Indianapolis, Indiana - January 2006
Nestled in the southeast corner of Marion County, Franklin Township is the second fastest growing area of the State.

To serve this thriving community of 38,000, the Franklin Township Fire Department and its 65 sworn personnel are in constant training in fire suppression, hazardous materials, EMS, trench and confined space and many other special areas to stay at the top of their game.

Health and Safety Come First
Division Chief Doug Evans leads the health and safety efforts of the department. This includes:
· Instituting multiple personnel qualified as safety officers during each shift
· Ensuring that all officers can fulfill a safety officer role
· Providing exercise equipment at each fire station
· Instituting mandatory exercise time for up to 2 hours each shift
· Providing a fitness coordinator during each shift

Currently, the department is seeing an 80-85% participation rate. The program has led to a lower incidence of sprains, strains, and has helped reduce re-occurring injuries.

Annually, all personnel must pass a physical agility test. There is a financial incentive for all who pass. For those who don't, they have 6 months to prepare themselves to try again.

One testimony to the fitness of their personnel was reflected in the World Police and Fire Games in Indianapolis. They set a world record in the Bucket Brigade competition.

Community Education
The Franklin Township Fire Department works hard to educate their community on health and safety matters. To introduce junior high and high school students to the fire service, they offer a Cadet Program for ages 14-18. The cadets serve as reserves and receive complete training. However, they serve in more of a support role at the fire scene and do not provide EMT or firefighter functions.

W.A.R.N. One of the most novel and successful programs introduced by the department is the Water Awareness in Residential Neighborhood (W.A.R.N.) program. Created by Dive Team Coordinator Jerry Richert in partnership with 6 other central Indiana fire departments, the W.A.R.N. program is a nonprofit educational tool to teach the community about water safety. Franklin Township has over 100 retention ponds with an average depth of 15-20 feet. Drowning is a serious risk for children, therefore, education is extremely important. Using their public education trailer, the Fire Department regularly coordinates presentations with their local homeowners associations, safety fairs, and street fairs. For more info on W.A.R.N., visit www.warnonline.org. Departments can request a complete kit for only $275.

Wellness Program
The Fire Department currently provides an annual wellness program with a complete physical to every firefighter. They want their personnel to go home at the end of the day, as well as, at the end of their career. Six-year Chief Paul Bailey quotes Chief Brunacini of the Phoenix Fire Department…"too many departments take better care of their apparatus, than their own people."

For more information on the Franklin Township Fire Department, visit online by clicking here.

© 2006 Public Safety Medical Services