public safety - Infant Swimming Resource

volume 1
city of indianapolis department of
public safety
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may 2013
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In this issue: Response to Boston Bombing and Q&A | Excellence in Government Awards | Adoptable Animals | ACC Foundation
High School Prom Safety Awareness Campaign | CERT Teams | Open Burning Regulations | Comm Van 1 | Telecommunicators Week
IMPD Capt. James Reno Honored | May is Water Safety Month | Police, Fire and Sheriff Awards | IFD and IMS 30 Years of Tradition
Efficiency Teams Update | DPS Goals and Measures | DPS Employees Honored | DPS Twitter Information
Public Safety Director Troy Riggs
Hello // It’s hard to believe, but I have now been serving the citizens of Indianapolis for
six months. Many positive changes and initiatives have occurred over this time. It would be difficult for anyone to find a
group of public safety professionals who have
moved so fast and addressed such a range of
issues. This is only possible because we have
dedicated, talented employees and a tremendously supportive public. However, this is only the beginning. If we truly
want to be recognized as the nation’s finest
Department of Public Safety, we will need to
continually improve our administrative and
operational responsibilities. This is never easy,
but it is tremendously rewarding.
In this newsletter, I hope you will take the time
to get updated on our Efficiency Teams. Even though they are still actively involved in
helping chart our future, some recommendations have already been made and implemented. I thank everyone who has participated in
the teams and those who have offered suggestions through [email protected].
In closing, I want to thank Ben Tupper and
Lori White for their excellent work putting
together our newsletters. The newsletter
has become a tremendous method for me to
share information and address concerns.
Thank you for your hard work and
commitment to the citizens of Indianapolis.
God Bless and stay safe // Troy
A few words from Director Riggs on Boston and upcoming public events in Indy:
The terrorist attack in Boston has once again reminded us of the evil that is in the world. There are those
who despise America and her citizens. Today, we stand with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners ready to protect our citizens. With all the festivals ready to begin, a lot of attention will
be on our city. With this in mind I wanted to update everyone on what the Mayor and the Department of
Public Safety leadership will be doing over the next few days.
Obviously, monitoring the investigative findings in Boston and addressing any possible threats in our
operational plans is paramount. Our operational plans are in the process of being reviewed and discussions continue with our event partners to ensure that we are proactively addressing any concerns. Event
partners and the DPS will work together to share updated information with our citizens and to remind
everyone to report any suspicious activities. It is also important to note that our Department of Homeland Security is in constant contact with first responders throughout our nation, sharing information,
and constantly adopting best practices.
For all of us in public safety, I thank you for the work you do each and every day. I do want to remind
you to have action plans for your family in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. As a public safety
official, you will be called upon to help citizens in need. Let’s work together to ensure that our families
are safe and know what to do if we are called to action.
God bless and stay safe // Troy
Please take a
moment to listen to Director
Riggs’ recent
interview with
local talk show
host Abdul.
http://www.indypolitics.org/
post/48114545796
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dps responds to boston marathon attack
Director Troy Riggs held a press conference on April 16, 2013 and shared the following
information:
I have already held a pre-planning meeting with all our Division Chiefs and key individuals
on the 500 Festival team to touch base on our large scale event plans in light of the attack
at the Boston Marathon yesterday. We believe we live in a safe city. We are going to
learn what happened in Boston and fine tune our event preparedness. We have spoken
with Lori Miser, Director of Department of Public Works, and they are on board with our
plans and will do whatever we need done should something happen. Sheriff Layton has
offered the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office as well.
The DPS team will also be looking into developing a social media presence on Twitter
for sharing and receiving public safety information; however, we also want to encourage
our citizens to heed the words of the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign.
This advice encourages citizens to monitor their own environment for suspicious objects
or behavior on trains or buses, at stations and other public places. By being observant in
these types of settings, you could drastically minimize the chance of danger and help to
keep our state safer. If you want to report suspicious activity or in the state please call
1-877-226-1026.
We live in a
free society
Excellence in Government Awards Luncheon
Five hard working individuals in our DPS family received a DPS Excellence in Government Award on April 10th . Each award winner
plus a guest were able attend a celebration luncheon hosted and sponsored by California Pizza Kitchen at Circle Center Mall and are
pictured here. Each winner received a certificate, photo with Director Riggs and Deputy Director Washington and will receive an
extra day off.
Thank you for your above and beyond work on a daily basis!
and we have to
work together
to keep it free.
We live in a free society and we have to work together to keep it free. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Boston and to all
affected by this tragedy. God bless and stay safe // Troy Riggs
Billie Bowling, ACC
Julie Zink, ACC
Sara Woodson, DHS
Raymonda Howard, IFD
Q & A regarding upcoming public events
Do we have enough
K-9’s for security at
large events? Yes, we
have a highly trained bomb
detection team and we
have sufficient resources
of K-9’s to handle large
events.
Will you be using
the cameras used
for Super Bowl activities? Yes we will be
using the cameras and
monitoring them.
Have we been in
touch with the FBI
and the White House?
Our local FBI agents have
been in touch with us.
We have a good working
relationship with our local
agents.
Nominate another deserving individual for the
Excellence in Government Award TODAY
What if the cell phone system goes down? Our Officers/Public Safety staff will be
using radios and verbal communications on site during an incident. No city is perfect but we
have the best communications system. One of the great things this City has done is to give
IMPD officers take home cars. They can respond that much quicker to an incident.
What plans will change
because of Boston? 1)
More K-9’s on duty for large
scale events. 2) Twitter
@indy_dps or #indydps
and Facebook feeds up
and running. 3) Other
minor items behind the scenes.
[click for online form]
What about personal searches at large scale events? We are confident with
the procedures we currently have in place but we reserve the right to change a safety
measure at an event. We would let the public know.
Use twitter to post and search for real time crow-sourced information on events as they
are happening with any smartphone, tablet or computer with an internet connection
Jerry Snitko, IMPD
+
Please take just a few minutes of your time to
recognize someone else’s years of effort!
Nominate Continuous Excellence Today
http://bit.ly/excellence-in-gov
[click for online form]
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kind animals in need of good homes
friends of indianapolis acc foundation
Meet Spirit
Spirit is a sweet and loving soul who ended up at the
shelter through no fault of her own. Her owner was
moving into a facility that refused to accept dogs, and
so was forced to surrender Spirit to the shelter. She is
10 years old, but being aptly named, she still has quite a
bit of “spirit” left in her. She is housebroken and knows
a few commands. She is very gentle and seems to smile
when you love on her. Spirit would do best in a calm
household. Please hurry to our shelter and ask to meet Spirit : A197860
Meet Patty
Patty is one of the most affectionate cats we’ve had at
the shelter. She loves everyone and regularly asks for
attention. With her beautiful markings and large round
eyes, you’re not likely to find a more attractive cat. She
is playful and has a silly side, as you can tell from her photo. Patty really has it all: beauty and personality!
Patty is currently at the Castleton PetSmart, so please go in
and ask to meet Patty: A195325
Animal Care and Control
2600 South Harding Street - Indianapolis, IN 46221
The Friends of Indianapolis Animal Care and Control Foundation (FIACCFI) was established
through the dedicated efforts of concerned volunteers and leaders of Indianapolis Animal
Care and Control (IACC) to address the problem of homeless and unwanted pets in our community. It is FIACCFI’s sole purpose to help save the lives and support the welfare of shelter
animals in Indianapolis.
Funds donated to FIACCFI go directly to the homeless animals of Indianapolis.
These vital donations are put to work in a variety of ways:
- Promoting adoptions
- Supporting shelter volunteering
- Fostering
- Community spay and neuter
- Other lifesaving programs
- Fundraising for services not provided for within the city’s budget
- Educating Indianapolis’ citizens
about the plight of our precious
animal residents.
FIACCFI provides help directly to
the animals at IACC and plays a direct role in the shelter’s success.
FIACCFI is not affiliated with
any other organization or entity. They believe they can assist in the
reduction of animal overpopulation in
Indianapolis by working to raise awareness about the animals at IACC and
advocating on their behalf.
[click for Google map]
Weekdays 10am - 6pm - Wednesday 10am - 7pm | Saturday 10am - 6pm - Closed Sundays and Holidays
Help control the pet population. Please have your pet spayed or neutered :)
For more information on FIACCFI or to make a donation, please visit their website: http://friendsofindyacc.org/
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department of public safety urges prom-goers to make good decisions
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For many Indianapolis high school students,
prom night will likely kick off with blinding camera flashes attempting to capture layers of tulle
and carefully knotted ties in the perfect preprom pictures. By the end of the night, however, some students may be trading in those
pretty photos for post-prom mug shots – or toe
tags.
according to NHTSA. In 2011, 3,331 people
died in distracted driving crashes and almost
400,000 more were injured.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Safety
(DPS) and several supporting partners urged
students to make smart choices on prom night,
and every night, with a new campaign. DPS and
partners announced a campaign where it is using posters, school communications and social
media to spread the message of good decision
making. The campaign will also include messages on the stations of Radio One, which is
pleased to support the outreach effort.
“There is only so much that parents and teachers can do,” said Dr. Charles Miramonti, chief
of Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services.
“The choice is ultimately in the hands of the
students. Their fate hinges upon the decisions
they make.”
The goal of the DPS campaign is to deter Indianapolis prom-goers from becoming a part of
the statistics. The way prom night ends, however, is entirely up to the students.
Joining DPS in the effort to keep students
safe on prom night are community sponsors Eskenazi Health, Indiana University
Health Methodist Trauma Center, Goodman
Campbell Brain and Spine, the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers and Monarch
Beverage Company. Various divisions of DPS
are also involved, including Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services, Indianapolis Fire
Department, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and Indianapolis Division
of Homeland Security, as well as the Marion
County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Temptations run rampant on prom night for
many students, as the pressures to drink or do
drugs are touted as a way to make the night
memorable. Combine those risky behaviors
with driving (and possibly texting at the same
time), and the consequences are serious.
“Kids these days really feel the pressure to
drink or partake in other illegal activities, thinking that this is the only way to have fun,” said
Troy Riggs, City of Indianapolis, Public Safety
Director. “They often don’t think of the dire
consequences of decisions like this, meaning
incarceration, severe injury or death.”
The campaign stresses these consequences,
which statistics show are very real. Nearly half
of all high school students use addictive substances, according to Columbia University’s
National Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse; and special events, like prom, see in-
DPS and its partners are getting their message to students with the help of Indianapolis high schools, including Indianapolis Public
Schools, Warren Central High School, Cathedral High School, Cardinal Ritter High School
and Bishop Chatard High School.
“The choice is ultimately in the hands of the students. Their fate hinges upon the decisions they make.”
creased rates of usage. During prom and graduation season of 2005, 676 students died in alcohol-related traffic accidents, according to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The NHTSA also reports that 30 people are killed every day in motor vehicle accidents due to alcohol-impaired drivers, amounting to one death every
48 minutes. That means that in the time students are at their high school prom, between three and five people will die in accidents involving alcohol. Even if students choose not to drink or do drugs, other risky behaviors, like distracted driving, can bring some of the same consequences. Texting,
eating, talking with friends or primping in the mirror all contribute to distracted driving, which accounted for 18 percent of all traffic accidents in 2010,
For more information on this campaign, please visit
If students are struggling with a life decision or need help after making
a bad choice, the Midtown Community Mental Health Crisis Hotline is
available 24/7 at 317.630.8485.
http://indianapolisems.org/how-will-your-night-end/
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community emergency response teams
Reading the recent articles about the devastating Flood of 1913 it’s hard to imagine the damage incurred. Could it happen again? You bet.
Now, however, the State is much more populated and we are dependent upon electronics for much of our everyday activity. We should each
take a minute to think about what we would do in our homes and neighborhoods if we were suddenly without power, clean water and easy
access to food. There are about 800,000 people in Marion County. Realizing that due to the relatively limited number of professional first responders (police, firefighters, ambulances, etc.) it could take as long as three or four days for them to reach you, would your family have a plan?
We should each take a minute to think
about what we would do in our homes
and neighborhoods if we were suddenly
without power, clean water and easy access to food.
Fortunately, there are people trained to assist in such situations. They
are volunteers known as Community Emergency Response Teams.
Most counties in Indiana have training sessions for teams, presented
by Homeland Security, as part of a national network of CERT’s. In Marion County, the Indianapolis Division of Homeland Security is currently
offering such training and there will be additional sessions starting in
April, September and October. Each includes a total of 21 hours of
training at 3-hour weekly classes, culminating in a simulated disaster
to test the knowledge and skills gained during the training.
Volunteers are trained to locate and turn off utilities, extinguish small
fires, treat minor injuries, perform light search and rescue operations,
and relieve survivor stress. Teams are activated by Homeland Security
to respond immediately after a disaster in their own neighborhood
and assist emergency personnel when requested to do so. Of primary importance is the saving of lives, followed by safeguarding health,
protecting the environment, and then the preservation of property.
Homeland Security has a multitude of emergency plans in case of di-
can i burn my yard waste in marion county?
By Lt. Larry Tracy, IFD Public Information Officer
Spring and summer are upon us and it is a time for yard clean
ups, garage clean outs, tree and shrub trimming and cutting.
This is also the season for open burning, which keeps firefighters extremely busy during this time of the year. Indiana rules
generally prohibit open burning and before you consider open
burning please go to www.municode.com and review the
code for open burning.
Things you should know about open
burning are:
1. Only residents of Marion County may burn.
2. Only dried twigs, limbs and branches originating from the
property can be burned. Leaves, paper, trash, treated wood, or garbage are not allowed to be burned
sasters from floods, tornadoes, ice storms, blizzards, and even terrorism. The plans are reviewed and updated twice a year, with special
efforts currently to update them for the particular needs of people
with disabilities. For instance, CERT volunteers will be involved in a
disaster simulation in April to set up a center to dispense prescription
drugs for survivors who have had to evacuate their homes.
There are about 90 languages spoken in Marion County, so people
with language skills are always especially needed. Those with other
specialized skills are also in demand. But the most important criteria
is a simple desire to be a trained team member to assist in whatever
way you are directed to help. There is a program for Teen CERT also
for youths ages 12 and older (grades 6-12).
3. A non-combustible container with a ventilated mesh covering with openings no greater than ¼ of an inch must be used.
4. Burning is allowed only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
5. Burning must occur at least fifteen feet from any structure.
6. Water or other means of extinguishment must be maintained throughout the course of the burn.
7. The burning of wood products at a business or where the fire creates a nuisance is not allowed.
Open burning has a negative effect on the environment and to public health when the smoke from open burning is inhaled by individuals. Alternatives to open burning are solid waste disposal and composting, both which eliminate the negative effects of open burning. For solid waste disposal
your bundles of twigs and small limbs must be tied up and not exceed 3 feet by 3 feet in size, each bundle will count as bag and each resident is
allowed up to 10 bags a week to be picked up. There are various penalties for open burning ranging from a possible warning to fines that get more
severe based on the number of violations.
Alternatives to Open Burning
Residential waste
disposal has a
If you are interested in going through CERT training, please contact the Marion County CERT at
online www.indy.gov/dhs email [email protected] phone 317-327-3900
10 BAG LIMIT
NEXT 2013 CERT COURSES:
Always check with your local fire department, health department, or city or
county government agency to see if local bans or restrictions are in place.
September 7, 14, 21, 28 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (SATURDAYS) CLASS LOCATION: TBD
October 5, 12, 19, 26 9:00 am-3:00 pm (SATURDAYS) CLASS LOCATION: 3930 Georgetown Rd, Indianapolis
2013 Advanced Courses:
(Must have completed 21 hour CERT Training to participate)
September 7, 2013 CERT Advanced Training CLASS LOCATION: TBD
Composting is a great alternative
for organic waste!
Firefighters want everyone to have a safe spring and summer season, but
give consideration to your neighbors, the environment, and your local firefighters before you consider open burning. There are alternatives to open
burning that should be given consideration and remember burning trash,
tires, garbage, and debris can cause a dangerously toxic situation and is not
permitted under any circumstance.
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PSC's mobile communications van
telecommunicators week
Indianapolis Fire Department Spotlight –Celebrating our Telecommunicators April 15th -April 19th
By Lt. Larry Tracy, IFD Public Information Officer
On the front lines of public safety every day we see our police officers at work; we see our firefighters taking care of
emergencies and fighting fires protecting us and we see our emergency service workers taking care of our emergent
health concerns. Yet, there is a group of voices that we don’t see on the front lines, but they are the unsung heroes that
make the work on the front lines possible: The IFD Telecommunicators. In 2012, the Indianapolis Fire Department Telecommunicators answered close to 300,000 emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatched over 140,000 runs.
In 2012, the Indianapolis Fire Department Telecommunicators answered close to 300,000 emergency and
non-emergency calls and dispatched over 140,000 runs.
0 to 60 in 15 minutes!
The Public Safety Communications Van has been providing on-scene
event support to the Department of Public Safety for over a decade.
The Comm Van serves as a command post for IMPD and IFD during
large, unplanned events such as SWAT callouts, missing person cases,
and natural disasters. It also supports planned events such as parades
and races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Its many features
include a robust Wi-Fi network, pictometry (mapping), the ability to
patch radio channels between systems, on-board cameras for suspect
and witness interviews, outside cameras for viewing or recording a
scene, and a light mast for illuminating a night time incident.
In order to better serve the Department of Public Safety, several
technological upgrades and advancements have been made to the
van recently.
• Wi-Fi - The new, upgraded technology drastically increases
internet speeds in and around the van as well as allows PSC
technicians to remotely monitor and troubleshoot internet
related issues.
• Wireless Printing - printing from a PSC laptop on the van
is now done wirelessly. We also support printing from any laptop or smartphone by sending an email to the printer. Instructions are provided on the van.
The Comm Van
Sherry Taylor
Communications Director
serves as a
command post
Jeff Taylor
Assistant Communications
Director
It takes a unique combination of mental and emotional strength to handle the
stress and pressure involved with performing the job of Emergency Telecommunicator. They are trained in Emergency Medical Dispatch, Public safety Telecommunicator Training, CPR, and must have a functional knowledge of city geography. Sherry Taylor, Emergency Communications Center Manager, said “With the
skilled Telecommunicators we have, the response times for emergency medical
runs has been reduced significantly with emergency care given over the phone
by dispatchers.
The IFD Telecommunicators aspire to be as supportive and helpful as they possibly can to those on the front lines. They are a critical branch of the public safety
system and a vital part of the Indianapolis Fire Department operations. Because
of the communications and knowledge of the (IFD) telecommunicators the fire
ground and emergency medical operations are efficient, organized, and made a
lot safer.
Assisting Sherry Taylor in communications is Jeff Taylor , Assistant Emergency
Center Manager. They have approximately 36 Tele-communicators under their
supervision that handle communications for IFD every day of the year including
weekends and holidays. Without our silent heroes behind the scenes the day to
day operations of IFD could not take place.
• Smartboard – Allows incident commanders to use a 42” TV overlay
to draw or write instructions on a satellite image of the scene. These
marked up images can then be printed or emailed for dispersal.
If anyone would like a demo of the new communications van features, please contact PSC Customer
Service Manager Ashton Brandyberry
[email protected] or 317-327-1471.
For all their hard work, dedication, professionalism, patience,
and empathy, those on the front lines of Indianapolis Fire Department would like to say thank you for being a valued partner in public safety!
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may is water safety month
spotlight on IMPD Captain James Reno
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Capt. James Reno receives Indiana Heroes Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Special Olympics
By Kendale Adams, IMPD Public Information Officer
Don’t let it happen to your family!
By Angela Hiestand, IFD
Indiana Pacers Sports and Entertainment: In recognition of the countless Heroes
throughout the state of Indiana, the Indiana Pacers and Citizens Energy Group present
the Indiana Heroes Award. This award is presented to an individual or group of individuals who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others and who, through
their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting
contributions to our community and our State. Heroes are provided four tickets to a
select Pacers game, recognized on-court and receive an Indiana Heroes medal from a
member of the Indiana Pacers.
As parents, we’ve all done it. Take that quick phone call. Reply to a quick text. Say, “I’ll just run inside and grab it”. How many of us have more than one
child, and are often distracted by the others? The door bell rings. The home phone rings. Oh, it will only take a second… We’ve all done it.
It just takes one moment to look away from your child, to take the chance of having the devastating results of a drowning, or even a near drowning.
According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for infants and young children ages 1-4.
As an Indianapolis firefighter, I knew the importance of water safety for all ages. I knew that giving my children the added protection of taking swimming lessons was a must, but I just wasn’t sure what all of my options were. Last summer I learned through our department email that there is a
program out there that actually teaches children ages 6 months to 6 years not just how to swim, but actually how to self-rescue in the event that they
find themselves in water, alone.
Captain James Reno of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has been
involved with Special Olympics Indiana for more than 18 years. The mission of Special
Olympics is to increase awareness and raise funds for local Special Olympics athletes’
programs, and promotes the message of acceptance and inclusion of all those with intellectual disabilities. The athletes’ creed is “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave
in the attempt.”
The Indiana Heroes Award is presented to an individual or group of individuals who have made
an overwhelming impact on the lives of others
and who, through their unique commitment and
humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional contribution to our community and our State
These lessons aren’t just your average swimming lessons. These lessons actually teach your child to rescue themselves, until help arrives. Children are
taught to roll over on their back and float, at the early age of 6 months. As your child gets older, your child is taught how to float, swim, and then float
again, until help arrives.
Capt. Reno with Pacers big man Roy Hibbert
During his involvement with Special Olympics Indiana
Captain Reno was the driving force behind getting
our local Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) up and
running. This event is the largest grassroots fundraising movement supporting Special Olympics. Captain
Reno has been the police department’s liaison for this
organization for many years. He has participated in
and helped organize virtually every Law Enforcement
Torch Run related event in the city and involves more
and more local officers each year. He personally helped to implement numerous new fundraising ideas locally that were profiled at past international
conferences including the Polar Plunge, Plane Pull, Over the Edge, Largest Truck Convoy, Motorcycle Raffle, Motorcycle Ride and the Sailing Regatta
along with selling T-Shirts and procuring donations. In addition, he continues to make Law Enforcement Torch Run presentations to police recruit
classes and police command staff.
For years, Captain Reno has been and continues to be one of the go to persons that Special Olympics Indiana contacts to coordinate and provide Law
Enforcement Torch Run resources. He served four years on Special Olympics Indiana board of directors and was a member of two standing sub-committees. He consistently ranked in the top 20% of the board members for number of activities participated in and money donated and raised. He
has been honored by Special Olympics Indiana as a co-recipient of the first “Dennis Schmidt Impact Award - For Your Extraordinary Efforts”. He has
not missed a Special Olympics Summer Games opening ceremony for over ten years, and was given the honor to run the torch and assist the athlete
with lighting the cauldron on two occasions. The location is seventy miles away so he spends the night and helps the next day by staffing the Law Enforcement Torch Run tent and participating in medal presentations. As he moves throughout the event, he constantly promotes good will with every
passing attendee.
// Congratulations Capt. Reno!
Children
are taught
to roll over
on their
back and
float, at the
early age of
6 months.
Lessons are taught one-on-one by certified instructors
May is National Water Safety Month. As members of Public Safety, I feel it is important for us to get the word out to more and more individuals and
families that see the devastating effects of drowning first hand. We know how quickly life can change in a split second, and if there is a training out
there, that can buy you one minute, two minutes, five minutes, even ten minutes, wouldn’t you want to know about it?
If you have young children and own a pool, live on or near a lake, or plan to be around water this summer, please take the time to look into these classes,
and have your child learn ISR Self-Rescue™ skills.
Every parent knows that life can be crazy. It only takes a second to get distracted and your life may never be the same. Nothing can take the place of
adult supervision, but having this added layer of protection may give you the extra few minutes you need before your child is found. Help spread the
word so that not one more child drowns.
You can find out more information by going to www.infantswim.com
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45th annual fire, police, deputy sheriff's awards luncheon held may 2, 2013
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The 45th Annual Fire Police Deputy Sherriff’s Community Recognition Luncheon was held on Thursday May 2, 2013. Honoring those who risk their
lives to save others, community partners recognize Firefighters, Police Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies for outstanding service in 2012. Title Sponsor, Citizen’s Energy Group hosted the luncheon at Primo Banquet and Conference Center on the Southside of Indianapolis. Public Safety Director
Troy Riggs was the keynote speaker.
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Excellent Work! Thank you!
The following Public Safety personnel received awards at this year’s banquet. Congratulations!!
fire
police
sheriff
Firefighter of the Year
Admininstrative Firefighter of the Year
Operations Firefighter of the Year
Telecommunicator of the Year
Rookie/Sub Firefighter of the Year
Chief Phil Reuter
Cpt. Kevin Givens
Chief Rick Longerich
Kim Lang
Pvt. Jolene Richards
Community Service Firefighter of the Year
Engine Engineer of the Year
Ladder Engineer of the Year
EMS Firefighter of the Year
Fire Rescue of the Year
Pvt. John Fultz
Engineer Scott Harrington
Engineer Terry Toffolo
Cpt. Ron Dicks
Pvt. Tim Harvel
Pvt. Andy Killilea
Police Officer of the Year
Admininstrative Officer of the Year
Invetigative Officer of the Year
Reserve Officer of the Year
Rookie Officer of the Year
Officer Mark Rand
Officer Cory Nash
Officer Aaron Barnum
Officer Alejandro Lastra
Officer Molly Mason
Community Svc. Officer of the Year
Crime Stopper Officer of the Year
Downtown District Officer of the Year
Traffic Officer of the Year
Special Services Officer of the Year
Officer LeEtta White
Officer Ronald Clayton
Officer William Payne
Officer Michael Duke
Officer Zachary Taylor
East District Officer of the Year
North District Officer of the Year
Northwest District Officer of the Year
Southwest District Officer of the Year
Southeast District Officer of the Year
Officer John Walters
Officer Matthew Thomas
Officer Greg Brinker
Officer Logen Adkins
Officer Mark Spears
Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year
Admninstrative Employee of the Year
Criminal Division Deputy of the Year
Jail Deputy of the Year
Deputy Daniel Majors
Deputy Xavier Jenkins
Deputy Thomas Jadrich
Deputy Jacob Pickett
Emergency Communications
Employee of the Year
Community Policing Support
Officer of the Year
Officer T. Michael Wilson
Christopher Buckley
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ifd and ims, a 30 year partnership continues
efficiency team updates
By Cpt. Rita Burris, IFD Public Information Officer
Seven of our efficiency teams will be
completing their work in May and preparing to present their findings to the
Public Safety Director in early June.
The following teams have final drafts
due on June 1st, 2013: Police Allocation, Police Morale, DPS Vehicles, DPS
Business Plans, Graffiti Eradication,
Limited English Proficiency, and IMPD
Discipline Process.
In the world of partnerships, none is more global or high profile than the working relationship between the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) and
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). For over 30 years the IFD has assisted with fire and medical coverage at events occurring at IMS and during
the month long festivities leading up to the race. The 500 Festival organizes many events for fans leading up to the greatest spectacle in racing. These
events include the 500 Mini-Marathon, 500 Festival Memorial Service, 500 Kids Day and the nationally televised 500 Festival Parade notably the 3rd
largest parade in the nation.
The Police Morale Team has made
two early recommendations which
have already been put into place.
Increased communication between the police department
and Office of the Chief of Police are among the first recommendations. Chief Rick Hite will
connect regularly with the rank and file of
the police department through a bi-weekly
newsletter and email blasts.
1
For over 30 years the IFD has assisted with fire and
medical coverage at events occurring at IMS and during
the month long festivities leading up to the race.
The second recommendation involves honoring
public safety servants who have made the ultimate sacrifice through the Fallen Officers Legacy
Project. A commemorative plaque will be placed
at the 118 incident locations within our community where officers (IMPD, IFD and IEMS) have died in the line
of duty. This initiative is also has the full support of Fraternal
Order of Police #86 and Indianapolis Professional Firefighters
Local 416.
2
The Violent Crime Review Team chaired by IMPD Chief Rick Hite and Assistant Chief Hicks will present
their rough draft of the plan of action for Summer 2013 within the next week.
In the ever growing, changing environment of public safety, the IFD’s input into such large scale events as the Indianapolis 500, cannot be underestimated. Drawing crowds of well over 400,000 to the one-day event,
pre-planning for the May race begins in October. Meetings between IMS
officials, the Speedway Fire Department and other public safety entities
such as IFD, DHS, IMPD, IEMS and ISP leave no stone unturned addressing
changing needs at the track. Possible issues such as terrorism, hazardous
materials and fire have stepped up the involvement of the IFD and other
agencies over the last 2 years. Since the track opened in 1909 the crowds
have increased, cars go faster, possible threats more complicated and
technology has created an environment that can be hard to stay ahead
of... for even the most progressive safety thinkers. With the click of a button, everything that happens at the track goes global in an instant.
At the invitation of Speedway Fire Chief Mark Watson, area public safety
agencies were asked to re-direct their singular efforts to a more comprehensive unified command effort. Table top discussions, each with a different scenario, are performed throughout the planning sessions in order
to best gauge team and equipment needs. The IFD typically provides 9
Units along with a full Hazardous Materials Team for the race. Speedway,
Wayne Township and Pike Township provide 1-2 units with manpower. It
is not uncommon for all agencies combined to mitigate 200 plus responses during the race. These incidents include Fire, EMS and Police. Four
The Hiring and Promotions Team conducted their initial team meeting on April 24, 2013 and will pur-
Joint Hazard Assessment Teams (JHAT), are strategically placed throughout IMS tasked with investigating any product or information that may
lead to a significant incident requiring a specialized response or evacuation. Something as innocuous as an unattended purse or bag can lead to
unnecessary panic until fully investigated by a JHAT team.
Although the 500 Mile Race is the largest attended event at the track,
the Public Safety Unified Command is active for other racing events at
the track such as the Red Bull GP and the Brickyard 400. The IFD values
its partnership with the IMS and other local, State and Federal agencies
involved in public safety coverage. In 2010 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched the “See Something, Say Something” national
911campaign, bringing it to the IMS in 2011. Since then, the commitment
of area public safety agencies to those attending the race has never been
stronger. Each agency brings with it a specialty or service that all attendees benefit from. While some resources are obvious, such as the EMS and
Fire Crews stationed throughout the track, others are not, all having the
same watchful protective eye on the activities at the track.
Hope to see you at the 97th running of the
Indianapolis 500 on May 26, 2013!
sue the following goals: 1) Ensure that IMPD and IFD’s hiring and promotional processes provide equal opportunities to all individuals to become members of either department and 2) Ensure that IMPD and IFD officers have
the opportunity to advance their careers through promotion.
Deputy Director Val Washington has launched the Administration Review Process Team with initial reviews with each Division Chief beginning the
second week of May. Each division will be reviewed quarterly by the Deputy Director.
The following teams are preparing to assemble their teams and get started on the goals set before them:
IEMS Service Review Team , Dr. Charles Miramonti-Team Lead
DPS Outreach and Communications (Social Media)
Crime Reporting Data and Collection, Manny Mendez-Team Lead
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CAD Implemention, Chief Tim Baughman-Team Lead.
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If you would like to serve on one of these teams or upcoming
efficiency teams, please email us at [email protected]
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2013 goals and measures
dps' deb cooper and nedra johnson honored
On April 19, 2013 the Department of Public Safety (DPS) under the direction of Troy Riggs released the 2013 DPS Goals and Objectives. DPS Division
Chiefs and Directors were asked to provide information for the following categories: Two Department of Public Safety (DPS) employees were given Mayor’s Performance Awards today in a ceremony honoring those who have made a
significant contribution improving performance, and/or improving efficiencies, providing cost saving initiatives and enhancing services to taxpayers. Deb Cooper and Nedra Johnson were honored as individuals who have consistently gone above and beyond to provide excellent customer service to
every employee, citizen, and vendor they encounter. Director Troy Riggs and all of DPS would like to congratulate Deb Cooper and Nedra Johnson on
this outstanding achievement. top
2013 Goals and Measures
Mission
Statement Structure
Funding
Each sectional review helps to establish real and measurable goals,
allow for incorporation of goals and objectives into the business
plan DPS is developing and hold each Chief/Director accountable for
implementation of those goals.
Director of Public Safety Troy Riggs states that “The importance of
this initiative cannot be underestimated. Internal reviews and subsequent written objectives are important, as we continue to assess
strengths, address concerns and search for improvements. This is
the first step in the development of business plans for 2014.” An
efficiency team is currently working on a business plan template and
additional business practices for the Department of Public Safety.
Staffing
Goals and
Measures
Special
Projects
Director Riggs encourages an active role from citizens by utilizing the following DPS e-mail to
offer input or to share concerns. [email protected]
The DPS Director’s Office Finance Unit handles the procurement processing and financial transactions for all DPS Divisions, excluding IFD. This
unit comprised of only, Deb Cooper and Nedra Johnson, was originally
structured to do the purchasing for only IMPD; however, with budget reductions and the inability to hire new staff, the two women have taken
over the purchasing duties for Homeland Security, Director’s Office, Citizen’s Police Complaint Office, and Animal Care & Control. Their nominator states “Cooper and Johnson provide impeccable
customer service to all DPS employees that contact them with requests. They work diligently every day to ensure that everyone has
their purchasing needs met within the department. They are always more than willing to spend additional time helping someone
research an item or to provide spec information to City Purchasing.”
“They are always more than willing to
spend additional time helping someone
research an item or to provide spec information to City Purchasing.”
With notable efficiencies, Cooper and Johnson have implemented a system that provides a quick resolution to supply requests by officers, transparency for citizens with regard to taxpayer spending, vendor savings and
specials for DPS purchases and invoice processing in a timely manner. It is
this willingness to go the extra mile that encourages outside agencies to
do business with DPS.
Indianapolis Department Of Public Safety wants you to follow them on Twitter
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) under the direction of Troy Riggs is encouraging Indianapolis area residents to follow
@Indy_DPS on Twitter. Although the DPS
Twitter handle currently has over 2200
followers, Riggs wants to ramp up the
opportunity for citizens to get immediate,
real time information every day and during
every event. “This is the first step in what
we envision as a comprehensive social media effort to communicate with the people
we are tasked with protecting.” Through
a combined effort of Twitter users and
followers such as our media partners, even
those who are not technologically savvy
will be receiving time sensitive, critical
information should the need arise to
disseminate it.
Director of Public Safety Troy Riggs states
that “The importance of this first step is
huge in establishing ourselves as proactive
stewards of the community we serve. The
public must know that we are committed
to public safety and will do whatever we
can to step up our efforts to communicate.” While many city agencies have an
already established Twitter accounts, the
need for a DPS based information product
(Twitter) was thrust into the spotlight
after the Boston incident and its effective
use and communication success. It is our
hope that all community partners will message to their employees, attendees and
friends to follow @Indy_DPS, #IndyDPS
and help make Indianapolis an even safer
community.
Residents are encouraged to report any
suspicious activity or information within
the City of Indianapolis by using the
If You See something
Say Something ™ tip
line at 1-877-226-1026
[email protected]
TwitterisTHEfree“goto”real-timesearchtooltofindinformationandnewsthat
ishappeningrightnow. Youcansearchgoogleortwitter for #hashtags
ie:#boston
andcrowd-sourcedinformationwilldisplayimmediatepubliccomments
or by contacting your local law enforcement or public safety official.
Teams will continue review efforts to
expand service to our citizens with regard
to their safety. Director Riggs encourages
an active role from citizens by utilizing the
following DPS e-mail to offer input, praise
and suggestions. [email protected]
Feel free to contact us with any questions
We will update from the Twitter with
account
HASHTAG
@indy_dps
#indydps
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