 It has come down to just a few days. Over a year's worth of planning, critical thinking and decision-making has gone into a massive collaborative effort for the Total Solar Eclipse.
I cannot thank our local partners enough for joining our meetings, taking our phone calls and working with our state partners to discuss how this event will impact your counties and our state as a whole.
I am confident in the plans we have set in place to ensure that this event goes off smoothly, and we stand ready to respond if we are needed.
As we enter the final stretch, we need to continue to push safety messages to the public.
- Be prepared for heavy traffic and congestion.
- Fill up your gas tank and put food and drinks in a cooler in case you get stuck in traffic.
- Travel with any medications you may need for 24 hours.
- Never look at the eclipse without the proper eclipse glasses.
- Do not stop along the interstate or shoulder.
- Do not take pictures while driving.
- Do not wear solar eclipse glasses while driving.
- Stay at your location for a while until traffic dies down.
The State Emergency Operations Center is activating on Saturday to be ready to respond to your needs. You know how to get in contact with us if needed. As always, please update anything happening in your county in WebEOC. Please share our state TSE website at eclipse2024.in.gov and use the hashtag #ineclipse24 for any social updates.
I have one final request for you during the Total Solar Eclipse. Enjoy it! This is an experience you and your personnel should witness even as you take care of your communities.
Again, thank you for your collaboration. Please help us make this a successful event by submitting your updates in WebEOC.
Sincerely,
 Mary Moran, Emergency Management & Preparedness Director
Disaster Response
March 14 Storm Recovery
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Small Business Administration are hosting Disaster Loan Outreach Centers for residents who were impacted by the March 14 tornadoes in Delaware and Randolph counties.
A Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) is a specific location where residents who suffered damage from the storm can ask questions related to their recovery and receive one-on-one assistance connecting with relevant resources.
Locations have been established in Selma in Delaware County and Winchester in Randolph County, where much of the tornado damage occurred. Jefferson County residents should still contact 211 to report damages and needs.
Delaware County
Selma American Legion
315 S. Albany Street
Selma, IN 47383
Hours:
M-F, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Randolph County
Randolph County Building
Suite 200
325 S. Oak Street
Winchester, IN 47394
Hours:
M-F, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Saturday, April 6, Selma location is closed
- Monday, April 8, both locations closed
- Friday, April 19, both locations close at 2 p.m.
- Both locations are closed on Sundays.
April 2 Storm Recovery
Residents of Clark, Posey and Warrick counites are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from April 2, 2024.
To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.
Currently, only residents in Clark, Posey and Warrick counties should utilize Indiana 211 for April 2, 2024, damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.
Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.
Planning Updates
Business Emergency Operations Center Dashboard
 Click photo to open BEOC Dashboard
IDHS is promoting the Business Emergency Operations Center dashboard to private sector entities, state agencies, state and local chambers of commerce, utility organizations, health organizations, transportation systems and education institutions. This public-to-private dashboard is intended to offer a communication and information dissemination method to those entities not currently aligned with an emergency support function within the State Emergency Operations Center or those without access to WebEOC. The dashboard is updated, at a minimum, weekdays during non-activations and daily during activation periods. Benefits of this partnership can include:
- Networking opportunities and relationships with the program partners
- Access to information before, during and after disasters
- Education opportunities with planning, training and exercise events
- State and federal resource information and links
- Daily situation reports and current situation reports
For questions please contact Bryce Ahnafield, critical infrastructure and business emergency operations planning manager.
Total Solar Eclipse Planning
Total Solar Eclipse planning efforts are in the final steps for this phenomenal event. EMAs should have received the State Special Event Planning Guide, annexes from other agencies/organizations (1-2 page documents), and the County Guide.
If you need a copy or have any questions regarding Total Solar Eclipse planning, please email planning@dhs.in.gov.
Cybersecurity Incidents
It is mandatory to report cybersecurity incidents to the Indiana Office of Technology within 48 hours of discovery to be compliant with current legislation. This includes a wide range of entities such as counties, municipalities and school corporations.
Cybersecurity incidents encompass various threats like ransomware, business email compromise and website defacement.
Ensure compliance by registering a primary contact through the provided link and promptly report incidents using the designated form.
Sign up here to be a point of contact
Report an incident here
Response and Recovery Updates
HAM Radio Nets
The State AUXCOMM Team is looking for new members and contacts including local EMA directors. The updated application is live on the IDHS website. If EMAs are interested in participating and/or more information, please complete an application or contact IDHS Logistics Section Chief Melanie Pattenaude at mpattenaude@dhs.in.gov.
The State AUXCOMM Team (formerly known as RACES) hosts HAM radio nets on VHF and HF the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m. (1900) and 7:30 p.m.(1930) ET, respectively.
VHF nets are held on linked repeaters in the Indianapolis area: 147.210 (88.5Hz PL Tone) or 224.800 (88.5Hz PL Tone). Counties that cannot reach the Indianapolis repeaters may check in to the VHF net on Echolink (node 690934). HF nets are held on or about 3.920 MHz.
All EMA directors are encouraged to reach out to their local ham operators (individuals, ARES, RACES, AUXCOMM and clubs) for support during the upcoming 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. The IDHS AUXCOMM will be activated and monitor VHF and Echolink continuously, as well as the frequencies at times posted on the schedule to support emergency communications.
Training Update
All trainings are available in Acadis
Science of Disasters (L0102)
- April 23-25, 2024
- Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency, 3500 Harlan Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711
All Hazards Finance/Administration (L0973)
- April 29-May 1, 2024
- MADE@Plainfield, 1610 Reeves Road, Plainfield, IN 46168
Planning: Emergency Operations (L0103)
- May 8-9, 2024
- Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, 620 Green Road, Madison, IN 47250
ICS 400: Advanced ICS Command & General Staff
- April 18-19, 2024
- Franciscan Legacy Crown Point, Marion Education Center, 1201 S. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46349
ICS 300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
- April 20-25, 2024
- Churubusco High School, 1 Eagle Drive, Churubusco, IN 46723
Exercise Update
Register for the 2024 IDHS State IPPW
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) invites you to the 2024 State of Indiana Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop(IPPW).
The IPPW establishes the strategy and structure for an exercise program in addition to broader preparedness efforts (HSEEP). When identifying stakeholders to include, IDHS considered the whole-community approach, including but not limited to, local, state and federal partners.
IDHS encourages partner organizations to send in their multi-year Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP) and Schedules (IPS), or the like, in advance of the state IPPW, if you have one to share. You may send those to exercise@dhs.in.gov.
Workshop details
Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. - noon ET
Platform: Hybrid (both in-person in Marion County and via Microsoft Teams)
The communications check will begin at 9 a.m. ET, and the IPPW will start at 9:30 a.m. ET. A calendar invitation will be sent in advance of the event. Those who register to attend in-person will receive an email with the exercise location information. Those attending virtually will receive a link to the Microsoft Teams meeting.
Recording information: This workshop will be recorded for those unable to attend the live event. Please indicate below if you would like access to the recording. If you need HSEEP credit for EMPG salary reimbursement, be aware that watching the recording will not count toward this requirement and your name will not be tracked on the sign-in sheet.
Hazmat Updates
Requesting Copies of 2024 Emergency Response Guides
The 2024 Emergency Response Guides have arrived. Emergency managers should submit their requests for the total number of guides needed for public safety personnel in their county. Only county emergency managers should submit a request for ERGs.
The guides are not intended to be provided to every public safety employee, although enough guides should be available for reference for all departments and first responder agencies. Again, it is imperative to streamline the requests for these guides through the county EMA, who should submit the request via the link below.
Do not forward this link to any other agency or private entity! No private businesses are eligible to receive a free copy of the ERG from IDHS. All ineligible requests will be denied.
All requests must be received by April 15. County first responder agencies should communicate with their county EMA to request copies of the ERG.
Once submitted by the EMA, a date will be determined for that county or district designee to pick up the ERG copies from the IDHS Five Points facility. IDHS field staff will be extremely limited in their ability to deliver copies.
Questions can be directed to the IDHS district liaison assigned to your area.
Grant Updates
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Programs through IOT can be viewed here.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is accepting applications for the FFY 2023 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP). The federal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides full details.
Indiana applications are due to grants@dhs.in.gov by 5 p.m. EDT, April 25, 2023.
Visit the IDHS State Homeland Security Program webpage for full information on the SHSP grant, including the necessary forms required to apply for funding. Applicants are limited to one (1) National Priority application and one (1) Enduring Needs application. Two applications total, each capped at $150,000.
Like last year, applicants will submit PDF applications to grants@dhs.in.gov.
The FFY 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP-S) grant application window is open for local applicants. To receive NSGP-S, organizations cannot be located in Hamilton or Marion Counties.
Due to the deadline to return applications to FEMA, the application period for NSGP funding will be short. Indiana local applications are due to grants@dhs.in.gov by 5 p.m. EDT, April 25, 2023. All proposed projects are capped at $150,000.
Visit the NSGP webpage for full information on the NSGP grant, including the necessary forms required to apply for funding.
The NSGP is a competitive reimbursement grant program intended to provide federal funding for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack. The NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.
The program is open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located outside of Marion and Hamilton counties.
Prior to submitting an application, the items below must be completed:
- Finish the vulnerability assessment
- Secure an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- Determine what items organizations need to address vulnerabilities
The NSGP webpage features several resources to help you be successful in your application, including:
- A Fiscal Year 2023 NSGP FAQ
- Fiscal Year 2023 NGSP Subapplicant Quick Start Guide
- The full FY23 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
- FY2023 NSGP-S Application Instructions
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