A $22,500 contribution from Eli Lilly and construction partners will fund training and equipment for the Lebanon Fire Department’s new trench rescue technicians

By Ella Howell
The Lebanon Reporter

LEBANON, Ind. — The Lebanon Fire Department received a donation of $22,500 last week to launch a new trench rescue program, and Fire Chief Chuck Batts said the money will really help expand the department’s capabilities.

The money came from public safety partners at Eli Lilly and Company, FLUOR, F.A. Wilhelm Construction, Freitag and IEI and will cover tuition costs and equipment for LFD’s newly certified Trench Rescue technicians.

| WEBINAR: The command blueprint: Build the system, lead the fireground

Those companies are working on large construction sites in Boone County’s LEAP Lebanon Research and Innovation District. Nationwide, 373 people died in trenching accidents in the United States from 2017-2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 80% of those deaths occured in the construction industry, the agency reported.

LFD hosted a trench rescue certification class at the end of October when first responders from the Lebanon and the Whitestown Fire departments spent the week in hands-on training.

Advanced Rescue Solutions led the five-day class to teach skills needed to perform trench rescue safely and effectively.

Representatives from each donor agency met Thursday at LFD Station 211 for a check presentation as Lilly’s Lebanon Fire Chief Jeff Butz handed the large check over to Batts.

Batts said they look forward to strengthening community partnerships to improve and expand the services first responders are able to provide.

It was highlighted that this contribution will help enhance the department’s ability to respond to specialized emergencies throughout Boone County.

Colts linemen Danny Pinter and Matt Goncalves and Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra are raising funds for the NFFF and FRCE

November 25, 2025 08:33 AM

 · 

The union representing New York City firefighters is calling for a full investigation after officials uncovered documents on Ground Zero health hazards that the city had long claimed did not exist

November 24, 2025 12:29 PM

Northampton Captain Michael Booke suffered a cardiovascular event during a water rescue training course

November 24, 2025 09:28 AM

 · 

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has awarded scholarships, with tuition assistance prioritized for students pursuing STEM and public safety degrees

November 24, 2025 08:25 AM

 · 

© 2025 The Lebanon Reporter (Lebanon, Ind.).
Visit www.reporter.net.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ImageTrend’s listing confirms that its test environment is compliant with NIST 800-53

November 05, 2025 05:05 PM