever chemicals.' These suspected carcinogens have found their way into the bodies of most Americans. However, researchers have shown that firefighters are burdened by comparatively high levels of at least one type of PFAS."

The U.S. Fire Administration states firefighters are at a higher risk due to exposure from protective gear, products of combustion and some firefighter foams.

The program tested 316 firefighters from across Indiana (career, volunteer/combination, municipal, airport and industrial departments) and paired blood testing with an exposure survey covering foam use, gear handling, station practices, incident tasks and decontamination behaviors.

The report came back with five findings:

1. PFAS levels may be elevated relative to the U.S. general population.
2. Foam use shows a dose-response pattern.
3. Decontamination of gear and self appear protective.
4. Gear and station contact matter.
5. Task patterns are consistent with incremental exposure.

The following recommendations were made:

• Advance future testing and research.
• Implement foam transition control, on-scene and post-incident decontamination, and establishment of separated clean gear and clean quarters with separate ventilation from contaminated gear.
• Implement a standardized biomonitoring program to monitor PFAS exposure.

"Our first responders risk their lives every day to save Hoosiers in danger," said Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones. "January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, and cancer remains the leading cause of line of duty deaths for firefighters . This study is an important first step towards ensuring we are taking care of the people who keep us safe."

Indiana has already taken steps to address foam exposure by prohibiting use of certain foam for training purposes and IDHS, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, collected over 48,000 gallons of foam from fire departments and responsibly disposed of it.

Though this study was not able to define causal factors of elevated PFAS levels, it did establish a preliminary exposure baseline for Hoosier firefighters.

More information about the PFAS Testing Pilot Program can be found at the IDHS webpage, and both the executive summary and full report can be read below.

Read the executive summary here.

Read the full report here.

This report was prepared by Delineate, LLC., in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

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

INDIANAPOLIS - On Jan. 6 and 7, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) held its first School Safety Summit. The event brought together nearly 1,000 school officials, representing 380 school corporations from across the state.

This year's summit focused on Behavioral Threat Assessments and Management (BTAM). BTAM is a proactive, team-based approach used in Indiana schools to identify and respond to behaviors that could signal harm to a student, a school or the broader community. By law, each school corporation must have a multi-disciplinary threat assessment team, including school administrators, counselors, mental health professionals, special education experts and law enforcement. These teams work together with parents to focus on behavior, support and prevention.

Governor Mike Braun made a commitment to keep students safe as part of his public safety agenda. In July 2025, he established the Office of School Safety under IDHS to carry out this promise.

"Our new Office of School Safety, and this summit, are helping set Indiana apart," said Governor Mike Braun. "The Office of School Safety is focused on giving schools the tools they need to create safe environments for our students. This summit has delivered on that goal by bringing together a wealth of talent, including administrators, board members and school resource officers, to encourage innovation and thinking outside the box."

The first day included a welcome from Julie Q. Smith, IDHS' director of the Indiana Office of School Safety. "Indiana schools now have opportunities like never before to strengthen safety practices, deepen collaboration and elevate the support available to every school community", said Smith. "There is nothing more important than ensuring that our school buildings, filled with our most precious and vulnerable members of society are secure, supported and protected."

On the second day, breakout sessions explored various topics such as special education, warning signs of school violence, legal issues and more. Feature presenters included Dr. Melissa Reeves, Dr. Peter Langman, Dr. Bernard James and representatives from Safer Schools Together.

This initiative was led by IDHS' Office of School Safety, which was established in July 2025 and is responsible for school safety specialist training and certifications. The office supports Hoosier schools' safety efforts in a variety of ways by establishing and maintaining guidelines on school facility security, emergency response protocols and school safety plans. To learn more about the department, visit the IDHS website.

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