The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Indiana National Guard will embark on a statewide tour beginning Wednesday to highlight their collaborative efforts to keep Hoosiers safe and respond to emergencies. Operation Force Multiplier will see the two agencies visiting 10 emergency districts across Indiana from Sept. 5 through Oct. 3. The statewide tour will kick off Wednesday at the Guard armory in Terre Haute. Each event will begin at 10 a.m. Most recently, the Indiana National Guard was deployed to help IDHS and local emergency management agencies respond to widespread flooding in February and March of 2018. The severity of floods resulted in local and state emergencies and ultimately a National Disaster Declaration by the President. The Guard operates year-round to protect Hoosiers and stands ready when needed when disaster strikes, said Col. Jeff Hackett of the Indiana National Guard. The town hall-style events will feature brief presentations by both agencies about their missions and priorities. In addition, a panel discussion will be held to discuss ways the agencies support one another, including examples of how this collaboration has benefited residents in the past. The events are geared toward public safety and local government officials, who may be tasked with requesting additional assistance from either IDHS or the National Guard to respond to local emergencies.
Operation Force Multiplier schedule (local):
Sept. 11, 1901 S. Kemble Ave., South Bend (District 2)
Sept. 18, 2501 E. 15th Ave, Gary (District 1)