Public Safety Training for Hoosier First Responders

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The Fort Wayne Public Safety Academy of Northwest Indiana (PSA) will develop college-level courses and programs of study in first responder emergency response and workplace safety and security practices. PSA provides regional training and educational opportunities for police, fire, and emergency medical professionals and volunteers, while enhancing interagency training and cooperation required for successful emergency disaster response. Through an academic partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute of Technology, and Tri-State (Trine) University, PSA will develop a curriculum in first responder emergency response, and workplace safety and security practices. PSA will coordinate the design and development of two training programs in cooperation with their academic partners. A program for first responders will focus on incident management training and will be based on currently approved federal training courses. Another program will focus on individuals involved in managing or operating a business, business students, and business owners in the community. These courses will offer credit or non-credit from one or more of the participating institutions.

NCA/NCF