Putting your donations to good work.
IPSF leverages financial and in-kind resources to support a variety of programs, making significant impact on our city’s first responders and the public safety of our community. The IPSF Board of Directors is committed to furthering its work through these programs, with continual process improvement and data-collection for program analysis.
Graffiti Abatement Unit
Enhancing pride in Indy’s neighborhoods: one square foot at a time.
Launched in 2015, the Graffiti Abatement Unit (GAU) is an innovative, public-private partnership between the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Indy Public Safety Foundation, EmployIndy, MIBOR REALTOR® Association and RecycleForce. Since its inception, the GAU has removed over 100,000 square feet of graffiti – all of which at no cost to home or business owners.
The GAU Crew is led by a light duty IMPD police officer, who provides project direction, support and mentorship. The GAU crew is staffed by RecycleForce, a social enterprise delivering comprehensive and innovative recycling services in support of workforce training, development and job placement for formerly incarcerated men and women transitioning back to society. Through a rotation with the GAU crew, participants learn valuable skills in inventory management, maintenance, painting and more.
IFD Fire Explorer Post
Engaging youth and developing future firefighters
Impact
25+
Youth ages 12 to 18 will participate in this unique learning experience.
$10,000
IPSF’s investment to provide uniforms, charter fees, training supplies and more.
Overview
Fire Exploring gives young people valuable insight into the fire service and public safety professions by offering hands-on activities as well as educational development opportunities. This insight we hope will help youth determine whether they desires to pursue a career in the fire service or other public safety professions. IFD is completely aware that all participants may not choose this career path; however, IFD recognizes that a robust Explorer program will produce positive contributions to the City and beyond. IFD has always strived to stay connected to the community we serve, whether its mitigating an emergency or serving the community by attending neighborhood functions that allow people to meet firefighters in non-stressful situations. Fire Exploring is an extension of that mission and it allows our department to promote positive public relations and enhance our role with the youth in our community.
IFD Chief Ernest V. Malone recognizes the impact of building high-trust relationships with youth and providing career path mentorship. Under his leadership, the Indy Public Safety Foundation provided funding to re-activate and re-invigorate IFD’s Explorer program. IFD has also significantly invested in the program’s re-activation by identifying and training seven (7) firefighters and civilian staff to help support the Post’s operation.
Celebrating Our Differences
A Proactive Approach to Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
Under the leadership of Chief Ernest Malone, IFD set out to create a custom-tailored training program that educated firefighters and civilian employees on the importance of celebrating differences in individuals, whether race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or other. IPSF helped fund the development of the training curriculum, as well as the training of the current IFD firefighters and employees. Following the initial agency-wide training, IFD integrated the training into their fire training academy and budget.
Impact
$60,000
IPSF’s investment in the development, planning and implementation of the agency-wide training
1,400
firefighters and civilian personnel were training in this advanced diversity and inclusion training.
Frontline Supervisor Training
Preparing leaders of the future
Overview
With the assistance of OneAmerica’s Human Resource team, sworn and civilian employees of IMPD, IFD, IEMS, Animal Care & Control (ACC) and other DPS staff developed a cutting edge curriculum and training program. This training provided effective, relevant and consistent supervisor/management training for frontline supervisors, which will empower them to motivate, evaluate, resolve conflicts, better communicate, manage change and plan for the future.
The Frontline Supervisor Training provided new, cutting edge training in leadership and management to over 600 first responders from all first responder agencies. This training was the first of its kinds to bring together supervisors from all agencies to receive uniform training. This ensured that supervisors throughout public safety agencies would all be following the same protocols and procedures, but also developed important inter-agency relationships.
Outcomes
Over 600
frontline supervisors from IMPD, IFD, IEMS and more received this advanced leadership training experience.
$25,000
was invested to develop and implement this important initiative.
Emergency Incident Needs Fund
Supporting those who serve and protect
During large scale emergency incidents that span a long period of time - such as the March 2019 grain silo rescue - first responders have vital needs such as food, water and relief from hot or cold temperatures. To ensure first responders are able to focus their highly-qualified skills on rescue and recovery, IPSF established the “Emergency Incident Needs Fund.” With one call, IPSF can activate this fund to provide food, water or other needs.
Investment
$7,500
invested to establish the fund
IMPD Cadets: 18 to 22 Year Olds
Inspiring the next generation of IMPD officers
Program Overview
With the generous support of the Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, IPSF and IMPD re-launched the IMPD Cadet program in 2017. Prior to this time, IMPD did not have a consistent pipeline nor any opportunities to engage youth between the ages of 18 and 21 - the age when an individual is able to apply to be a police officer. The Cadet program fills this crucial gap, thus helping to reduce the loss of qualified candidates, especially amongst under-represented communities.
The IMPD Cadets are assigned to civilian roles within IMPD, giving them exposure to both internal and external audiences and preparing them for future careers as police officers. This provides an impactful value to IMPD in ensuring the administrative function of the agency continues to operate at optimal capacity. In addition, IMPD Cadets are offered opportunities for additional training such as Mental Health First Aid, conflict resolution and de-escalation, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, Trauma-Informed Care, InterAct (police reporting system), report-writing, physical fitness and more.
Making a Difference
“The IMPD Cadet Program was extremely valuable in providing me training, education, skill-building and support during my journey of becoming a police officer. I believe I am a more well-rounded police officer because of the experiences I gained in the program.”
Michael Graban, Former IMPD Cadet and Current IMPD Police Officer
Impact
3
Cadets have transitioned into careers in law enforcement
6
Cadets are in the pipeline or application process, which can take up to one (1) year
IMPD Junior Cadets: 12 to 18 Year Olds
Preparing youth for future careers in law enforcement and public service
The IMPD Explorer program was established in 1970 to give youth an opportunity to explore careers in law enforcement.
In 2019, IMPD and IPSF re-branded the IMPD Explorer program - changing the name to the IMPD Junior Cadet program and integrating it into the overall IMPD Cadet program. This established a cohesive pipeline for youth - especially from under-represented communities - who want to serve the City of Indianapolis as police officers. Junior Cadets learn vital life skills such as confidence, communication, de-escalation, service and more. They are also trained in law enforcement activities such as crowd control, traffic management and crisis management.
To learn more about the IMPD Junior Cadet program, please contact Officer Christine Mannina at [email protected].
The Numbers
35 to 40
active Junior Cadets train weekly at the IMPD Training Academy.
3,000 hours
of volunteer service are provided annually by the IMPD Junior Cadets through details and community events.
IMPD Employee Recognition Banquet (ERB)
Celebrating the efforts of the incredible IMPD
Overview
The Employee Recognition Banquet is a valued tradition where officers and civillian employees are nominated and awarded by their peers for the courageous, dedicated, and impactful work they do for IMPD and the city.
Saying thanks.
Over 140
officers and civilian employees have been recognized as ERB winners since 2012
Over $100,000
has been invested by IPSF and IMPD to support this important initiative.
Indy Police Athletic & Activities League | Indy PAL
Using sport and activity to build relationships between police and youth
The original community policing model, the Indy Police Athletic League (PAL) was established in 1940. The original mission of Indy PAL utilized police officers as coaches and mentors for youth sports. “Activities” was added within the past decade to ensure the program utilized athletic and non-athletic programs to build meaningful relationships between officers and under-appreciated youth.
In January 2019, at the request of IMPD, IPSF assumed administrative oversight and financial control of the Indy PAL program. Since that time, IMPD and IPSF have made significant investments in the program and facility. Indy PAL provides the majority of its programming at JTV Hill Center, an Indy Parks facility.
For more information about the Indy PAL program, contact Indy PAL Director Lea Gurnell at [email protected].
Impact
$100,000+
in resources developed by IPSF invested in this impactful program
500+
youth participate in one of the many Indy PAL sports or activities
Community-Based AED
Providing access and training for bystander CRP and defibrillation
Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) continues to claim millions of lives worldwide. Almost a quarter of all OHCA present with potentially “shockable” rhythms. While resuscitation science has continued to improve the prehospital treatment of cardiac arrest, the vast majority of cardiac arrests occur at home or in the general public.
Without bystander CPR and AED use, the chances of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) drops dramatically. This is accentuated in lower socioeconomic areas putting these areas at high risk. The IndyCARES AED program was established through a grant from Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Access to Defibrillators program. To date, 48 public access defibrillators have been placed and over 2,700 individuals have been trained on hands only CPR and AED use.
While the majority of the project’s funding was through HHS, IPSF provided supplemental funding to complete the placement of community-based AEDs as well as the necessary batteries and supplies to keep them operational.
Impact
48+
AEDs placed in publicly-accessible locations
2,700+
individuals trained on hands-only CRP and AED use
Investing In IT
Providing IEMS the equipment needed to improve special event response
The Indianapolis EMS Communications Van is used as a forward operations post on several public events throughout the year and is utilized by several agencies in addition to IEMS. The van is equipped with a camera and telescoping mast system that is no longer functional and cannot be repaired. IPSF funded the purchase and installation of a new mast and a camera system that will allow a video feed that is remotely accessible to decision makers from other concerned agencies on large scale events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Pride Festival, Brickyard 400, and so on.
There is no shortage of additional examples of the improved utility this camera system will provide to multiple agencies in Indianapolis and surrounding communities. Improved situational awareness allows for better decision making and this system will fill a void that we currently have in our capabilities.
Investment
$22,000
invested in the purchase and installation of a high-quality camera and mast
