Lawrence fire officials report new training partnerships, DEA license and MIH provider status

Chiefs from the Lawrence Fire Department on April 24 briefed the Board of Public Works and Safety on new interagency agreements, training-site certifications and an expansion of in‑home care services.

Fire officials said the department has established partnerships and certifications since early 2024 that expand training and clinical opportunities and increase local care capacity. John Moore of the Lawrence Fire Department told the board the department has obtained its own DEA license, become an American Heart Association training site, and is certified by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to host EMT and instructor courses. The department also reached an agreement with Ivy Tech Community College to allow paramedic students to complete clinical ride‑outs in Lawrence ambulances; Moore said the college is now offering free college tuition to department employees as part of the collaboration. Moore described the MIH recognition the department received and said it allows the department to “go out and meet the needs of the community before they need to call 911 and provide health care in people's homes rather than have them take them to the emergency rooms.”

Chief Bob Wallace and Chief Moore thanked the board for earlier approvals that enabled those developments; the mayor’s recent state-of-the-city address also referenced the MIH program. Board members thanked the chiefs and did not ask for further action; the presentation was informational. The transcript does not include contracts, grant award letters, or program implementation schedules in the public excerpt.

Fire officials asked for continued board support as the department expands training and MIH services.