Knox County Emergency Management Agency

10/25/2026

🚂 BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMA

WHEN THE RAILROADS CHANGED KNOX COUNTY — A LOOK BACK AT OUR TRANSPORTATION HISTORY

Long before interstate highways, modern trucking, and today’s transportation systems, the sound of steam locomotives echoed across Knox County.

Railroads played an important role in shaping our communities, supporting agriculture, transporting coal, moving manufactured goods, and connecting local residents to destinations across Indiana and the nation.

But did you know that Knox County’s railroad history dates back more than 170 years?

🚂 THE ARRIVAL OF THE RAILROAD

During the early 1850s, rail transportation began transforming Knox County.

In March 1853, the Evansville & Crawfordsville Railroad’s predecessor had completed its route north through Vincennes to Terre Haute. This created important transportation connections for residents, businesses, and agricultural producers.

In 1855, residents gathered near Grouseland, the historic home of William Henry Harrison, to celebrate the opening of another railroad line. A remarkable photograph of that celebration survives today.

As railroad construction continued, Vincennes became a significant railroad junction, connecting routes traveling north, south, east, and west.

🏭 RAILROADS AND THE GROWTH OF KNOX COUNTY

The expansion of the railroad system helped transform the local economy.

Farmers gained improved access to markets for grain and agricultural products. Coal mining operations depended on rail transportation to move large quantities of coal. Local industries could receive raw materials and ship finished products farther and faster.

Railroads also provided employment for engineers, conductors, maintenance crews, freight handlers, and numerous supporting businesses.

🚉 THE DAYS OF PASSENGER TRAINS

Before automobiles became the primary means of personal transportation, railroad passenger service was an important part of everyday life.

Railroad depots were gathering places where families welcomed visitors, travelers departed for distant destinations, and communities maintained connections with the outside world.

The arrival of a passenger train was more than a transportation event. It was part of the daily rhythm of community life.

🚂 THE RAILROAD COMPANIES THAT SERVED OUR AREA

Over the years, several major railroad systems operated through Knox County, including predecessors and successors of the:

• Baltimore & Ohio Railroad

• Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad

• Pennsylvania Railroad

• New York Central Railroad

These railroads connected our area with major commercial and industrial centers throughout the Midwest and beyond.

🌉 BRIDGES, RIVERS, AND RAILROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

The Wabash River and surrounding waterways presented significant engineering challenges for early railroad builders.

Railroad bridges, embankments, rail yards, and crossings became essential pieces of the transportation network.

Many of the routes established generations ago continued to influence the development of our roads, industrial areas, and communities.

🚨 FROM RAILROAD HISTORY TO MODERN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Today, rail transportation remains an important part of our regional infrastructure.

From an emergency management perspective, railroads introduce unique planning considerations, including:

• Railroad crossing accidents and vehicle collisions

• Hazardous materials transportation incidents

• Derailments and potential evacuations

• Railroad bridge and infrastructure emergencies

• Coordination between fire departments, law enforcement, emergency medical services, railroad operators, and emergency management

Modern emergency preparedness requires understanding these transportation corridors, identifying potential hazards, and developing coordinated response plans.

WHY DOES THIS HISTORY MATTER?

The railroads helped build the Knox County we know today.

Understanding how our transportation systems developed also helps us recognize the infrastructure, risks, and responsibilities that remain part of protecting our communities.

At Knox County Emergency Management Agency, we believe understanding our past is an important part of preparing for our future.

🚂 DO YOU REMEMBER THE RAILROAD DAYS?

Did you or a family member work for the railroad? Do you remember passenger trains, old depots, steam locomotives, or railroad operations in Knox County?

We would love to hear your stories and see your historical photographs!

Preserving our local history helps preserve the story of Knox County.

—Emergency Manager
John Streeter
City of Vincennes, Knox County

10/23/2026

🚨 BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMA

The Future of FEMA, Disaster Response, and What It Means for Knox County

Across the nation, significant changes are being discussed regarding how emergencies and disasters will be managed, funded, and coordinated.

Recently, federal Homeland Security and FEMA leadership have emphasized a shift toward greater state and local responsibility for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

In simple terms, states and local communities may be expected to manage more disasters with less direct federal assistance.

While many of these changes remain proposals, the direction being discussed should get the attention of every community across America.

So, what does this mean for Knox County, Indiana?

When a major emergency occurs, our firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, dispatchers, public works departments, hospitals, and other local agencies are the first to respond.

That has always been the case.

However, managing a major disaster involves much more than responding to the initial emergency.

Behind the scenes, someone must coordinate resources, track expenses, arrange emergency sheltering, manage public information, request outside assistance, support critical infrastructure, and begin planning for recovery.

These responsibilities can continue for days, weeks, or even months.

This is where a County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) becomes critically important.

An Emergency Operations Center is not simply another government office or meeting room.

It is the central coordination facility where emergency management personnel, public safety agencies, government officials, utilities, healthcare representatives, and other essential partners work together to support disaster operations.

A properly equipped EOC provides:

• A central location for coordinating major emergencies and disasters.

• Reliable communications and information sharing between agencies.

• Resource management and coordination with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

• Emergency sheltering, evacuation, and mass care coordination.

• Disaster documentation, financial tracking, and recovery planning.

• Continuity of government operations during emergencies.

• Space for emergency planning, training, and exercises before disaster strikes.

Here is the challenge facing Knox County.

Knox County currently does not have a dedicated, purpose-built County Emergency Operations Center capable of supporting the full range of extended, multiagency disaster operations.

Our emergency management personnel and public safety partners continue to plan, coordinate, and respond using the resources and facilities available.

But there is an important difference between making operations work with what we have and having the infrastructure necessary to sustain a major disaster response.

Consider a significant tornado, widespread flooding, a hazardous materials emergency, a prolonged winter storm, or an event that disrupts communications and critical infrastructure.

Now consider managing several of those challenges simultaneously.

If federal disaster assistance becomes more limited, local coordination, documentation, financial accountability, and the ability to sustain operations become even more important.

A dedicated Emergency Operations Center is not a luxury. It is an investment in preparedness, coordination, and the protection of our community.

The discussion surrounding FEMA’s future should serve as an opportunity for local governments everywhere to evaluate their emergency management capabilities.

Do we have the facilities, communications, staffing, equipment, and resources necessary to manage a disaster when outside assistance may be delayed or limited?

That is a question worth asking before the next emergency occurs.

At Knox County EMA, our mission remains the same: preparing for emergencies, supporting our response agencies, protecting our communities, and helping Knox County recover when disaster strikes.

Because when disaster happens, the first responsibility for protecting our community begins right here at home.

Knox County Emergency Management Agency

Preparedness • Coordination • Response • Recovery

—Emergency Manager
John Streeter
City of Vincennes, Knox County

10/22/2026

10/22/2026

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMA

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE — DIFFERENT LEVELS OF TRAINING, ONE COMMON MISSION!

When a hazardous materials emergency occurs, whether it’s a chemical spill, overturned tanker, industrial accident, or dangerous gas release, specially trained responders must work together to protect lives, property, and the environment.

But did you know that hazardous materials responders have different levels of training and responsibilities?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) establishes responder competencies through NFPA 470 — Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders.

Let’s take a look behind the scenes!

🔹 LEVEL 1 — AWARENESS

Recognize the hazard and call for help.

Awareness-level responders are trained to recognize hazardous materials, identify warning signs and placards, protect themselves, and notify the appropriate resources. They do not attempt to control the release.

🔹 LEVEL 2 — OPERATIONS

Protect people and prevent the incident from escalating.

Operations-level responders perform defensive actions such as establishing isolation zones, controlling access, protecting nearby populations, and supporting containment and decontamination.

Additional mission-specific training may qualify responders for specialized decontamination, air monitoring, and other defensive operations.

🔹 LEVEL 3 — TECHNICIAN

Specialized training to control hazardous materials releases.

Hazardous Materials Technicians are trained to identify chemicals, evaluate hazards, use specialized detection equipment, and perform offensive actions to control or stop a release.

Their work may require chemical protective suits and specialized respiratory protection.

🔹 LEVEL 4 — SPECIALIST

Advanced expertise for complex hazardous materials incidents.

Specialists possess additional technical knowledge of particular chemicals, hazards, or industrial processes. They provide advanced guidance and support to technicians and incident commanders.

🔹 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT COMMANDER

Coordinating the response and protecting personnel.

Incident Commanders are trained to manage hazardous materials emergencies, establish incident objectives, coordinate resources, and ensure responder and public safety.

🚒 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE IN KNOX COUNTY

Knox County has specialized hazardous materials capabilities available locally.

The City of Vincennes Fire Department and Vincennes Township Fire Department both maintain Level A Hazardous Materials Response Teams, equipped and trained for specialized chemical emergency operations.

Level A chemical protection provides the highest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection when hazardous conditions require it.

Other local fire departments provide essential hazardous materials decontamination support, helping remove dangerous contaminants from exposed individuals and emergency responders while preventing contamination from spreading.

Each department plays an important role in a coordinated response.

📚 TRAINING, TRAINING, AND MORE TRAINING!

Hazardous materials response requires classroom instruction, hands-on skills, practical exercises, and continuing training.

Depending on their qualifications, responders train in chemical identification, protective equipment, air monitoring, containment, leak control, decontamination, and incident command.

Federal OSHA requirements establish minimum training competencies, with additional qualifications required for more advanced responsibilities. Responders must also complete annual refresher training or demonstrate continued competency.

🤝 WHERE DOES KNOX COUNTY EMA FIT IN?

Knox County EMA works alongside our fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, industry partners, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to coordinate hazardous materials preparedness, planning, training, exercises, and emergency resources.

Our goal is to ensure that the right people, equipment, and resources are available when an emergency occurs.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Not every firefighter needs to enter a hazardous environment. From the first arriving responder to specialized technicians, decontamination teams, and incident commanders, every assignment requires training and teamwork.

Different responsibilities. Specialized training. One mission — protecting Knox County!

That’s another look Behind the Scenes with Knox County EMA, where preparation and partnerships make a difference!

—Emergency Manager
John Streeter
City of Vincennes, Knox County

10/21/2026

🚨 BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMA

📱 Your Cell Phone Could Save Your Life — Are Your Emergency Alerts Turned On?

Did you know that your smartphone has a built-in emergency warning system that can alert you to dangerous situations occurring in your area?

This week, we’re going behind the scenes with Knox County Emergency Management Agency to highlight an important public safety feature available on Apple iPhones and Android smartphones.

📡 What Are Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)?

Wireless Emergency Alerts are short, potentially lifesaving messages sent by authorized government agencies through participating cellular networks.

These alerts can warn residents about:

🌪️ Tornadoes and dangerous weather

🌊 Flash flooding and other immediate hazards

☣️ Hazardous material emergencies

🚨 Serious threats to public safety

👶 AMBER Alerts involving abducted children

🇺🇸 National emergency notifications

Unlike text messages or subscription-based notification services, WEA messages are broadcast to compatible cellular devices within designated warning areas.

There is no app to download, no registration required, and no subscription fee.

🍎 APPLE iPHONE USERS

To review your emergency alert settings:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Notifications.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the screen.
4. Find Government Alerts.
5. Review your AMBER Alerts, Emergency Alerts, Public Safety Alerts, and Test Alerts settings, where available.
6. Turn the available switches ON or OFF according to your preferences.

NEWER iPHONE SAFETY FEATURES

Some newer iPhones also offer Enhanced Safety Alerts, including:

• Earthquake Alerts

• Imminent Threat Alerts

• Improve Alert Delivery

These supplemental Apple features can provide additional warnings using available Wi-Fi and cellular data connections.

To access them, go to:

Settings → Notifications → Enhanced Safety Alerts

We recommend keeping emergency warning features enabled whenever possible.

🤖 ANDROID USERS — INCLUDING SAMSUNG AND GOOGLE PIXEL

Android smartphones also provide built-in Wireless Emergency Alerts.

To review your settings:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Notifications.
3. Find Wireless Emergency Alerts.
4. Review the available warning categories.
5. Turn the available alert types ON or OFF according to your preferences.

Depending on your phone, you may see:

• Extreme Threats

• Severe Threats

• AMBER Alerts

• Public Safety Messages

• Test Alerts

Some Android devices also provide separate earthquake and crisis notification features.

Important: Android menus may vary depending on the manufacturer, phone model, and software version. If you cannot locate the settings, use the search feature within your phone’s Settings menu and enter “Wireless Emergency Alerts.”

⚠️ WHY DOES THIS MATTER IN KNOX COUNTY?

When severe weather or another dangerous situation develops, every second matters.

An emergency warning received on your phone may give you valuable time to move to shelter, avoid a dangerous area, or take protective action.

Knox County EMA encourages everyone to take a few minutes today to review their smartphone’s emergency notification settings.

Remember, not every emergency will generate a Wireless Emergency Alert, and delivery can be affected by device compatibility, cellular coverage, and network conditions. Always maintain multiple ways to receive emergency information.

📢 OUR RECOMMENDATION

Keep your emergency alerts turned ON. Help family members, friends, and especially older residents check their devices.

A few minutes spent checking your settings today could make a significant difference during tomorrow’s emergency.

Preparedness begins before the emergency.

Knox County Emergency Management Agency

Working together for a safer, better-prepared Knox County.

—Emergency Manager
John Streeter
City of Vincennes, Knox County

10/20/2026

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMA

Preparing Today to Protect Tomorrow!

Emergency preparedness isn’t just about responding when something happens. It’s about building relationships, developing plans, and practicing those plans before an emergency occurs.

Today, Knox County Emergency Management Agency, alongside the Freelandville Fire Department, worked with the staff of Freelandville Community Home on an emergency preparedness exercise.

Long-term care facilities present unique challenges during emergencies. Protecting residents who may have mobility limitations, medical needs, or require additional assistance takes careful planning, coordination, and teamwork.

Exercises like this provide an opportunity to strengthen communication, evaluate emergency procedures, and improve coordination between facility personnel and local emergency responders.

One of the most important parts of emergency preparedness is recognizing that every facility is different. Understanding those differences before an emergency can make a significant difference when every second counts.

Knox County EMA appreciates the commitment of Freelandville Community Home and the Freelandville Fire Department to strengthening preparedness and protecting some of our community’s most vulnerable residents.

Preparedness is a partnership, and that partnership starts long before the emergency.

Knox County EMA — Planning, Preparing, and Protecting Our Communities.

—Emergency Manager
John Streeter
City of Vincennes, Knox County

10/16/2026

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KNOX COUNTY EMA

Planning Today to Protect Lives Tomorrow

Today, Knox County Emergency Management had the opportunity to work alongside Vincennes University Police Chief Daugherty and university personnel to identify and evaluate designated severe weather refuge areas within the new Center for Health Sciences and Learning.

While visiting this impressive new facility, we also had the opportunity to see some of the amazing technology and educational resources Vincennes University is bringing to its students. It is exciting to see these investments in education and the future of our community.

But behind the scenes, another important part of operating a modern educational facility is taking place — emergency preparedness and life safety planning.

Why Designate Severe Weather Refuge Areas Before a Storm?

When severe weather threatens, especially tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds, there may be only minutes to take protective action.

Identifying appropriate refuge areas ahead of time allows university police, faculty, staff, and students to respond quickly and with greater confidence.

Advance planning helps accomplish several important objectives:

* Identify safer locations: Evaluate interior rooms, corridors, and other potential refuge areas based on building construction, location, and exposure to exterior walls, windows, and other hazards.
* Reduce confusion: Ensure faculty, staff, and students know where to go when severe weather warnings are issued.
* Improve response time: Eliminate the need to make critical sheltering decisions while dangerous weather is approaching.
* Plan for accessibility: Consider the needs of individuals with disabilities or others who may require assistance.
* Support emergency communications: Establish clear procedures for notifying building occupants and directing them to designated refuge areas.
* Strengthen coordination: Ensure university police, emergency management, and responding public safety agencies understand the facility’s emergency procedures.

An important distinction is that a designated severe weather refuge area is not necessarily a FEMA-rated safe room or engineered storm shelter. However, identifying and evaluating the most appropriate available areas within a building is an important part of reducing risk.

Emergency Management Is About More Than Responding to Disasters

Much of the work performed by Knox County EMA happens long before an emergency occurs.

Walking through facilities, evaluating potential hazards, coordinating with public safety partners, reviewing emergency procedures, and helping organizations develop practical response plans are all essential parts of our mission.

The middle of a tornado warning is not the time to decide where hundreds of people should seek protection. Those decisions need to be made well before the storm arrives.

We appreciate Vincennes University Police Chief Daugherty and the university’s faculty and staff for their commitment to preparedness and for allowing Knox County EMA to assist with this important planning effort.

Preparedness is not always something the public sees, but it is one of the most important things we do behind the scenes.

Knox County Emergency Management Agency
Preparedness • Coordination • Response • Recovery

—Emergency Manager
John Streeter
City of Vincennes, Knox County

10/15/2026

Knox Co, IN Alert

Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued October 15 at 7:41PM EDT until October 15 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
TORIND

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
East central Knox County in southwestern Indiana...
Central Daviess County in southwestern Indiana...

* Until 815 PM EDT.

* At 740 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles west of Washington, or 9 miles north of
Petersburg, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
Washington, Monroe City, Wheatland, and Montgomery.
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
http://www.weather.gov

10/15/2026

Knox Co, IN Alert

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 15 at 7:27PM EDT until October 15 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
SVRIND

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Eastern Knox County in southwestern Indiana...
Daviess County in southwestern Indiana...

* Until 815 PM EDT.

* At 726 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles west of
Washington, or 9 miles east of Vincennes, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Washington, Bicknell, Loogootee, Odon, Elnora, Monroe City,
Wheatland, Plainville, Montgomery, Cannelburg, Alfordsville, West
Boggs Lake, and Glendale Fishery.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
http://www.weather.gov