EMA director seeks federal grants to update mitigation plan and fund security, collapse-response capabilities

EMA Director Abby Worth asked the Board to authorize several federal grant applications intended to strengthen local hazard planning and first-responder capabilities.

Worth explained that the federal BRIC program no longer funds the vendor-assisted updates to the county's Multi‑Hazard Mitigation Plan and that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) has identified an FMA grant as an alternative funding source to pay for hazard projections and vendor support. Worth warned that "failure to adopt an updated plan would render the county and its jurisdictions ineligible for federal mitigation funding." The Board authorized EMA to pursue the FMA grant in the amount of $10,000 (motion carried 3–0).

Worth also presented two State Homeland Security Program applications, each fully federally funded with no county match and each not to exceed $200,000. The first, a Soft Target Protection Grant, would fund mobile security equipment such as metal detectors, cameras, and screening devices for event organizers; the second would fund initial training and equipment to stand up a county structural collapse response team in partnership with local public-safety agencies. The Board authorized both SHSP applications by unanimous votes.

EMA staff said the SHSP window had opened and that these projects had been previously vetted in 2025 submissions; staff emphasized timing to meet the July 9 application deadline.