Volume 4, Issue 7 August 2008 Can You Hear Me Now? State Receives 20 Million to Improve Communications The ability to communicate is a vital part of an effort to help States create their Safeguarding being an emergency responder. Without the interoperable communications. proper communication technology, safety Hoosiers by personnel are not able to respond as quickly Interoperable communication is the ability Planning, to situations where lives may be at for various agencies to receive and use stake. Also important is the ability for information from one another, in turn Preparing and different departments to have open making emergency response easier and communication with one another, allowing more effective. Previously, first responders Responding for proper distribution of personnel used different technologies that and response coordination. In an made it impossible to coordinate effort to improve Indiana’s public efforts during a disaster or safety communications, Governor emergency. Mitch Daniels recently announced Inside this issue: A 2007 Indiana Department of that more than $20 million in Homeland Security (IDHS) survey Vests Required for Emergency 2 Federal grants will be used to Responders will act as the main guide for the enhance communications for Retro-Fit of Website 2 distribution of the funds. The funds will be emergency responders. Security Tightens around Gov’t 2 used to supply more than 5,200 radios to Center The grant was awarded through the Public first responders, $2.9 million for Indiana Code and Statute 5 Corner Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) communication infrastructure, $2.1 million IDHS Completes Database 5 Grant Program, which awarded over $900 for the advancement of integrated data Merge million in September 2007, to fund sharing, finances for the first statewide IFA Donations Help 6 interoperable communications conference District Training communications projects in 56 U.S. States and Territories. PSIC awarded the funds in Indiana State Fair 6 (Continued on page 8) Inspectors Play Part in 6 Stadium Mobile Homes Available For 7 Indiana Disaster Areas From the Director’s Chair Agencies to Create Traffic 8 Incident Management System As we wrap up the month of selflessly to ensure the commercial IDHS to Receive SAG Award 9 July, the recovery efforts protection of life, property, and Greeson, Buckman Speak at 9 after devastating tornadoes and the environment for governmental Fallen Firefighter Memorial and floods in June Indiana. buildings need repair. The Annual Hazards Workshop 10 Held In Colorado continue. I must first costs to rebuild need not Due to severe storms and IDHS Named Fire Prevention 10 commend our state and rest solely on the local Bureau of the Year local team who have flooding, hundreds of communities or the state. FEMA Region V Conference 11 worked so diligently. Our Hoosier homes were Federal aid programs, To Be Held in Nashville department, along with damaged or destroyed, grants and other forms of Indiana Guard Reserve Helps 11 farmland was over- Hospital Heal local, state, and federal funding are available to agencies, have worked saturated with water, and (Continued on page 4) Page 2 Hoosier Responder Vests Required for Emergency Responders

By Josh Frasure caused by distracted or inattentive There have already been some drivers. However, the new vests will proposed changes to the rule. For In accordance with a improve visibility, with the goal of, example, one proposal suggests new federal mandate, decreasing the likelihood of a collision. allowing ANSI 207 vests for emergency the Indiana Department responders, instead of the ANSI 107 of Homeland Security (IDHS) will There are a few exceptions to the rule; that is in use. The ANSI 207 only purchase new High-Visibility Vests for however, due to the response from requires 450 square inches of state emergency responders. The new state and local police organizations background material, not 775 like the mandate, effective November 24, and state departments of ANSI 107. In addition, another 2008, requires that anyone working on transportation, the rule includes proposal suggests requiring use of the the right-of-way of a federal-aid exceptions for law enforcement vest on all public roads and not just highway must wear high-visibility officers. Officers are not required to federal-aid highways, suggesting that clothing. wear the vest if they are in a potentially in order to be truly safe, emergency adversarial or confrontational personnel should wear the vest during The new regulation is intended to situation, such as, traffic stops or every traffic emergency. ensure the safety of emergency searches. On the other hand, officers response personnel working on busy are still required to wear high-visibility Regardless of the changes, IDHS is streets and intersections. While clothing during other highway currently in the process of purchasing responding to a roadway emergency, activity. There are currently no the vests for its emergency response personnel become prone to accidents exceptions for firefighters. team. Retro-Fit of Security Tightens around Website Gov’t Center The IDHS website has been recreated Identification cards issued to state by IN.gov (Indiana IOT staff). This employees have recently become more retro-fit was done so that a new important. In an effort to secure the version of software can be used to Indiana Government Center, all state manage the system and perform employees must use their ID cards to updates. In doing so, it was necessary access the north and south buildings. to change the page identification The Indiana State Police (ISP) is in full structure of each of our web pages. In order to help state employees and cooperation in implementing the new visitors with special needs, the Indiana Each IDHS web page has its own four security procedures, which were a Government Center reminds anyone digit identifier (right before .htm in the recommendation of the Counter- with pacemakers, defibrillators or other address). These new page numbers Terrorism and Security Council chaired medical devices to notify Capitol Police cannot be changed back to the old by Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. so the search can be conducted with a numbers. Please be sure to update handheld detector and not interfere Visitors to either building must use the your bookmarks and notify key with these medical devices. In public entrance and pass through partners. addition, ADA-accessible doors with the security prior to entering. Public assist button can be accessed by first entrances for the north and south presenting an ID card and then buildings are located at 302 W. pressing the assist button. Washington St. and on Robert D. Orr Plaza. State employees must present Although these measures may take a their ID cards in front of the card reader little effort for state employees to get to access either building to any used to, they will help ensure the safety entrance other than the public of employees and visitors to the IGC entrance. ISP will also begin weapons North and South buildings. screening at both buildings. Volume 4, Issue 7 Page 3 EMA Spotlight Martin County Martin County is in District 10, in the a need for improvement to the rescue southwest quarter of the services and Camden was state. Cameron Wolf has been a part instrumental, as director, in getting the time director since 1987 with first Amkus rescue tools for the certificates in Fire Fighter I, II and First county. Continuing the tradition, the Responder. Deputy Director Andrew Emergency Management office Ringwald has also been an active manages a county-wide fire/rescue firefighter and first responder since the department which provides automatic late 1980s. In addition, 25 volunteers mutual aid to the local fire, sheriff and Cameron Wolf, Director assist in the department’s many the ambulance services. Martin County EMA activities. Recently, Director Wolf RR3 Box 28 joined the health board and has found Martin County has also been proud to Shoals, IN 47581 the collaboration productive. accept a 3,000 gallon pumper/tanker (812) 254-6412 (the largest in the county) from the [email protected] He has followed in the steps of his FEMA Fire Act Grant program and will father, Camden Lee Wolf, who was soon take delivery on a Pumper/ Martin County EMA looks forward to director from the mid 1970s through Rescue truck being funded by a state continuing and improving service to the the mid 1980s. At that time there was grant. community. Scott County Shortly after 9/11/01, Greg Brown • Member of the Scott County became a volunteer member of the Courthouse Security committee and Scott County Emergency Management used IDHS grant funds for the Agency (EMA). Prior to joining the Scott upgrade of courthouse security County EMA Brown was a small systems, such as access control, business owner in Scottsburg after closed circuit television (CCTV) and leaving the position of National fire protection systems. Provided Construction Manager overseeing the additional security for the county- design and installation of electronic wide primary safety answering point Greg Brown, Director heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC) (PSAP) or 911 center. Scott County EMA and fire protection and security control 85 East Wardell Street systems across the country. Brown • Through IDHS grants began the Scottsburg, IN 47170 (812) 752-8440 became the deputy director in mid- build-out of the county-wide 800 [email protected] 2003 and assumed the executive MHz interoperation communication director position in January 2004, system. which also includes responsibility for • Ensure county wide NIMS all emergency communication and 911 • Established the Scott County Radio compliance as federally mandated. operations in the county. Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) program with the help of • Worked several PA and IA declared Accomplishments local HAM operators and upgraded disasters within the county, most the armature radio repeater system recently flooding along the • Assisted in the creation of the Scott in the county. Muscatatuck River this spring. County EMS service and sits as a member of the advisory board. Page 4 Hoosier Responder From the Director’s Chair (Continued from page 1) Profit organizations. The PA program When determining the level of aid also encourages protection of these offered by FEMA, factors such as support the damaged facilities from future events health/safety issues, private insurance reconstruction of the by providing assistance for hazard coverage, and the availability of affected counties. mitigation measures during the housing are all taken into account. The recovery process. economic impact and loss of jobs Most of the severe storms occurred in directly resulting from the disaster are central and southern Indiana and It is essential that any eligible entity also influential on the level of support prompted disaster declarations by both that incurred damage or emergency provided. Governor Mitch Daniels and President response costs of $1,000 or more George Bush. Because of the severe submit its request for public assistance With deadlines for the approved weather and flooding, federal prior to August 20, 2008 to be eligible counties approaching, it is imperative assistance is available to more than 40 for any reimbursement. Failure to for all affected Hoosiers to correctly Indiana counties. submit the application within the apply for available assistance. allotted time period will make those Incorrect applications or a lack of The Federal Emergency Management awareness about available aid can Agency (FEMA) provides two of the place a burden on everyone in the primary vehicles for financial community by taxing already depleted assistance to those affected by the resources and funding. severe weather. Funding resources to aid the recovery and restoration The hard work of IDHS with other local, process after a major disaster is state, and federal entities has shown available through FEMA’s Public how strongly we can respond in such a Assistance and Individual Assistance swift and expansive disaster. To date, programs. the PA and IA programs continue to work on providing the people of Indiana The Public Assistance (PA) grant with financial help. Currently, the IA program provides financial assistance program has approved nearly 3,500 to State, Tribal and local governments, applications for Small Business and certain types of private nonprofit expenses ineligible. For more Administration (SBA) loans and IA organizations so that communities can information on Public Assistance,visit totaling more than $49 million. quickly respond to and recover from the IDHS website. major disasters or emergencies We obviously don’t wish for disasters to declared by the President. The federal Unlike Public Assistance, the Individual happen, but we know that when they share of PA is not less than 75% of the Assistance (IA) program provides do, Indiana responders will be eligible cost for emergency measures money and services to Hoosiers in the prepared. As homes and communities and permanent restoration. Indiana disaster area when losses are not are rebuilt, it is necessary to continue has received special consideration for covered by insurance and property has to provide Hoosiers with the needed the expenses incurred in Category B on been damaged or destroyed. IA is economic support via federal grants Emergency Protective measures and designed to help with critical expenses and loans, and is also essential to keep will be reimbursed for 90-percent of that cannot be covered in other ways. providing support, services and these eligible projects. Assistance available through IA encouragement. I am impressed by the includes temporary housing, repair to a dedicated professionals we have Through PA, FEMA provides damaged home, replacement of a working at IDHS and throughout our supplemental disaster grant assistance home and permanent housing partner federal, state and local for debris removal, emergency construction. Other needs assistance agencies. Keep up the great effort. protective measures, and the repair, can be provided and includes medical, replacement, or restoration of disaster- dental, funeral, personal property, damaged, publicly owned facilities and transportation, moving and storage aid. the facilities of certain Private Non- Volume 4, Issue 7 Page 5 Indiana Code and Statute Corner IC 36-8-21.5-9 (3) Requirements for any test, warning sirens in each activation, or failure rate data that county in Indiana; and Department to adopt rules concerning the department may require a severe weather warning sirens county to submit with respect to (B) determine the need for any siren identified by a county in additional sirens in order to Sec. 9. Before January 1, 2010, the a: ensure comprehensive department shall adopt rules under severe weather warning IC 4-22-2 to provide for the following (A) siren coverage report siren coverage for all prepared under this Indiana residents. (1) Minimum technical standards, chapter; or including a minimum range, for As added by P.L. 89-2008, SEC.1. any siren that is to be acquired (B) siren coverage plan and installed in a county under a prepared under this For more information on Severe county's siren coverage plan. chapter. Weather Warning Sirens, click here.

(2) A specification of any permissible (4) Any other rules necessary for the storm, weather condition, or department to: emergency, other than a tornado, for which a severe weather (A) assess the number, warning siren may be activated. location, and condition of existing severe weather

IDHS Completes Database Merge By Josh Frasure which merged several existing State agencies under one roof. Each agency The Indiana Department of Homeland brought its own training certifications Security (IDHS) has merged existing and records databases that often data into a single training certification contained information that overlapped database. IDHS will implement the that of another agency. This In addition, Acadis will act as a Acadis Readiness Suite created by the complicated the emergency response transcript, allowing public safety Bloomington based company process by making it difficult to personnel to access their own records ENVISAGE Technologies. determine who was qualified to handle and keep track of their training specific situations. ENVISAGE is a leading technological progress. corporation in homeland security, Under the Acadis system information IDHS hopes to begin using the creating multiple training management regarding fire, Haz-Mat, emergency database by the end of July; however, systems for Homeland Security, law management, emergency medical, additional information regarding those enforcement agencies, and the Armed search and rescue, and first responder with Federal or outside training may Forces. Some of ENVISAGE’s current training is compiled in one system, not be updated until later in the customers include, the U.S. making training a much smoother year. Furthermore, the system will be Department of Homeland Security, process. continually updated as more parts of the U.S. Department of Justice, emergency responders enter the the Army, and the Navy. In addition, “The Acadis database will act as a one- system and those already in the the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy stop-shop for training and certification database receive more training. If has been using the Acadis system for information,” said Brad Thatcher, Acadis meets expectations, tracking several years. director of the IDHS Division of and updating training information will Training. “If someone shows up at an now be done with ease. The need for one all-encompassing emergency out of uniform and without database emerged several years ago ID, it won’t take us long to make sure upon the creation of the IDHS in 2005, they are who they say they are.” Page 6 Hoosier Responder IFA Donations Help District Training By Michael Benning the process of personally delivering the remaining ones. The Indiana Firefighters Association (IFA) is donating $500 to each of the With such additional support and The Indiana Department of Homeland 10 Indiana District Fire Training training, everyone benefits, as Security (IDHS) will participate again Councils in the state. The funds will go firefighters can then better protect this year in the Indiana State Fair. to support additional training and other Hoosiers, noted Luke. He hopes that IDHS will be maximizing their programs in the districts. this act will “encourage other sponsorship by having “Indiana organizations to help out as well.” Homeland Security Day” on Saturday, Ralph Luke, Secretary and Treasurer of August 16, 2008. the IFA, and John M. Buckman, III, Such giving is not something new to Indiana Fire and EMS Certification the IFA; every year the organization Staff at IDHS and a handful of partners Chief, collaborated on the decision to donates to the Indiana Law will be available at the Fair from 10:00 make the donations. Luke sees this Enforcement and Firefighters Law a.m. - 10:00 p.m. to distribute action as “one way to put back into the Memorial. Also, the IFA supports informational literature and state…and it goes to [help] all fire individual projects for city promotional items. If you are services.” departments, such as bagpipes for the interested in participating in Indiana Indiana Emerald Society, a law Homeland Security Day at the Fair, As of now, four of the ten districts have enforcement cultural organization please contact Rachel Meyer at received checks; the IFA is currently in which performs at fire, military, and (317) 232-8303 or [email protected]. police funerals. Inspectors Play Part in Stadium 15 days 19 hours 22 minutes and the new stadium, saying that by then annually counting. That is how much time is left the stadium should be finished enough to check before the new home of the Colts, to house the public and its first event. the Lucas Oil Stadium, hosts its first official Troy remains the stadiums inspector sprinkler event. Working hard to ensure that the only through the end of the systems, building is up to code and safe for the construction. At that point, Robert boilers, Troy & Miller on Lucas Oil Stadium Field public is IDHS Fire and Building Code Miller will take over the fire and alarms systems, building evacuation Inspector Kevin Troy. Troy stated a maintenance inspections. Miller plan and exit signs. preliminary finish date of August 10 for stated that inspections will occur Employee Spotlight - Christine Clouse Christine Clouse works as an interaction with people. married, and a total of seventeen administrative assistant to the Director grandchildren—with another on the of Fire and Building Code Enforcement. Outside of work, Christine has several way. Her responsibilities range from hobbies: sewing, reading, gardening, ordering supplies and drafting cooking, scrapbooking, and camping. correspondence to solving daily office She also enjoys spending time with her problems and supervising her office friends and family. staff of seven. She has been in this A resident of Southport for over 22 position for more than four years. years, Christine lives with her husband, Christine’s favorite aspect of her job is youngest daughter, and two cats. She the variety of assignments and the has five additional children who are Volume 4, Issue 7 Page 7 Employee Spotlight - Kemp L. Jones, Jr. Kemp L. Jones, Jr. is an Intelligence jurisdiction. Born in Gary, Kemp currently resides Officer for the Indiana Department of on the northwest side of Indianapolis Correction and is currently assigned to In Kemp’s opinion, the most exciting with his wife and four children. the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center part of his job is taking advantage of as a Watch Officer. He has been in this the extensive intelligence-related position for just over a year. training available.

While Kemp primarily assists the IDOC Kemp spent 3 years in the US army in in apprehending fugitives, he also the Infantry Division. He is the only works with the Law Enforcement Certified Corrections Supervisor in Notification System [LENS] to alert Security Threat Groups in his local law enforcement agencies of Department. offenders being released in their

Mobile Homes Available For Indiana Disaster Areas Some Indiana residents put out of their Mobile homes are usually about 14 homes by the recent disaster will get feet wide by 60 feet long and are mobile homes to use as temporary “move-in ready” with everything housing. Governor Mitch Daniels residents need to set up housekeeping. requested the units from the Federal This includes full furnishings along with Emergency Management Agency necessary items such as bedding, (FEMA) earlier this month. towels, dishes, pots and pans, etc. of the 18 months will only be available Officials from FEMA and Indiana’s Occupancy of a FEMA mobile home or to previous homeowners. So far, FEMA Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) park model is strictly voluntary – and has disbursed $49 Million to Indiana estimate that the need may be for 100- temporary. They are intended to meet households including nearly $6 Million 500 units. Families moved into the in rental assistance. units in mid-July. In order to qualify for this direct Although Governor Daniels encouraged housing assistance, households the primary focus for the units to be affected by the disaster must register Bartholomew, Morgan and Vigo with FEMA and have sufficient disaster- counties, residents of other counties related damage to their primary will be considered on an as-needed residence that makes it uninhabitable. basis. Once a need has been emergency needs that end when each expressed, FEMA assesses for such occupant’s permanent home is Register with FEMA by calling the toll- housing by interviewing applicants. The repaired or alternate housing is found. free registration number, 1-800-621- agency has made more than 4,000 FEMA (3362) or on-line at preliminary calls to applicants so far. While the mobile homes are www.fema.gov. Those with speech or constructed for long-term living, the hearing impairments may call TTY 1- Requests for housing are reviewed and maximum occupancy period is 18 800-462-7585. prioritized based on current living months. During that time, the applicant situations and other circumstances. must be working toward a permanent For example, anyone living in a shelter housing plan. Each household is would have first priority. The need to assigned a caseworker to assist them relocate closer to schools, day care or in developing a permanent housing doctors would be examples of other plan. The option for families to factors taken into consideration. purchase the mobile home at the end Page 8 Hoosier Responder Employee Spotlight – John Buckman John M. Buckman, III is the Fire and In his free time, John enjoys EMS Certification Chief at IDHS. photography and writing. He recently Midway through his fourth year, John self-published Lessons Learned from works with the training and certification Fire Rescue Leaders and is currently system for Indiana Fire and EMS finishing another book. personnel. With his wife Leslie, John resides in John’s favorite part of his job is being Evansville. He has been the Fire Chief able to provide the funding, equipment, of the German Township Volunteer Fire support, and supplies needed to help Department for 31 years. local firefighters meet their training goals. Agencies to Create Traffic Incident Management System By Josh Frasure number of emergency personnel killed while responding to a traffic emergency The U.S. Fire Administration, in will dwindle. collaboration with the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Nationally in 2005, more than 100 Administration and the International firefighters lost their lives because of a Fire Service Training Association vehicular collision. In addition, there recently created the Traffic Incident have been recent incidents of Indiana proper training, and proper protective Management System (TIMS) report. firefighters losing their lives because of gear for flaggers. It is hoped that vehicle collisions while responding to a proper training and practice will lead to TIMS provides training and guidance roadside emergency. This report is safer conditions. Reports also include programs for traffic incident intended to prevent such tragedies first hand accounts of roadway management, firefighters and other from occurring. incidents, which have taken the lives of emergency service providers. The emergency personnel, and incidents report will act as a guide to manage The report examined such practices as where effective TIMS programs have traffic incident emergencies. The effective distance for placement of prevented such occurrences. collaborating departments feel that roadway warning signs, correct amount with a better system in place, the and color for vehicle warning lights, Can You Hear Me Now? (Continued from page 1) Responders. With the funds from the making these new grant, the number of radios in use communication which occurred in early July, and the with Hoosier SAFE-T will increase by devices affordable implementation of Communications 20%, and seven new sites for portable and available for Asset System Mapping (CASM). coverage will be added. every community.

Project Hoosier SAFE-T, is an award- These funds will greatly benefit winning communication project, which Indiana’s effort to create one began in the late 1990s. The system interoperable communications now provides 95% mobile radio system. By providing new radios and coverage for Indiana First training to use them, the state is Volume 4, Issue 7 Page 9 IDHS to Receive SAG Award By Josh Frasure more than 100,000 customers. Roger weather, etc. and find patterns in the Koelpin will be accepting the award on information. The Indiana behalf of IDHS at the special awards Department of ceremony in San Diego on August 6th. Indiana established its GIS office on Homeland Security July 1, 2007 to coordinate statewide (IDHS) will receive an award this year GIS is a method of organizing database activities. Specifically, the office was to from the Environmental Systems systems based on geographical facilitate GIS data cooperation from Research Institute (ESRI). ESRI is a locations and relationships. More federal, state, and local governments leading marketer in Geographical specifically, GIS can take and interpret and update existing information. The Information Systems (GIS) and chose multiple information inputs and office gathered the information to IDHS as a recipient of the 2008 integrate them into a single compile one statewide dataset, which Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) geographical interpretation. GIS allows allows officials at various levels of award. The award is presented every users to create a specific integrated government access to the information. year at the annual ESRI’s User mapping system that makes it easy to Conference to a select group from locate people, events, locations, Greeson, Buckman Speak at Fallen Firefighter Memorial By Michael Benning Green of the Cowan Volunteer Fire Department, Dennise Leslie of the Coal On July 17th, Indiana honored its fallen City Volunteer Fire Department, and firefighters at the Indiana Law David Sherfick of the Brown Township makes them heroes as well. Buckman Enforcement & Firefighters Memorial. Fire Department. Indiana Department of Homeland said, “it is more than just placing a Security employees State Fire Marshal Greeson reflected on why individuals name on a piece of granite…it Jim Greeson and Fire and EMS become firefighters: to fulfill a memorializes [the fire fighters’] Certification Chief John Buckman were childhood dream, to serve the sacrifice and the continued one of their among the speakers. community, to follow a family tradition. families.” To close, Buckman read Greeson also discussed the selected lyrics from “My Wish” by An American flag, hoisted high between firefighter’s motto, “Everyone Returns Rascal Flatts. two raised fire truck lifts, floated Home.” After a brief pause, he A carnation ceremony followed, with silently just outside of the memorial. solemnly conceded the reality in such a two red carnations being presented to The temperature ran into the 90s, dangerous occupation; not everyone the surviving family members for each aided by a piercing sun. will return home. of the honored fire fighters. One was With bagpipes sounding “Minstrel Boy”, In closing, Greeson recalled his to be placed on the memorial itself; the the Emerald Society Honor Guard with experience as a fire chief where it was other in the Memorial Chamber, a clear the Fire Fighter Color Guard marched his duty to know when to pull his men vessel containing a white carnation for into the circular memorial site to begin and women out of a situation. No each fallen fire fighter who has gone the service. After an introduction of longer in direct control of such before. Two instrumentals were the speakers and Pledge of Allegiance, scenarios, he now works to make the performed in reverence: “TAPS” by a the invocation by Indiana Volunteer buildings across the state which fire single trumpet player, and “Amazing Firefighters Association (IVFA) Chaplain fighters may need to enter as safe for Grace” by the Emerald Society. Ed Gerdowski introduced the overall them as possible. theme of the service stating, “they are With a closing benediction, the service truly heroes for us to admire.” Next, Buckman took the podium and ended as it began, under the colors of expanded on heroism; the sacrifice of flags and the sound of bagpipes. The honored fallen were Sidney Hall of the fallen firefighter’s family to endure the Upland Fire Department, Bradley Page 10 Hoosier Responder Annual Hazards Workshop Employee Held In Colorado Spotlight - On July 12-15, the Natural Hazards Thatcher attended several events at Beth Sutor Center of the University of Colorado the workshop, including a session on held its 33rd Annual Hazards dealing with deaths in a pandemic Workshop. The Center has been disaster, one on coordinating holding these workshops community-based and since 1975 to help advance volunteer organizations, and and communicate one regarding working with knowledge on hazard the press during a disaster mitigation and disaster event. The workshop preparedness, response, included several other and recovery. events and speakers dealing Beth Sutor is an administrative with disaster response or assistant for Code Services at IDHS. The annual workshop recovery information. She has worked in the position for includes nearly 400 federal, almost 11 years. Beth’s responsibilities state, and local emergency Meant to be engaging, the include clerical support, providing officials, among others, who would workshop devotes over half of its time variances, maintaining the code library, respond in the case of a disaster. Brad to question and answer, as well as, responding to inquiries, and processing Thatcher, Indiana Department of debate session, in which participants the minutes of department meetings. Homeland Security’s Director of can discuss critical issues in the Beth’s favorite part of her job is Training, attended this invitation-only hazards and disaster community. meeting and talking with “so many event. interesting people from around the state.”

IDHS Named Fire Out of the office, Beth enjoys quilting, knitting, crochet, reading, camping, Prevention Bureau travel, and baking. She has been a Girl of the Year Scout leader and currently is Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troupe 265. The Indiana Department of Homeland Beth also finds time to volunteer in the Security won the 12th annual Fire USO at Camp Atterbury. Prevention Bureau of the Year Award. Presented annually at the Fire Beth lives in Greenwood with Jim, her Inspector Association of Indiana (FIAI)/ husband of 36 years. She has three Indiana Association of Building Officers Prevention Bureau of the children and three grandchildren. (IABO) business meeting, the award Year. Winners are chosen by a panel goes to the area voted the best Fire consisting of FIAI/IABO personnel and Prevention Bureau. This year IDHS previous year’s winners. was chosen for the effort put forth in ensuring proper training and “The award was really unexpected, it The EMS/IFCA/IFA Conference will be certification of its personnel. seems that they’re starting to get what it is we’re doing,” said Shelly held September 17- 21, 2008 at the This year marked FIAI’s 20th Wakefield, IDHS Fire & Building Code Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel & anniversary and, in partnership with Services Branch Chief. “It’s just Conference Center. The conference IABO, it hosts an annual business important that everyone gets credit for program includes: classroom lectures, meeting. this not a select few. This is a group general sessions with major speakers, effort.” practical skills sessions, and a large Each year at the meeting, awards are exhibit hall/demonstration area. given to the Fire Inspector and Fire Page 11 Hoosier Responder FEMA Region V Conference To Be Held in Nashville

The Annual FEMA Region V Conference Amy Lindsey and State Exercise Officer for regional is being held in Indiana this year. Each Rick Archer are planning the event. collaboration and year officials from FEMA’s fifth region, as an introduction consisting of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, This year’s meeting will include to what is happening Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, multiple state personnel, as well as, 20 nationally. The meet to discuss a large array of topics to 25 personnel from the other states location of the event is Brown County and formulate bonds with officials from in region five. There is a broad range and will also allow for some fun, other states. This year the meeting will of topics from the Homeland Security shopping and wine tasting. be in Nashville, Indiana, and run from Exercise & Evaluation Program. As in August 5-7. IDHS State Training Officer every conference, this year will allow Indiana Guard Reserve Helps Hospital Heal COLUMBUS, Ind. – It was the worst also an opportunity for mischief,” said and professional experience. “We flooding to hit Indiana in decades. Grigdesby, a Westfield resident. “With have folks who are very young, 18, 20, During the first weekend in June, rising any kind of flooding situation, you have 22 years old. And we have folks who rivers and streams damaged or people who are interested in seeing have actually retired from the military destroyed hundreds of homes and what’s available for looting. So we and are young and able enough to still businesses across the state. One have our presence to discourage that be of value to their state,” said target of the flooding was Columbus kind of thing.” Approximately $20 Grigdesby, himself a veteran. Regional Hospital in Bartholomew million in salvaged equipment was County, which sustained an estimated staged in the hospital’s parking lot. Many others, such as Officer Candidate $130 million in damage. On Saturday, The IGR members protected the items John Hoenstine, have a law June 7, water rushed into the and held a secure perimeter to deter enforcement background. “I retired hospital’s basement and first floor. theft from the Indianapolis Police Within hours, patients were evacuated Department and I’ve taken a lot of and the hospital was closed. Marines The IGR is an all-volunteer force that training from FEMA and homeland and the Indiana National Guard helped may be called upon to supplement the security. I was looking for a place move 157 patients to safety and Indiana National Guard during state where I could put that training to use,” secured the hospital. emergencies. There are nearly 300 said Hoenstine. IGR members based at 66 armories However, less than a week later, on across the state. Ninety-six IGR That experience helped IGR Soldiers June 13, the National Guard was soldiers answered the call to assist in protect the hospital and the people needed downstream for new duties. At Columbus. Each soldier worked an working inside. IGR members patrolled that moment, the Indiana Guard average of 51 hours and drove an multiple locations, working 12-hour Reserve, or IGR, rushed in to take over average of 161 miles round trip. shifts, or longer. security. While an army of contractors They were not alone in this mission. started cleaning the hospital, IGR IGR members do not expect to get paid IGR leaders said additional support citizen soldiers started patrolling or reimbursed for mileage or time off came from other organizations, outside, to make sure the building and from work. However, they train for including the American Red Cross, its workers were safe and secure. disasters like this in order to help their neighbors. police agencies, hospital employees Maj. Hal Grigdesby explained the IGR’s and the people of Bartholomew mission. “Obviously there is a lot of Grigdesby said that members of the County. valuable equipment inside and there’s IGR have varied backgrounds in age (Continued on page 12) Indiana Guard Reserve Helps Hospital Heal

(Continued from page 11) told the IGR how thankful the hospital lot of compliments from the hospital was. “Your ability to be here from staff because they’re doing a hell of a The mission had its hazards. Nine June 13th through the 21st allowed good job.” feet of water filled the basement. In us time to get organized for our own about 45-minutes water washed recovery. We had disaster plans, but Staff Sgt. Paul Sabol, West Lafayette, away the hospital pharmacy, the extent of this disaster was far summarized how most IGR members pathology, laboratory, information greater than anything we had feel. “This is an important mission to technology, and radiology imagined,” Myers said. me, but I wish I wasn’t here because departments, food services and of everything these folks have gone more. Although there was no loss of through.” life, the IGR chain of command Maj. Gen. Barry Green added that he presumed that the hazards were both and his Soldiers were sorry to see environmental and biological. IGR what happened in Columbus. But he members made sure no one entered said that’s why the IGR exists. “One the dangerous areas unless they of the mottos for the Indiana Guard were supposed to be there. Reserve is Hoosiers helping Hoosiers. The IGR provided security at IGR members appreciated the And that’s what this is all about.” Columbus Regional Hospital for more compliments. “They just thanked me For more information about the than a week, when hospital security for making sure any onlookers did not Indiana Guard Reserve, visit the Web assumed control. The reviews from come by,” said Pvt. Lori Ahmed, a site at http://www.mdisdf.org. the hospital were positive. Martha Camby resident. Col. Bernard Hayes, Myers, Manager of Risk & Security, Indianapolis, added, “We’ve gotten a Article Submitted

New IDHS Employees Emergency Response Fire & Building Safety Randal Collins, EOC Operations Chief Don Watson, District Manager Scott Young, Code Review Official Executive William Putt, Radio Operator Training Janice Lee, Special Programs Gregory Hadnott, Secretary (Elevators) Brian Mayo, Fire Program Director Beverly Hurt, Secretary (Elevators) Fusion Center Robert McCutchan, Elevators and Support & Services Vicky Browning, Secretary Amusements Supervisor Shannon Fisher

Indiana Department of Homeland Security lick to view the 302 West Washington Street C IDHS calendar Indiana Government Center South Room E208 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Click to view IDHS (317) 232-3980 or (800) 669-7362 traini ng opportunities

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