Wayne Township Fire Department Indianapolis

08/29/2026

The West Central Fire Academy Recruit Class 26-16 spent the week completing their Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations state certifications at the Wayne Township Fire Department Training Academy.

Recruits from the Brownsburg, Plainfield, Speedway, and Wayne Township fire departments received hands-on instruction from professionals in Fire, Hazmat, and Emergency Management. Training covered critical skills including:
🧪 Hazardous materials identification
🚨 Incident command
🧯 Chemical protective clothing
📟 Air monitoring
🧼 Decontamination procedures
🔧 And other essential Hazmat response techniques

These recruits are putting in the work to be prepared for the challenges they may face in the field—and we're proud of their dedication and commitment to serving their communities.

Class 26-16 will complete their recruit training over the next couple of weeks. Welcome to the fire department family! We’re proud to have you.

08/17/2026

Wayne Township Fire Department is hoping for a speedy recovery for the Bargersville fire officer involved in this bizarre incident while returning from a mutual aid run today.

Bargersville Lieutenant Injured While Returning From Mutual Aid Response

This morning, a Bargersville Community Fire Department Lieutenant was injured while Rescue 201 was returning to the district following a mutual aid water rescue in Madison Township.

At approximately 7:56 a.m., Rescue 201 was approaching the roundabout at State Road 144 and Kitchen Road when the crew encountered a fallen tree along the roadway. A branch extending into the roadway entered through the open officer-side window of the apparatus and struck the Lieutenant in the chest.

The Lieutenant was transported to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment and is currently in stable condition. No other members of the crew were injured.

The Lieutenant is with family and fire department representatives. We ask that everyone respect their privacy as they continue to receive care.

We appreciate the support that has already been extended to our department and our injured Lieutenant.

08/16/2026

Indianapolis, Indiana - Wayne Township Fire Department assisted the Indianapolis Fire Department, along with several area water rescue teams, during the historic flooding that impacted the City of Indianapolis over the past several days.

Following multiple storm systems that brought significant rainfall to the area, specialized boat teams from multiple agencies converged on the north side of Indianapolis to assist with the evacuation and rescue of people and animals trapped or threatened by rapidly rising floodwaters.

Two (2) Wayne Township Fire Department rescue zodiacs, their support vehicle, and command staff responded as part of the coordinated rescue effort. During the incident, both WTFD rescue boats handled 24 rescues in total, along with numerous investigations and inspections of flooded areas to ensure residents' safety.

Large-scale incidents like this demonstrate exactly why fire departments throughout our area train together and maintain specialized capabilities. Swiftwater and boat rescue teams are essential resources for metropolitan fire departments, and their effectiveness depends on training, preparation, specialized equipment, and strong interagency cooperation.

We are proud of the work of our C-Shift team and all of the firefighters, rescuers, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, emergency management personnel, and supporting agencies who worked together throughout this historic event.
When the water rises, training and teamwork matter.

08/11/2026

We are currently hiring for Part Time FF/EMTs and FF/Paramedics.

Interested in joining our department? Complete the interest form at the link below no later than August 21, 2026.

https://bit.ly/4zaudB8

08/09/2026

As students head back to school, let’s all do our part to keep them safe.

🛑 When a school bus has its stop arm extended and red lights flashing, STOP. Never pass a stopped school bus from either direction unless you’re on a divided highway.

A few seconds of patience can save a child’s life. Slow down, stay alert, and watch for children crossing the street—they can be unpredictable.

Let’s work together to make this a safe school year for everyone. 🚒🚌❤️

08/05/2026

8/4/26 - Tonight was one for the books. Our Wayne Township firefighters had the best time hanging out with our community for "National Night Out". We loved sharing good food, great company, and plenty of laughs.

The kids climbed on the trucks, learned some safety tips, and reminded us why these nights matter. Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by and made it such a fun, positive evening. We're already looking forward to next year.

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!