Wayne Township Fire Department Indianapolis

07/29/2026

Wayne Township Fire Department personnel spent part of the day conducting sonar training at Waterfront Drive, sharpening the specialized skills needed for water rescue and recovery operations.

Training like this ensures our crews are prepared to respond safely and effectively when every second counts. Continuous training is a key part of our commitment to protecting the community and maintaining the highest level of operational readiness.

07/26/2026

As we do every year, the Wayne Township Fire Department is honored to be part of the excitement at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

It's NASCAR weekend, and the legendary Brickyard 400 returns for its 32nd running at one of the world's most iconic racing venues. Today, Wayne Township Engine 85 is positioned inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, alongside Speedway Fire Department Ladder 88, just outside Race Control on the front stretch.

While we're inside the facility—not on the racing surface—our firefighters are strategically located and ready to respond wherever we're needed to help keep race weekend safe.

If you're attending the race and happen to be in the area, feel free to stop by and say hello! Our firefighters are always happy to meet race fans, answer questions, and let you take a closer look at the apparatus.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Brickyard 400 weekend!

07/17/2026

Congratulations to Firefighter Melvin Justice!
Last night, Firefighter Justice was presented with his Wayne Township Fire Department badge by Fire Chief John Garino during the graduation ceremony for .

Melvin was originally part of an earlier recruit class with Wayne Township firefighters but suffered an injury during academy training. Instead of giving up, he committed himself to rehabilitation, recovered, and earned the opportunity to attend the next available academy—Indianapolis Fire Department Recruit Class 91.
After successfully completing the demanding 28-week academy alongside 62 fellow recruits, Melvin is ready to begin the next chapter of his career.

Melvin will report for his first shift with B Shift in just a few days, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome him to the team.

Congratulations, Firefighter Justice! Your perseverance, determination, and commitment to serving our community are an inspiration. Welcome to the Wayne Township Fire Department family!

07/08/2026

Congratulations on Your Retirement, Captain Doug Lathery!

After more than 22 years of dedicated service, Captain Doug Lathery is retiring from the fire service, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, professionalism, and commitment to our department.

Doug began his career with the department on May 6, 2004. Throughout his career, he served in a variety of leadership roles, earning the respect of those who worked alongside him. In 2008, he was promoted to Lieutenant at Ladder 71 before transferring to Engine 74, where he served for many years. He was later promoted to Battalion Chief on C Shift and eventually to Operations Chief, where he helped guide the department through continued growth and advancement. In 2023, Doug returned to the companies, finishing his career where he enjoyed being most—serving alongside the crews as Captain of Engine 71.

In addition to his operational assignments, Doug proudly served as House Captain at Station 71 and dedicated many hours to the fire service as an FDIC Live Fire Site Supervisor.

Doug's leadership, experience, and steady presence have helped shape our department into what it is today. Whether mentoring younger firefighters, leading from the front during emergencies, or helping guide the organization through times of change, his influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

As he begins this next chapter, Doug looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Morgan, and his son, Ethan, helping run their family businesses, traveling, and enjoying more time together at the lake.

Captain Lathery, thank you for your unwavering dedication, your leadership, and your many years of service to this department and the community. Congratulations on a well-earned retirement. We wish you and your family nothing but health, happiness, and success in the years ahead. You have certainly earned it.

Congratulations, Captain Doug Lathery!

06/17/2026

Wayne Township Fire Department Engine 85 had the opportunity to conduct elevator operations and control training this morning at a local camp operated by the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.

The facility provided an excellent environment for firefighters to review elevator operations, emergency controls, and procedures used during incidents involving elevators. Hands-on training opportunities like this help ensure our crews are prepared to safely and effectively manage elevator-related emergencies.

After training was complete, the Scout leaders treated the crew to a few sweet rewards from their vault of goodies. We are always grateful for opportunities to work alongside our community partners and appreciate the support they provide to our firefighters.

Training is important, but we have to admit that finishing the morning with Girl Scout Cookies might be one of the best perks ever!

A special thank you to the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana for your hospitality and continued partnership with Wayne Township Fire Department. We value the opportunity to train in our community and work with organizations that support public safety.

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06/15/2026

🚒 Vehicle Extrication Training at Station 82 🚒

On this beautiful Monday morning, firefighters from Wayne Township Fire Department Station 82 headed to the salvage yard for hands-on vehicle extrication training.

Today's training focused on vehicle stabilization and tunneling operations. Tunneling is a specialized rescue technique used when traditional access points, such as vehicle doors, are inaccessible due to crash damage. In these situations, firefighters create an access route through the trunk and into the rear passenger compartment to reach, assess, and remove trapped occupants safely.

Training like this allows our crews to sharpen critical rescue skills in realistic environments, ensuring they are prepared to respond when seconds matter most.

06/05/2026

Wayne Township Fire Department is heartbroken to learn the sudden and tragic loss of Indianapolis Fire Department firefighter and Indiana National Guard member Sgt. Nathaniel J. Thomas. We will pass on any information from IFD regarding arrangements.

This is Sgt. Nathaniel Thomas.

The 34-year-old husband and father of five kids died Thursday while on orders at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

"Thomas lived a life defined by unwavering service, dedicating himself fully to both his nation and his local community," the Indiana National Guard and Indianapolis Fire Department said in a joint statement.

MORE: https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/34-year-old-indiana-national-guard-sergeant-nathaniel-thomas/531-6daa3706-2d9e-4952-b329-b25ab54b0473?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WTHR-TV

(📸: Indianapolis Fire Department)

(NOTE: The National Guard has clarified that Thomas was on orders, but was not participating in a training event when he died.)

04/09/2026

Wayne Township Fire Department – Station 84 took full advantage of today’s incredible weather to get outside and put in some valuable vehicle extrication training.

Engine 84 and Ladder 84 worked through multiple scenarios, running all of their tools through their paces while focusing on vehicle stabilization and patient removal techniques, including operations involving an inverted vehicle. These types of hands-on evolutions are critical to maintaining the precision and efficiency our crews bring to real-world emergencies.

Our Special Operations Division dedicates countless hours to refining these skills. With warmer weather ahead, opportunities like this become more frequent, allowing our firefighters to train harder, move faster, and stay ready for whatever comes next.

03/29/2026

Wayne Township Fire Department, with assistance from Speedway and Avon Fire Departments, responded to a building fire this afternoon in the 1800 block of N. Expo Lane on the west side of Indianapolis.

Units were initially dispatched for a building alarm, which was upgraded to a working fire upon arrival. Firefighters discovered a commercial building used to manufacture large custom aquariums, where workers were in the process of producing a custom aquarium section in their primary furnace when a fire was identified in the furnace’s ventilation system.

The fire quickly extended into the roof structure, producing heavy smoke throughout the building. First-arriving engine crews rapidly stretched attack lines and advanced deep into the interior, while ladder companies deployed personnel to the roof to perform vertical ventilation and conduct searches for any occupants.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes. No injuries were reported. The incident resulted in several thousand dollars in damage, primarily to specialized equipment essential to the company’s operations. The fire was ultimately contained to the furnace and the roof area surrounding the ventilation system.

This incident highlights the importance of early detection systems and a coordinated, multi-agency response in limiting fire spread and protecting both lives and property.

03/20/2026

The nice turn of weather is being grabbed up by in-duty crews this week. Ladder 82 was out this morning practicing commercial roof operations. Keep the nice weather coming, Mother Nature.