Latest news with #IndianaDepartmentofHomelandSecurity
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mobile simulation lab trains EMS for the real world
WARRICK COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) — Deaconess Hospital is using National Medical Services week to show how a simulation lab on wheels helps prepare EMS workers for the real world. Indiana Department of Homeland Security travels with a state-of-the-art mobile simulator as a free resource for EMS crews to get hands-on training. There are mannequins that sweat, breathe and even simulate birth. This technology helps prepare for trauma scenarios in a controlled environment. Officials say the simulation lab plays out practically any scenario, giving EMS crews a better understanding of real-life applications. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sheriffs' Youth Ranch shuts down/property and equipment to be auctioned off
BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Due to state budget cuts, the Indiana Sheriffs' Youth Ranch (ISYR) will be permanently closed at the end of the month, and the property and associated equipment are set to be auctioned off. The Indiana Sheriffs' Youth Camp is an academy for kids who hope to be future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses, and victims of crime. The cuts to the state budget prematurely ended a long-term training and leasing agreement between the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the ranch. The 62-acre private training retreat has been paid for by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security since 2019. The ranch consists of a lodge, two cabins, a classroom building, animal kennels, 2 pole barns, 3 semi-private managed lakes, and wooded areas. These grounds were utilized for search and rescue, K-9, drone, and hazardous materials training. State agencies had also used the property for water diving and rescue exercises, hosting international and out-of-state guests, holiday celebrations, among other events. The lease with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security was originally supposed to continue through 2029. The $48,000 gap in funding, however, was said to be too much for the volunteers of the ranch and donors to raise, given the other construction and operating expenses needed. 'With the help of some visionary sheriffs, generous donors and dedicated volunteers, our Youth Ranch trudged through its bureaucratic start-up years, we survived state-mandated COVID-19 business closures cancelling our special events and face-to-face fundraisers, we demolished unsafe facilities, remodeled existing structures, built two new year-round youth cabins and began construction on two others – despite the nation's supply chain issues and runaway inflation,' said ISYR Executive Director Scott Minier. 'But our most important accomplishment was engaging more than 2,000 K-college Hoosier students each year in our day visits, overnights, weeklong leadership academies and special off-season events like our increasingly popular Sheriffs' Easter Egg Hunts, Sheriffs' Pumpkin Painting Parties and Sheriffs' Breakfasts With Santa – where law enforcement was able to bond with at-risk kids like never before.' An appraisal of the property is currently being conducted, and the property is planned to be auctioned off from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST on May 31, as well as equipment, furniture, and accessories. Some of the accessories included are Polaris ATVs, fishing kayaks, two zero-turn mowers, power tools, commercial kitchen equipment, gas grills, and more. If a reserve bid based on the appraisal isn't met, the property and improvements will be listed on the public real estate market with Greg Clingan Auction & Real Estate of Covington, Indiana. Any proceeds from the sale will be proportionally refunded to major naming-rights donors after other debts are satisfied. The auction will be held at 5325 North State Road 59 in Brazil, Indiana. 'In the end, Indiana still needs more than 14,000 law enforcement officers–city police, sheriffs' deputies, and state troopers–from our state's current K-12 student cohorts,' said Minier. 'We hope state and local leaders can find ways to staff these needs and make our state safer and more caring.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lake County (Ind.) under state of emergency, per governor, following recent rounds of strong storms
LAKE COUNTY, Ind. — Lake County in Northwest Indiana is among 18 counties in the state now under a state of emergency, per Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, after recently being slammed by strong storms. Braun declared the state of emergency for Lake County and 17 other counties in Indiana last week Friday (April 11). The state of emergency is effective for 30 days from the governor's declaration. 'Due to flooding, storm, and tornado damage, I am declaring a state of disaster emergency in Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Delaware, Gibson, Hamilton, Harrison, Lake, Madison, Marshall, Martin, Owen, Perry, Posey, Spencer, and Warrick counties,' Braun posted on his X feed Friday. 'This is effective for 30 days and allows the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to begin providing financial assistance to impacted communities who have eligible expenses under the State Disaster Relief Fund program. 'It is my hope that this step enables residents, businesses, and local government to access needed resources and assistance as they assess and recover from these devastating weather events.' Northwest Indiana was hit hard by two severe weather events within two weeks last month. On Wednesday, March 19, an elementary school and multiple homes were damaged in Gary, displacing dozens of families. Gary is in Lake County. A National Weather Service survey team confirmed much of the damage was the result of an EF-1 tornado, packing winds ranging from 86 to 110 miles per hour. Frankie Woods McCullough Academy, an elementary school, had part of its roof torn off by the strong winds. The school reopened last week. Then, on Sunday, March, 30, another round of strong storms rolled through Northwest Indiana, causing considerable damage and one reported fatality, when 34-year-old truck driver Jagbir Singh of Ontario, Canada, was killed in Valparaiso after strong winds caused his trailer and cab to overturn. Valparaiso is in Porter County, which is not under the governor's state of emergency declaration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
Gov. Braun declares state of disaster for Lake County
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has declared a state of disaster emergency for 18 counties, including Lake County. 'It is my hope that this step enables residents, businesses and local government to access needed resources and assistance as they assess and recover from these devastating weather events,' Braun said in a Friday news release. Braun declared the emergency after flooding, storm and tornado damage. Affected counties include Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Delaware, Gibson, Hamilton, Harrison, Lake, Madison, Marshall, Martin, Owen, Perry, Posey, Spencer and Warrick. The state of disaster emergency is effective for 30 days and allows the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to start providing financial assistance to communities with expenses under the State Disaster Relief Fund program, according to a news release. On March 19, multiple tornadoes touched down in Lake County, including three in Gary and one in Highland. Three EF-0 tornadoes passed through, two in Gary and one in Highland. Gary also had an EF-1 tornado pass through its west side. Local officials said Gary's Emerson community, 21st Avenue and Clark Street and Black Oak areas received significant damage. A 21st Avenue corridor between Whitcomb and Hendricks streets was severely impacted, according to a city news release. Mayor Eddie Melton declared a local disaster emergency in a March 20 executive order. Melton's declaration expired after one week. The Gary Common Council, on April 1, unanimously approved a resolution to continue the executive order, which one city official said was needed to apply for aid. 'For instance, we've been having regular calls … with state agencies to talk about how the city can get reimbursed for our labor costs, our machinery fuel costs, other things that have been associated with public works, the fire department and their ongoing response,' Melton said at the council meeting. The city of Gary did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday about Braun's declaration. The March 19 tornadoes produced strong winds, heavy rains that caused flooding, downed trees, downed power lines and property damage, according to Melton's executive order. High winds peeled the roof off the gym at Gary's McCullough Academy, 2757 W. 21st Ave. Students returned to the school April 8. The school's affected area is safely cordoned off, allowing classes to resume, according to Post-Tribune archives. 'Our primary focus is the safety and recovery of our community,' Melton said in a previous news release. 'We are committed to working tirelessly alongside emergency responders and city officials to restore normalcy and support those impacted by this severe weather event.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Clay County activates 211 as Governor declares 18 counties in state of disaster
CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Indiana 211 system has now been activated in Clay County over the severe weather and its aftermath from previous weeks. Clay County, among others, has activated the 211 system to allow residents to report damages related to the recent storms and the subsequent flooding that followed. Any damage from the weather from March 3 through the present can be reported through the service. Rob Gambill, the Director of Clay County Emergency Management, stated in a news release that they are not sure what damages will be covered that are reported to the service. Reporting, however, is still encouraged so that the state can have an accurate record of damages to determine what public assistance is needed. All this comes as Governor Mike Braun has declared 18 counties in Indiana a state of disaster emergency. 'Due to flooding, storm, and tornado damage, I am declaring a state of disaster emergency in Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Delaware, Gibson, Hamilton, Harrison, Lake, Madison, Marshall, Martin, Owen, Perry, Posey, Spencer, and Warrick counties,' stated Gov. Braun. 'This is effective for 30 days and allows the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to begin providing financial assistance to impacted communities who have eligible expenses under the State Disaster Relief Fund program. It is my hope that this step enables residents, businesses, and local government to access needed resources and assistance as they assess and recover from these devastating weather events.' To report damages to the 211 system, you can visit this link to submit a report online, or you can dial 211 or 866-211-9966 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
