Governor Pence Announces FEMA Grant of Nearly $1.6 Million to Salem Community Schools; Tornado Safe Room to be Constructed for Elementary School  

INDIANAPOLIS − Governor Mike Pence today announced a federal award of $1,592,420 to Salem Community Schools for construction of a safe room at Bradie Shrum Elementary School in Salem, Indiana.

“Tornadoes and storms regularly batter Indiana,” said Governor Pence. “This project in Salem will help protect students, teachers, staff and visitors by providing them with a secure area to seek shelter during severe weather. Hoosier families and students deserve a safe environment to learn and grow. I appreciate the work among the local, state and federal personnel who collaborated to bring this grant funding to fruition.”

“We are honored to have the opportunity to create a model tornado-safe area at Bradie Shrum Elementary,” said Dr. Lynn Reed, Superintendent of Salem Community Schools. “Living in an area that is prone to tornadic activity and having a personal connection to the 2012 destruction of Henryville, I believe new or remodeled schools should be built to these FEMA specifications. This structure will bring our district goal of a ‘safe school’ into reality.  It will not only provide a safer environment for students, but it will help spread awareness for the destructive power of tornadoes and other severe weather.”

The grant came from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and was announced through the FEMA Region V Office in Chicago.

“The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “The construction of this safe room will protect the lives of vulnerable citizens by providing a secure location to seek shelter from tornadoes and other high-wind events.”

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security administers the grant from FEMA to Salem Community Schools.

The total eligible cost of the project is $2,123,228. FEMA will pay 75 percent, which is the $1,592,420. Salem