Grant helps fund community outreach project
Tipp City Fire and Emergency Services works not only to respond to illnesses and injuries but to educate community members about how to prevent injuries and deal with an emergency.
The city department’s education efforts are coordinated by Heidi Jones, an EMS lieutenant and community outreach coordinator.
Among the offerings is a project called A Matter of Life 2025 Community Outreach, which received a $1,988 grant in March from the Tipp City Foundation.
“It is our mission to provide the highest quality emergency services to all who call upon us for help and to promote goodwill in our community. These initiatives help us to provide education that saves lives. We want to actively participate in preventing tragedies before they occur and give our citizens the ability to be prepared if they do,” Jones said.
For many years, fire prevention has been at the forefront of public safety education. The tremendous efforts behind these initiatives have paid off, resulting in a significant decrease in fires, countless lives saved and stronger, more resilient communities, Jones said. Fire prevention programs have proven that proactive education and outreach can truly change outcomes, she added.
“In more recent years, we have come to recognize that the same proactive approach must be applied to medical emergencies.
Data accumulated by the American Heart Association (AHA) clearly demonstrates that bystander CPR saves lives. Within our own community, we have numerous testimonials that underscore this fact — real stories of lives saved because someone was prepared to act,” Jones said.
With the grant, some of the equipment and training material used has been replaced, specifically, junior firefighter gear and infant CPR mannequins.
The commitment to prevention has expanded far beyond CPR. EMS outreach now includes:
First Aid Training
Bike Helmet Education
Seat Belt Safety
Car Seat Installation Programs
Stop the Bleed Education
Emergency Preparedness Programs – we provide what you need to have to grab and go in case of emergency. We provide a bag with some basics along with a suggested list to put in the bag. The Emergency To Go Bag program was funded by the foundation in 2024 through a $2,600 grant.
Vial of Life Program - a document that speaks for you in case you can’t speak for yourself. It hangs on the refrigerator. Our providers are trained to look for this. The Vial of Life program was funded by the foundation in 2022 with a $789 grant.
Babysitting Safety Classes (coming soon)
Last year more than 2,000 residents of Tipp City and Monroe Township were reached through these education programs. This year, it is hoped that between 2,500 and 5,000 can be reached.
In 2025, Tipp City Foundation will award up to $18,000 for projects not covered by the Tipp Fire/EMS annual budget. Primarily the grants are made through the Safety-First Fund of the foundation, established by Chief Steve Kessler before his death.
Those interested in a course need to call 937-607-9082 or email pubedoutreach@tippcity.net.
Information on course schedules can be found on the City of Tipp City website, Tipp City Professional Firefighters Local #5491 Facebook group, Tipp-Monroe Fire Association Facebook group and the Tippecanoe Gazette.