June, 2026
United Way Northwest Indiana says it is partnering with the MAAC Foundation to support the upcoming Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Course running Mondays and Thursdays from June 15 through August 1, 2026. Through the partnership, United Way Northwest Indiana will cover a portion of the program cost, helping make the training more accessible to community members interested in emergency response and public safety careers.
May, 2026
In Valparaiso, the MAAC Foundation recently celebrated the graduation of its Winter 2026 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Academy. Throughout the academy, graduates completed rigorous coursework, hands-on medical skills training, and realistic emergency response scenarios designed to prepare them for the challenges of serving their communities as emergency medical professionals, the foundation said.
February, 2026
he MAAC Foundation, a first responder training campus in Valparaiso, announced that it has been awarded $500,000 in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 funds from the Northwest Indiana Forum.
The MAAC Foundation has awarded $50,000 in grants through the S50 K9 Fund, providing financial support to first responder agencies to strengthen K9 units.
January, 2026
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) alumnus Stewart McMillan (B.S.,’77) has dedicated his life to making a difference and serving others. A former volunteer firefighter and fire chief, McMillan took over the leadership of Valparaiso, Ind.-based Task Force Tips Inc. from his father, before eventually establishing the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation.
December, 2025
The MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of its latest Fire Academy. The ceremony was held on Thursday, December 11 at Wheeler High School. This new class represents the continued commitment of the MAAC Foundation to support, prepare, and empower the next generation of first responders serving communities throughout the region.
The new Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy across from the MAAC Foundation in Valparaiso more than doubled its space to 21,000 square feet. The new facility will train recruits from more than 60 law enforcement agencies across northern Indiana, mostly from Northwest Indiana and the Michiana area.
Fifteen emergency medical technicians graduated from a joint program from MAAC Foundation and Northwest Health.
The newly minted EMTs graduated in a ceremony at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in Valparaiso. They learned lifesaving medical procedures, patient assessment, trauma care, emergency response techniques and composure under pressure during the program.
In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of the Summer 2025 Career Fire Academy. The ceremony was held on Friday, December 19, 2025 at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus. Students of this academy have been working hard and honing their skills as firefighters since the beginning of October.
November, 2025
The MAAC public safety training campus is growing again, this time with a new headquarters and indoor K9 training facility.
The Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation on Thursday evening celebrated two people whose commitment to public safety in Northwest Indiana has made an impact on the community.
October, 2025
The MAAC Foundation’s annual MAACabre Haunted Attraction is back and more terrifying than ever, featuring 38 spine-chilling rooms, new scares, and a good cause behind every scream.
The MAAC Foundation will build a new headquarters and expand its training campus in Valparaiso.
September, 2025
Serving as grand marshal this year is Stewart McMillan, founder and board member of the MAAC Foundation. The Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation, based in Valparaiso, develops training opportunities for firefighters, police officers and EMS through classroom and practical application programs.
August, 2025
The MAAC Foundation has announced Nicole Gladstone as its new president and CEO. Gladstone will assume leadership of the first-responder training campus on Sept. 1.
Gladstone will oversee operations and strategic initiatives of the MAAC Foundation, a nonprofit training campus for firefighters, EMS, law enforcement and K-9 units.
The MAAC Foundation First Responding Training Campus is proud to announce the 6th Annual First Responder Appreciation & Demonstration Day (FRADD), scheduled for Saturday, September 13th. This highly anticipated event will take place from 9 AM to 1 PM Central at the MAAC campus.
June, 2025
In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation announced the graduation of the newest Volunteer Fire Academy class. The graduation ceremony took place at Friday evening at Wheeler High School, honoring the hard work, dedication, and commitment of 40 new volunteer firefighters representing departments across Northwest Indiana.
The MAAC Foundation, in partnership with Porter County Career and Technical Center, recently graduated its seventh Fire and Rescue Academy class.
May, 2025
The MAAC Foundation, in partnership with Porter County Career and Technical Center (PCCTC), proudly announces the graduation of the 2025 class of the Fire and Rescue High School Academy. The graduation ceremony took place last night at the Heroes’ Hangout building on the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in Valparaiso.
In Valparaiso, the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus, in partnership with Northwest Health, announces the graduation of 18 new Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students.
The Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) awarded $163,385 in grants to 24 local nonprofit organizations as part of its spring Community Fund grant cycle. This includes $5,000 to support the expansion of mental health initiative programming for first responders
The Crossroads Chamber recently hosted their 5th Annual Business Excellence Awards ceremony and celebrated its 15th anniversary. This year’s Business Excellence Awards winners included: Community Volunteer: Phil Griffith, The MAAC Foundation
In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation recently announced that 15 new firefighters will graduate from the Career Fire Academy. at 6 p.m. May 2 at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in Valparaiso
April, 2025
“First responders face incredible challenges every day, often carrying the weight of those experiences long after the call is over. The strategies shared at this conference support our mission to equip first responders with the tools and resilience to serve our communities,” said Celina Weatherwax, President and CEO of the MAAC Foundation. “At the MAAC, we believe caring for the mental health of those who protect us is just as important as their physical training.”
The Multi Agency Academic Cooperative is working to help address mental health among first responders.
Hypervigilance and situational awareness are just two of the points instructors offered to women and girls in a self-defense class at the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative on a recent Friday evening.
February, 2025
The Multi-Agency Academic Cooperative Foundation (MAAC) recently awarded $50,000 to nine local police departments, including La Porte police, in an effort to strengthen their K9 units with updated equipment, vehicle modification, and access to elite training programs.
January, 2025
Police dogs in Northwest Indiana got a $60,000 boost in the first round of funding through a new MAAC Foundation K9 grant program.
The City of Valparaiso is inviting the community to attend the Valparaiso Community Conference on Thursday, April 17, 2025, noon to 5:00 pm at the Harre Union, Valparaiso University.
December, 2024
Thirty-one recruits have graduated from the MAAC Foundation's Fire Academy.
November, 2024
Split second video scenarios in a high-tech law enforcement classroom setting is among the survival training techniques that can save the lives of officers and the public. The facility is designed to give first responders the best chance in the worst-case scenarios.
Geer heads up the sessions at the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative or MAAC, a nonprofit first responder training facility tucked away in Valparaiso, Indiana.
"Because if something goes bad, people aren't going to rise to the occasion, they're going to fall to the level of their training." Geer said the campus offers a safe space to run through worst case scenarios.
The MAAC Foundation is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Audrey Govert, who, starting December 1, 2024, will serve as only the 6th female firefighter to join the Valparaiso Fire Department. Audrey’s journey from MAAC Facilities Technician to firefighter and EMT is a testament to her hard work, determination, and passion for helping others.
October, 2024
Employees of Associated Pediatricians, KidWorks, and the MAAC Foundation handed out goodies — stickers, goldfish crackers, glow sticks, and, of course, candy — to thousands of children.
MAAC Foundation Opens S50 K9 fund application process
MAACabre Haunted House promises ‘Childhood Nightmares’
Propane-fueled flames soared at a simulated plane crash, at one point spiraling into a firenado. A fire crew from the nearby airport arrived first, spraying foam on the flames.
September, 2024
The MAAC Foundation First Responding Training Campus is proud to announce the 5th Annual First Responder Appreciation & Demonstration Day (FRADD), scheduled for September 14, 2024. This highly anticipated event will take place from 9 AM to 2 PM CST at the MAAC campus.
In all of these scenarios, the training first responders go through at the MAAC is often the difference between life and death.
The MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of 14 new Emergency Medical Technician students.
Highlights of this year's FRADD day included some 83 events including helicopter landings, first responder and K9 demonstrations, fire department water rescues, a fire and rescue kids challenge course and hands only CPR training.
August, 2024
Bill Hanna was honored as outstanding public servant of the year by the MAAC Foundation at Thursday’s second annual awards dinner.
Former Valparaiso Fire Chief Phil Griffith was named as volunteer of the year, the first time the award was given.
“The MAAC Foundation’s commitment to providing de-escalation training underscores our dedication to fostering safer environments for both professionals and the communities they serve,” says MAAC President and CEO Celina Weatherwax.
July, 2024
The MAAC Foundation First Responding Training Campus is proud to announce the 5th Annual First Responder Appreciation & Demonstration Day (FRADD), scheduled for September 14, 2024. This highly anticipated event will take place from 9 AM to 2 PM CST at the MAAC campus.
The MAAC Foundation campus in Valparaiso was hit hard, said Peter Krivas, director of marketing and communications for the MAAC Foundation. The campus is a training ground for first responders.