INDIANAPOLIS—Grants from the Duke Energy Foundation will benefit First responders statewide, including a local sheriff’s office and emergency management agencies (EMAs) in south-central Indiana. The funding, which totals nearly $215,000 for organizations across the state, will help public safety agencies increase their response capabilities during severe weather and other emergencies through advanced preparation, planning, equipment, and training.
“You don’t have to look any further than the severe midsummer storms that impacted our service territory in 2023 and 2024 to see how Duke Energy and local first responders consistently come together to assist our restoration efforts and help people get back on their feet,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana, during his remarks at the Emergency Management Alliance of Indiana’s annual conference in Indianapolis Oct. 16. “That’s why I’m so grateful that today we’re able to help equip our fellow first responders with the tools and training to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way. In the end, it will help us build a more resilient state.”
During major emergencies and natural disasters, local emergency management agencies play a critical role in providing information, resources, and support that Duke Energy relies on to speed up power restoration for its customers.
“Grants like these are key to helping smaller communities reduce their vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters,” said Reigna Zeigler, president of the Emergency Management Alliance of Indiana. “This funding from the Duke Energy Foundation will go a long way toward ensuring that our citizens are safer, our first responders are prepared, and our communities can recover from disasters quickly.”
In south-central Indiana, Duke Energy Foundation shareholder-funded grants were awarded to the following organizations:
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office
$3,000 to purchase indoor drones to allow officers to better view a scene and ensure their safety
Brown County EMA
$3,500 to purchase technical equipment to support emergency operation center operations, including upgrades to emergency support trailers
Lawrence County EMA
$4,000 for weather radios to distribute throughout the community – to the elderly and those who live in mobile homes, in particular
Monroe County EMA
$4,000 for the county’s Severe Weather Notification Project, which is aimed at providing citizens with a weather radio to help them receive lifesaving alerts
