Carmel Fire Department receives multiple grants to support training, emergency response, & community safety initiatives

The Carmel Fire Department (CFD) announces the receipt of several significant grants aimed at enhancing training programs, emergency response capabilities, and community safety initiatives.

These grants, totaling more than $169,000, will fund critical equipment, personnel training, and innovative safety programs benefiting the Carmel community.

Thacker

“These grants are crucial in enabling us to continue our work of protecting the Carmel community,” Fire Chief Joel Thacker said. “From enhancing our training programs to equipping our firefighters with the best tools and providing critical community safety initiatives, this funding ensures that we are always ready to respond to emergencies and address evolving public safety needs. We’re grateful to the organizations for supporting our firefighters and, by extension, the citizens of Carmel.”

The public safety grants awarded to the CFD include:

• Indiana Department of Workforce Development – Next Level Jobs: Employer Training Grant: CFD was awarded a $50,000 grant to support its 2024 recruit class. The funding covered expenses such as textbooks, testing fees, and personnel costs to help train the next generation of firefighters. This grant is part of Indiana’s effort to help employers fill in-demand positions, including firefighting, by supporting workforce development.
• Indiana Department of Homeland Security – 2024 Paramedic School: CFD has been awarded a $41,500 grant to cover expenses related to the upcoming 2024 paramedic class, including tuition and training costs for future paramedics. This funding will ensure that CFD remains equipped to handle the growing demand for advanced medical services. The grant will be distributed upon the program’s completion in December 2024/January 2025.
• Indiana Department of Homeland Security – EMS Commission: Mobile Integrated Health Program: To proactively reduce fall incidents and improve safety for Carmel’s aging population and residents with mobility issues, CFD has received a $32,875 grant to develop the Steady Steps: Journey to Fall-Free Living program. The initiative aims to lessen the burden on emergency services by addressing community health needs through the Fall Prevention initiative. The grant is to be fully utilized by December 2024.
• Central Indiana Community Foundation – Hamilton County Community Foundation: Behavioral Health: CFD received $7,500 to fund the full-day International Association of Fire Fighters Resiliency Training workshop, “Learn to Survive and Thrive in the Fire Service.” The workshop was held on Sept. 25 and addressed pressing mental health challenges within the fire service, including post-traumatic stress, substance abuse and burnout, and focusing on building individual and organizational resilience.
• Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation: CFD was awarded $37,211 to purchase a rescue boat that will enhance the department’s water rescue operations. With the expansion of Conner Prairie and increased activity along the White River, this new equipment will significantly improve emergency response efforts. The rescue boat is currently on order and expected to arrive in October 2024.

These grants represent the continued efforts of the Carmel Fire Department to lead the way in emergency preparedness, advanced medical care, and community health initiatives.

For more information about the CFD or these grants, please contact Jennifer Lee, jlee@carmel.in.gov.