Duke Energy supports fellow first responder agencies with grants for emergency preparedness
- Emergency management agencies in Clark, Crawford, Decatur, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Rush, Scott, Switzerland and Washington counties among those statewide receiving support
INDIANAPOLIS – First responders statewide, including a local sheriff’s office and fire and emergency management agencies (EMAs) in southeast Indiana, will benefit from grants from the Duke Energy Foundation. 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 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 southeast Indiana, Duke Energy Foundation shareholder-funded grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- City of Rushville Fire Department (Rush County)
$5,000 in support of the purchase of a new Fire Prevention Safety Education House
- City of Seymour (Jackson County)
$4,000 to purchase foam response equipment for firefighters
- Clark County EMA
$3,140 to increase access to emergency and severe weather alerts for residents lacking smart cellphones or weather radios
- Decatur County Sheriff’s Department
$2,700 for communication accessories that will help provide a safe and secure environment for the county’s residents and visitors
- Crawford County EMA
$3,500 for weather radios that will be distributed to citizens throughout the county, as well as new TV monitors in the emergency operations center
- Fayette County EMA
$4,500 to buy an enclosed pull-behind trailer, as well as additional gear and equipment needed for law enforcement, the search and rescue team, and incident management team personnel
- Floyd County EMA
$3,076 for weather alert radios for the deaf community
- Franklin County EMA
$2,500 for items such as "go kits" (emergency vests, flashlights, boots, incident management supplies, printed maps), tablets for volunteers and staff to conduct damage assessments, a fuel canister and a portable battery for laptops
- Harrison County EMA
$3,140 to purchase supplies for classroom crisis kits to immediately treat injuries from any traumatic bleeding event in Harrison County schools
- Jackson County EMA
$2,500 in support of the build-out of the EMA’s response group, including new and updated equipment
- Jefferson County EMA
$3,100 to purchase disaster response and recovery equipment, including battery- powered chain saws and scene lighting
- Marion Township Volunteer Fire Department (Decatur County)
$5,000 to purchase an off-road emergency response vehicle that will be outfitted to respond to multiple emergency call types to include search and rescue, EMS, and wildland fire
- Scott County EMA
$3,140 for scene lighting and hand lights to use to help search crews while looking for people or items
- Switzerland County EMA
$7,500 to buy water rescue and search recovery equipment
- Washington County EMA
$3,140 to help fund “Reverse 911,” which will allow the agency to better notify residents of pending dangers and provide lifesaving instructions
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Duke Energy Indiana
Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 900,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.