With Indiana’s storm season in full gear, first responder agencies receive emergency preparedness grants from Duke Energy Foundation

Last Updated on June 16, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

PLAINFIELD, Ind. – First responders statewide, including a local fire department and emergency management agencies (EMAs) in northern and north-central Indiana, will benefit from grants from Duke Energy Foundation. The funding, which totals more than $285,000 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.

“During the current storm season, our service territory has experienced significant weather events, including an unusually high number of tornadoes,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “I am proud of our recovery work, and we could not accomplish it effectively without the collaboration of a host of first responders in our communities. We appreciate their assistance.”

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.

In northern and north-central Indiana, Duke Energy Foundation shareholder-funded grants were awarded to the following organizations:

▪ Cass County EMA
$8,000 will be dedicated to a hands-on course that prepares emergency responders to extricate victims from machinery, auto accidents, fence impalements and a number of other emergency situations

▪ Fulton County EMA
$8,000 to purchase mobile radios that will be utilized during traffic incidents or natural or man-made events, as well as reflective safety clothing for volunteers

▪ Town of Markle Fire Department (Huntington County/Wells County)
$5,000 to invest in a new wildland skid unit that will be mounted on an existing brush truck, resulting in faster and safer responses to brush and field fires, especially in off-road and rural areas

▪ Whitley County EMA
$5,000 will go toward the county’s purchase of weather radios to ensure vulnerable populations receive lifesaving information, even without modern technology

SOURCE: News release from Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Foundation
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 910,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.