In 2023, Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security secured state funding totaling $17.7 million for fire training and equipment.
Out of these funds, $10 million in new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been issued to volunteer fire departments across the state.
These funds represent the first-ever funding allocated by the General Assembly for firefighter training and equipment. The departments received full sets of PPE (turnout gear and SCBA setup) based on their needs and the age of their current equipment.
Among area departments included in the PPE issue:
- Silver Lake Volunteer Fire Department
- Etna Township Fire and Rescue Services, Etna Green
- Kewanna/Union Township Fire Department
- Winamac Volunteer Fire Department
- Fulton-Liberty Township Volunteer Fire
- Denver Volunteer Fire Department Denver, IN
- Twelve Mile Community Volunteer Fire Dept. Twelve Mile, IN
Through Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda, $17.7 million was allocated to firefighters through PPE and new training facilities for volunteer stations across Indiana. This investment marks the first time the Indiana General Assembly has dedicated funds specifically to firefighters. The only other funding source for firefighters is the tax revenue from the sale of fireworks in Indiana.
The funds are administered by the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy, led by the Indiana State Fire Marshal and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The vendor, MES Inc., will work directly with individual firefighters to measure and fit the equipment before delivery.
IDHS accepted submissions for several months in 2023 to determine the highest need departments. The application process is now closed.
