FRADD 2026 Severe Weather Update

FRADD 2026 CANCELED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER

We are devastated to share that, after consultation with the National Weather Service and Porter County Emergency Management, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel today’s First Responder Appreciation & Demonstration Day.

FRADD was planned to be a rain-or-shine event, and we were prepared for rain. Unfortunately, the forecasted conditions, particularly the threat of lightning and severe weather, create public safety concerns that we simply cannot ignore. The safety of our attendees, participating first responders, volunteers, vendors and staff has to come first.

An incredible amount of work has gone into preparing for today, and more than 60 departments, agencies and organizations were ready to join us on campus. We know how much our community looks forward to FRADD, and we are absolutely devastated that we cannot welcome everyone today.

To every first responder, volunteer, sponsor, vendor, partner and community member who has supported this event: thank you. We are incredibly grateful for you, and we are so sorry that circumstances beyond anyone’s control have brought us to this decision.

Please help us spread the word that FRADD is canceled today, Saturday, September 19. Thank you for understanding and for continuing to support the MAAC Foundation and our first responders.

Where Come

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Be A Supporter of First Responders

The MAAC Foundation will build a new headquarters and expand its training campus in Valparaiso.

Building the Future of First Responder Training at the MAAC

We are thrilled to announce an expansion to the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in the form of a large, dual-purpose building: a new two-story MAAC HQ and an adjoined one-story K9/first responder training building, Kathryn Hall. Kathryn Hall honors Kathryn McMillan, whose generous donation has made this additional training space possible. This innovative development will address our current space limitations and strengthen our commitment to supporting first responders.

The new MAAC Headquarters, made possible by the generosity of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, will feature more classrooms and skill-training rooms to support firefighters, EMS professionals, and law enforcement officers as well as additional expanded office space to accommodate its growing team and partnerships. These enhancements will allow the MAAC to host more courses, workshops, and practical simulations that strengthen responder readiness and interagency collaboration.