Firefighters get special recognition for years of service
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – They keep us safe all year long and on Friday, members of the Indianapolis Fire Department got some special recognition.
Friday was the annual IFD Longevity Ceremony. Both sworn and civilian employees celebrated their years of dedicated service to IFD. Among the special guests were Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and IFD Chief Ernest Malone.
“Anyone will tell you that a life in public service is never easy. And you never know what you are going to do from day to day. And every day you go into work you just really don’t know what’s around the corner is true. We don’t do it for the money, and certainly not something you aspire to do because you want to be rich. We enjoy doing it because it’s a service to the city,” said Battalion Chief Rita Reith with IFD.
The range of service awards went from five years to as many as 45 years.
Also happening on Friday, IFD will honor the memory of those killed in one of the city’s most devastating fires. In 1992, a fire at the Indianapolis Athletic Club killed two firefighters and injured several more.
Participants in the event will climb nine stories at the Athletic Club to raise money to create a permanent memorial at the club.