Last Updated on September 24, 2022 by Cass County Emergency Management Agency
LOGANSPORT, IN – The Cass County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has received a $5,000.00 award from the NIPSCO Gives Back Fund Public Safety Grant to support public safety training in Cass County. This funding, provided thru the NiSource Charitable Foundation is part of an effort by NIPSCO to strengthen the communities where they do business.
Rocky Buffum, Director for Cass County EMA, is excited about the doors opened for county responders because of this support.
“In 2022 we spent a lot of time on foundation work for the emergency response system. This included HAZMAT Awareness and Operations Training, more certified emergency services instructors, and Incident Command System Training including the Incident Safety Officer program from the National Fire Academy. The support from NIPSCO helps open the gateway to the next level of course offerings, such as Technician level HAZMAT Training or Tactical Casualty Care courses which bring fire, EMS and law enforcement together and further enhance the county public safety team.”
Buffum further explained these advanced offerings are in addition to, and do not replace the agencies basic level training programs.
Buffum further indicated this is just one of the many ways NIPSCO helps support area responders.
“NIPSCO has been very proactive since I started about reaching out to public safety about projects which could impact their response, preparedness drills hosted at their facility in Royal Center, and day to day response for struck gas lines and other issues. Multiple departments have also taken advantage of outreach training they offer direct to first responders to prepare for natural gas emergencies.”
“NiSource/NIPSCO has a relentless focus on keeping our customers and communities safe. We appreciate our emergency management and first responders partnerships who collaborate with us to keep the communities we serve safe. In the fifth year, our public safety grant cycle enables our communities to apply for funding for first responder training and public safety education programs.” stated Karen McLean, NIPSCO public affairs & economic development manager.
EMA looks forward to arranging instructors and materials for course offerings in the months ahead.
SOURCE: News release from Cass County Emergency Management Agency