We are open Monday - Friday, 9-4. Enter the SE corner of the building.
Operating as usual
Barry Kenneth Green, 64, AKA, Chopper.
of Indianapolis, passed away on May 24, 2017. He was born on December 6, 1952, in Indianapolis, IN to the late William and Helen Green. He served as a firefighter for 30 years and recently retired from the Indianapolis Fire Department. He was a 9/11 responder while serving on the Indiana Task Force 1. Barry loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
May 24, 1995.
Pvt. Ronald Carl Deer, 23, of Wayne Township Fire department.
Firefighter Deer was riding in an engine responding to a box alarm. While en route, the engine overturned. The raised roof separated from the cab causing Firefighter Deer and others to be ejected. Firefighter Deer died of his injuries, another firefighter was paralyzed, and others received minor injuries. The alarm turned out to be false.
He had just 18 months on the job.
May 13, 1994
John E. Dudgeon, "Jack" Ladder # 14 – Private, age 49
Died after a lengthy battle from throat cancer from his years of exposure on the job.
DOB: 02/05/1945
Appt: 04/02/1969
Badge #1049
May 6, 1958,
James R. Welch, aka: "Nobby", age 38,
Engine # 2 – Private,
Collapsed and died from smoke inhalation while searching for a victim at a residence fire at 2023 North Hovey Street.
He was found unconscious inside the home and could not be revived.
The house ended up being unoccupied.
Fire Station No. 2 in 1953.
DOB: 1/3/1920
Appt: 1/1/1948
Badge# 468
Buried at Washington Park Cemetery.
May 1st, 1932.
Lt. George F. Mueller,
City Fireman, Dies of Burns Lieut. George F. Mueller, 53 years old, of the Indianapolis fire department, died Sunday night from burns suffered several weeks ago when gasoline which he was putting into an automobile caught fire. The accident occurred at engine house No. 23, 1002 Udell street. Born in in Indianapolis, Lieut. Mueller had lived in the city all his life. He became a member of the fire department on May 16, 1907, and was promoted to lieutenant in charge of the repair shops. May 25, 1922.
DOB: July 13th, 1878
Appt: July 23, 1908
Badge 253
Mahlon C Dickson,
May 1st, 1923. E-13, Died of blood poisoning after being injured at the Big Four Freight Depot fire.
DOB: October 6th, 1880
Appointed February 28, 1912.
Badge # 305
Buried at Crown Hill.
Engineer Jeff Holt, 60, Engine 36, City Lawrence Fire Department.
Passed away on April 30, 2018. Just after completing his Work Performance Evaluation, he had a medical emergency. On scene personnel were unable to revive him.
Jeff was born November 24, 1957, in Joliet, Illinois to Dr. Donald and Marilyn Holt. He graduated from Benton Central High School in Indiana. He began his career at the Otterbein Fire Department, first as a firefighter, and later as an EMT, before joining the Purdue Fire Department in 1985. He left the fire department to pursue his career in music and but then returned to Indiana to attend paramedic training at Methodist Hospital in 1994. Jeff joined the Lawrence Fire Department in 1996 as a firefighter/ paramedic, and during his long career he served as an Engineer, Lieutenant, Division Chief of Training, Division Chief of EMS and Deputy Chief of Operations. He was currently assigned to the engine company at Station 36 and had recently submitted paperwork for his retirement. Outside of his successful fire department career, Jeff continued to pursue music and was the lead singer of several bands including the Rich Kids, Renegade, Midian, Illicit Affair, Winston Wolf, and most recently Paper Alley. During paramedic school he met and married the love of his life, Lindi. Together they shared almost 20 years of marriage and enjoyed their mutual love of music and rescuing special needs animals.
The Museum is open today from 11-4, Come visit our retired docents, Jerry and Jim, who have over 60 years of stories to tell between them.
Welcome FDIC 2023. Auto extrication training techinques demonstrated by O.B. Streeper of Emergency Squad Institute of Normal Illinois, 1972.
Spotted in the Video is, Larry Walker, Johnny Walker, Don Strietelmeier. Anyone else?
As FB continues to add more and more hoops to jump through in order to schedule a post. These two LODD's that were scheduled to publish Wednesday did not post. seems as though they are trying to fix something that never was broken.
Pvt. Irvin Pace, Fireman, Dies Fire Department Pvt. lrvin N. Pace. 45 years old. 1548 South Belmont Avenue, a member of the department 22 years, died yesterday of a heart attack at the department training school, 1435 West Michigan Street. Pvt. Pace was attending a promotional school when he became ill and died. He was a member of Engine Company 4, 1761 South West Street. During World War II, he served with the United States Army Rangers in Italy. He was a member of the West Indianapolis Masonic Lodge No. 669 and the International Fire Fighters Association. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Shirley Brothers Central Chapel. The funeral will be in Lincoln Memory Gardens. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Mary A. Pace; three daughters, Mrs. Sharon Sedam, Mrs. Patty Gray and Miss Mary Ellen Pace; his mother, Mrs. Myrtle Pace, and two brothers, Bernard and Russell Pace, all of Indianapolis, and two sisters, Mrs. Talsha Whitley, of Indianapolis and Mrs. Gloria Volz of Spencer. and five grandchildren.
1900 April 19 Mankin.
April 19, 1900 Frank E. Mankin, Age 31, Engine # 1, Private, died from complications causes from his leg being amputated. While on a fire at the clothing factory located at 13 North Senate Street on March 14, 1900, private Mankin received severe burns to his leg when a wall collapsed on him and three other fire fighters inside the factory trapping them. April 19, 1900 Frank E. Mankin, Age 31, Engine # 1, Private, died from complications causes from his leg being amputated. While on a fire at the clothing factory located at 13 North Senate Street on March 14, 1900, private Mankin received severe burns to his leg when a wall collapsed on him and three other fire fighters inside the factory trapping them.
Appt: 12/16/1899
Badge# 63
Buried: Simmons Cemetery, Jackson Township, Hancock County Indiana.
April 7th, 1903, Pvt. LOUIS RAFERT, Engine-3.
Louis Rafert, one of the firemen Injured in the Bowen-Merrill fire, died last night at his home on East Georgia street of consumption.
A wife and four minor children survive him. Rafert before being Injured in the Bowen-Merrlll fire was a member of engine company No. 3, and one of the best firemen on the force. He was on the roof of the building when it fell, and when taken from the ruins of the building was found to be seriously hurt.
He recovered after several months' confinement in the hospital and after he had regained his strength was put to work on the coal and supply wagon. He was able to do this work until 1896, when he was retired on a pension. (The Indianapolis journal, Volume 53, Number 98, 8 April 1903)
Buried at Crown hill
Badge # 60
April 8th, 1929,
Captain, August W. Albrecht.
Game-well division with the Indianapolis Fire Department, died three hours after leaving work of a Heart attack.
Appointed: May 3, 1901. (In Australia)
Buried at Crown hill Cemetery.
Badge # 197
Charles C. Haas Pvt. Engine 27
DOB:05/22/1917
Appt: 08/11/1942
Badge # 701
On April 8, 1945, on Okinawa, this Fire Department suffered its only fatality of World War II. The man was 2nd Lieutenant Charles C. Haas of the 184th Infantry's Cannon Co.
Charlie was well liked by all of us who had the privilege of working with him. He was appointed to the Department in Aug. 11, 1942, and subbed out of the 12's and later the 8's. On January 1, 1943, he was sent to the 27's Pumper, as a "Regular." He entered the service May 4, 1943, and had his Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY. After that he attended Officer's Training School at Fort Benning, Ga., and then left the States in February of 1945 eventually receiving an assignment with the 184th. Inf.
Here are excerpts from some of Charlie's letters: "I've really seen some wonderful sights. I've had nice train, plane, and boat rides." From his first destination, overseas, he wrote: "The weather here, (when it isn't raining, which it does twice daily and three times nightly), is wonderful. The temperature varies from 75 to 85, and, at night, it's cool enough to use a blanket. Whenever we get hungry, we can go over and pick some bananas, or pick up a coconut and drink the milk, or (102 points a can) eat a pineapple, raw!" Here are his words from the Philippine's: "I'm frying in the hot tropics. It rains here, every day. I've been soaked so much; I'm as wrinkled as a prune! This is a rough life over here. My men are wonderful -- they've made three beachheads, and they really know the ropes!" One can see, from these excerpts, that Charlie was able to take things as they came and make the most of them.
Not IFD of course but an interesting read about early American firefighting.
The photo above was taken in the early 1900's in Larkspur, circa 1910. The Larkspur Volunteer Fire Department is pictured pulling one of their hose carts along a dirt road.
Yesterday I met with Frosty Dillman who donated several things to the museum including these photos of the OLD 27's. She told me someone gave them to Steve on his birthday one year. I am guessing they are from the late 20's, early 30's.
Interview with Chief Patrick Nix filmed and conducted by Lieutenant Joel Harsin.
Date appointed 1958-08-25
Retirement date 2005-12-15
PASSED AWAY: 04/23/2019
Badge number 624
Name Nix, Patrick Edward, 1936-2019
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Steve Dillman.
In this episode I speak with Steve Dillman, retired IFD firefighter with an incredible career. We also talk about his history with cancer. Please enjoy the v...
Basil E. Reiss, Squad # 14 – Substitute Firefighter, died from his injuries sustained after Squad # 14 was ran off the road by another vehicle on March 13, 1941, at 30th Street and Northwestern Avenue while responding to residence fire at 1150 West 31st Street.
Buried at Washington Park East Cemetery.
(Son of Vollie Reis. 1923-1953.)
March 22, 1944
Herman N. Lewis, Age 56, Engine # 18 – Private, while detailed to Engine # 13, collapsed, and died from a heart attack while fighting a 2nd alarm building fire at 33 South Meridian Street at the Banner-White hill furniture company.
DOB: June 9, 1887.
Appointed: June 1, 1919.
Age 56.
Badge number, 189.
Buried at Floral Park Cemetery.
March 21, 1904.
Captain Albert C. Muerer
Appointed circa, 1873.
2nd Assistant Chief and Captain of Hook & Ladder Co. No. 2
Injured: March 17, 1890, Bowen-Merrill Book House Fire.
Carried out unconscious and presumed dead.
"head and face bruised and arms cut".
Captain at Aerial Truck Co. No. 1 in 1893.
Basge # 90
Retired about 1900
Died March 21, 1904 in Central Hospital for the insane of, paresis disease.
Burial at Crownhill
Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
Interview with Chief Nancy Rasmussen, filmed and conducted by Lieutenant Joel Harsin. 2018.
Indianapolis Fire department
March 19, 1904.
Private Oscar F. Stehlin. Chemical #1, (ran out of the 7's)
Never Recovered from Injury suffered in attempting to Save a Man's Life.
“Oscar F. Stehlin, who was a city fireman, died yesterday morning at his home, 1610 East Tenth street. The immediate cause of death was hemorrhage of the brain, but his health had been failing previous to his death. Stehlin was overcome by sewer gas last summer while attempting to rescue two men from the bottom of a manhole, where they had been overcome by the deadly fumes of the gas. He was overcome and rescued with difficulty by his companions. He never really recovered from the effects of the gas. Stehlin was born in Terre Haute In 1864. Coming to this city young he learned the molders trade and worked at' it until 1893, when he was appointed a member of the fire department. After six months' service he resigned and went to work at his trade. In 1896 he rejoined the department and was assigned to chemical #1 company, of which he was a member until his death. A widow and two children survive. The funeral will be from St. Patrick's Church tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. As many of the members of the fire department as can be relieved from duty will attend the funeral of their former comrade.
The burial will be at the Catholic Cemetery south of the city. “
(Holy Cross)
Badge # 89
THE BOWEN-MERRILL FIRE
The fire began at 3:08 PM on this memorable St. Patrick's day, volumes of smoke rolling up from the basement of the Bowen-Merrill book house, located at 16-18 West Washington Street where great quantities of paper were stored, attracting the attention of passersby as it came through the grating to the sidewalk. The loss of property to this and adjoining establishments exceeded $200,000, the Bowen-Merrill loss being $87,224; that of H. P. Wasson & Co. and others does not appear. It is pathetically significant that the record of this fire is incomplete in the books at Department Headquarters. The clerk who kept, and still keeps, the record was unconscious under the fallen wall, with dead and dying comrades around him. He fortunately escaped with his life, after hovering for months on the brink of death. This break in the record remains as but one of many reminders of the great disaster.
It was not at first thought the fire would be a serious one, but as the volume of smoke increased and it was seen that great columns of flame were shooting upward from the basement through sky and elevator shafts to the roof, it became evident that a very determined effort would be required to keep the fire within the walls where it started and to prevent it from spreading to adjoining buildings to the imminent risk of perhaps destroying the entire block extending from Meridian to Illinois Streets, one of the most valuable in the city, filled with merchandise of great cost. Upon the roof, the better to fight this fire, a number of the fireman had gathered, while others in the less exposed parts of the building had entered the windows. At about 5:30PM without a moments warning, owing doubtless to the great weight upon the floors by reason of the water soaked paper and the insufficient support given by the columns, the floors from bottom to top gave way and the roof fell in. Eleven firemen were taken out dead from the ruins and a thrill of sympathy for their bereaved families went through this community, extending outward from here until it spread all over the land. "Honor for the brave dead who died at their post of duty; let us see that their loved ones do not suffer," was the cry at once taken up.
Those killed were:
Chauffeur, Thomas A. Black: Truck Co. No. 3.
Private John Burkhart, Sub Engine Co. No. 1.
Andrew O. Cherry, Superintendent Fire Alarm Telegraph.
Chauffeur, George S. Falkner: Engineer at Engine House No. 1
Private Ulysess G. Glazier, Sub Engine 3 (Nephew of Chief Daniel Glazier, LODD 03/11/1873).
Private, Albert Huffmann, Pipe-man at Hose Co. No. 10.
Private, David O.R. Lowery, Pipe-man at Engine Co. No. 2
Private, Espy Stormer: Pipe-man at Engine Co. No. 1
Chauffeur, Anthony Voltz: Truck Co. No. 2
Private, Geo. W. Glenn, Pipe-man at Hose Co. No. 10.
Private, Henry D. Woodruff, Pipe-man at Engine Co. No. 5.
Private, William F. Jones Engine Co. 1 remained buried until about 3:30 AM March 18 and died at his home on March 22nd 1890
Captain William McGinnis, Station No. 8 when injured. "head and chest bruised and injured internally".
Died from his injuries on December 1892.
Pipe man, Louis F. Rafert: Engine Co. No. 3,
Died of his injuries on April 7th, 1903.
2nd Assistant Chief and Captain Albert Muerer, of Hook & Ladder Co. No. 2. "Head and face bruised, and arms cut".
Died of his injuries on March 22, 1904
Private William. A. Hinesley: Stoker at Engine Co. No. 1 "Three ribs broken, face and head cuts and bruised". Died of his injuries on July 8th, 1914
On January 7th, 1893, Frank Harvey of engine 3, still despondent over the fact he had taken the day off and Ulysess G. Glazier was killed in his place, took his own life.
Private Harvey had rushed to the scene after hearing of the fire and assisted in the rescue efforts including the recovery of Ulysess Glazier.
The spontaneous cry that the dead should be buried with appropriate ceremony, that the wounded should be well cared for and that the widows and children of the dead should not suffer because of the loss of their bread winners took form in a popular subscription. The response to the appeal for funds was nobly generous. The newspapers helped with the good work, and everybody helped. The Widows mite and the hundred dollar or two-hundred-dollar contribution went inside by side. In addition to the thousands contributed freely by citizens of Indianapolis, large amounts came from other cities, many being from brother firemen, and the chord of sympathy was touched as far away as London England, whence came a goodly sum as a contribution from insurance companies doing business in this country.
A relief committee, with Mayor Sullivan as chairman, was chosen to make proper distribution of the fund, which amounted to $52,433.49. The committee did this service to everyone's satisfaction, the greater part of the amount being used to purchase annuities for the widows and orphans of those who were killed.
Hence the beginning of our pension fund.
If you are on the pension, you know what happens on the 15th of each month. We can thank this young man in particular for leading the charge.
Tom Hanify served on the Indianapolis Fire Dept. for 40 years and just recently retired. He also served as the Local 416 president for 10 years and since 200...
Bryona L. Slaughter.
Became the first woman to pass all the prerequisites becoming the first Indianapolis female firefighter.
APPT: 03/03/78.
March 11, 1873.
Daniel G. Glazier, Chief of the Department,
The First Indianapolis Firefighter killed in the line of duty
Chief Glazier was killed during a major fire at the Woodburn-Sarven Wheel Works on South Illinois Street.
At 12 1/2 o'clock Chief Engineer GLAZIER entered a window on the second story, and while in the act of giving orders, the brick wall fell, burying him beneath the debris. He was rescued as speedily as possible, but he only lived a few minutes.
The other men all survived.
He was the brother of Frank and Charles Glazier, Father of Harvey and Strawder Glazier, Uncle to Ulyssis Glazier (LODD March 1890) and John Glazier who along with Peter Glazier invented the Glazier nozzle.
DOB: July 1, 1835
Appt: October 1, 1860
Engineer at Fire House No. 3 in 1869.
Chief Fire Engineer 1870-1873.
Buried at Crown Hill Cemetery. Section 15, Lot 30.
A legend in the making right here.......
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“Every so often, in the midst of chaos, you come across an amazing, inexplicable instance of civic responsibility. Maybe the last shred of faith people have is in their firemen.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
April 29, 2004 - Indiana Roof. Police Fire-Sheriff Awards.
All photos courtesy of Patrick Pearcey with IMPD archives.
History here,.......
Hey buddies, in this episode, I speak with Harry Tibbetts. He has an impressive career with the Indianapolis Fire Dept. Harry hit on quite a few very importa...
Dedication October 17th, 1996. Tom Hannify and Howard Stahl.
The Indianapolis News
Indianapolis, Indiana · Tuesday, February 03, 1925
MARY FRANCES FLYNN. Miss Flynn, stenographer, and clerk in the office of John J. O'Brien, fire chief, was appointed the first woman "fireman" In the history of Indianapolis, Tuesday, by the board of works.
Badge #28.
748 Massachusetts Avenue
Indianapolis, IN
46204
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