Aug. 2-8 is Emergency Management Agency Appreciation Week

Aug. 2 - 8 is Emergency Management Agency Appreciation Week in Indiana, recognizing the essential work of emergency managers who support Indiana communities year‑round.

That dedication was on full display during the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s (IDHS) Operation Broken Transmission, a full‑scale exercise conducted at three sites across central Indiana. The exercise challenged local emergency management agencies to maintain operations and adapt during a complete communications failure. Emergency managers from multiple districts showcased exceptional skill, collaboration and problem‑solving throughout the event.

"Emergency managers are the foundation of life-saving emergency response", said Mary Moran, IDHS' Director of the Office of Emergency Management. "Disasters follow no schedule, and emergency managers must stay ready and diligent. They put in long hours, make tough calls and step away from their families to keep Hoosiers safe."

Emergency management agencies provide critical support, tools and resources that help communities prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate hazards.

Throughout the week, IDHS will recognize emergency managers on social media. Follow along to read their stories.

A series of educational videos featuring a local emergency manager and the IDHS executive director is also available on YouTube.

IDHS encourages all Hoosiers to learn about the emergency management agency (EMA) in their county and consider how they can thank their EMAs or volunteer to be of assistance.