Duke Energy Foundation has provided more than $200,000 in grants to support first responders in Indiana. The funding will help local police, fire, and emergency management agencies enhance their response capabilities during severe weather and other emergencies. The grants will be used for advanced preparation, planning, equipment, and training.
Stan Pinegar, President of Duke Energy Indiana, highlighted the importance of partnerships with local emergency management and law enforcement agencies in responding to severe weather events. He stated, “When severe weather strikes, we rely on strong partnerships with local emergency management and law enforcement agencies to effectively respond and restore power in affected communities. These grants will help give first responders the tools and training they need to respond to any emergency.”
One of the recipients of the grants, Sean Stoops, Chief of the Avon Police Department, expressed gratitude for the support. He mentioned the department’s goal of equipping all patrol vehicles with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). With Duke Energy’s support, they were able to purchase 35 AEDs, which can be used to deliver life-saving measures to a person in cardiac arrest.
The grants were awarded to 34 nonprofit and government agencies across Duke Energy’s Indiana service territory. Some of the recipients include the Bartholomew County EMA, which received $8,000 to purchase new water rescue equipment, and the City of Brazil Fire Department, which received $7,500 to support their “Free Smoke Detector Program.”
Other organizations, such as the Franklin County EMA and the Town of Avon Police Department, received grants to fund new equipment and training. The Franklin County EMA will use the $10,000 grant to acquire an unmanned aerial vehicle with thermal and infrared technology, water rescue equipment, and mass sheltering items. The Town of Avon Police Department received $22,000 to equip patrol vehicles with AEDs.
The Duke Energy Foundation, which provides philanthropic support to communities where Duke Energy customers live and work, contributes over $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars.
Duke Energy Indiana is the largest electric supplier in Indiana, providing about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 890,000 customers. The company’s service area covers 23,000 square miles.
The grants provided by Duke Energy Foundation will enable first responders in Indiana to improve their emergency response capabilities and enhance public safety. These investments in advanced preparation, planning, equipment, and training will help communities better withstand and recover from severe weather events and other emergencies.
For more information about the Duke Energy Foundation and its Powerful Communities program, visit duke-energy.com/Foundation.
Contact: McKenzie Barbknecht
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
