Fort Wayne Fire Department

06/05/2026

River Rescue Training in Action

This week, our firefighters sharpened their skills during river and raft rescue training, preparing for emergencies that can happen on and around the water. Continuous training ensures our crews are ready to respond when seconds matter most.

As you enjoy the rivers, lakes, and waterways this summer, remember that safety starts with preparation:

✔️ Always wear a life jacket
✔️ Never swim alone
✔️ Keep a close eye on children near water
✔️ Be aware of currents and changing water conditions
✔️ Avoid alcohol when operating watercraft

Have fun, stay safe, and know that we're always training to serve our community when needed.

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

🚁 Lights, Flares, Action! 🚒

FWFD E17, T17, and BC17 recently responded to Parkview Southwest to assist Parkview Samaritan with establishing a safe landing zone for an incoming medical helicopter.

Working alongside Parkview Security and the flight crew, firefighters secured and marked a 100' x 100' landing zone, identified potential hazards, and communicated critical information to the pilot to ensure a safe landing and departure.

Helicopter landing zones require careful planning, coordination, scene safety and security. Crews evaluate obstacles, lighting, wind conditions, and access points while keeping vehicles and pedestrians clear of the area. With rotor wash capable of producing winds over 60 mph, even small debris can become a hazard.

Excellent teamwork between FWFD personnel, Parkview Security, and Parkview Samaritan helped ensure a safe and efficient operation.

🚒 E17 | T17 | BC17
🚁 Prepared. Coordinated. Ready.

06/02/2026

Last month, we celebrated one of the best traditions in the fire service - the 20-Year Club.

Each year, firefighters who reach 20 years on the department are welcomed into the club alongside the retirees and senior members who helped build the culture before them.

This year’s inductees included members from the 85th recruit class, or the class of ‘06.
The club also welcomed some honorary inductees, including Fort Wayne Radio Shop Technical Director, Mike Reichard, and 4th generation part of AALCO Distributing Co, Jack Dahm.

The 20-Year Club is more than just a dinner. Nights like this are part of the department’s oral history — the stories, lessons, traditions, and memories that never make it into a textbook or report, but get passed down one generation at a time.

Good food, good stories, and just enough “back in my day…” to last us until next year.

05/29/2026

Do you have a propane grill? If so, you should check the gas hose for leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. Here’s more grilling safety info to ensure you have some great meals and everyone stays safe!

05/29/2026

Do you have a propane grill? If so, you should check the gas hose for leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. Here’s more grilling safety info to ensure you have some great meals and everyone stays safe!

05/20/2026

E12 getting a little extra training in during a special assignment working with ReMA (Recycled Materials Association)

05/16/2026

The Fort Wayne Fire Department is proud to begin implementation of the new Stryker LIFEPAK 35 cardiac monitors, replacing the LIFEPAK 15 units that have served our crews and community for many years.

This investment reflects our continued commitment to providing firefighters and paramedics with advanced, reliable equipment to deliver high-quality emergency medical care to the residents of Fort Wayne. These units are expected be fully deployed and in service at the end of June 2026.

As technology continues to evolve, so does our dedication to ensuring our personnel have the tools needed to provide exceptional service when every second counts.

05/13/2026

Mayor Sharon Tucker and Fire Chief Eric Lahey awarded twelve firefighters the Unit Commendation Recognition Award this morning for their efforts during an early morning structure fire in February. Due to the well trained, highly motivated firefighters who arrived on the scene, crews successfully rescued a young adult and his pet from a second story window.

The following firefighters received a Unit Commendation Recognition:

Lieutenant Christopher Walker
Firefighter Zachery Vendrely
Firefighter Logan Morton
Firefighter Jason Linn
Lieutenant John Heidenreich
Firefighter Jeremy Biggs
Firefighter David Osborn
Firefighter Hayden Fitch
Lieutenant Joseph Eager
Firefighter David Botas
Firefighter Scott Myers
Probationary Firefighter Andrew Lytle

“I’m so proud of our firefighters who risk their lives each day to serve and protect. It’s important that we take time to recognize and highlight the outstanding work that’s being done in our great city,” said Mayor Tucker. “We’re fortunate to live in a community that has excellent firefighters and residents who value and support public safety.”

“The mission of the FWFD is to save lives. The foundation of any successful mission is a highly trained, properly equipped work force,” said Chief Lahey. “Today we celebrate these Fort Wayne firefighters who accepted and successfully carried out that mission using their training and experience to achieve a successful outcome for what could have been a tragedy. You will not find another Department in Indiana that trains as hard and makes as many runs as the Fort Wayne Fire Department. On a day like today I can’t help but feel pride for being part of a such a great Department that utilizes all of its resources, experience, and knowledge to save lives.”