Indianapolis Airport Authority Fire Department

We congratulate Lieutenant Keith Schmidt on his 25th Anniversary with the Indianapolis Airport Authority Fire Department and thank him for his continued dedication and contributions to the department.

• Congratulations to Probationary Firefighters Hunter Grossmann and Tayrell Cusic for completing our 6-week Recruit Academy for previously State Certified new hires. At the end of the academy, they pierced a hole in their red recruit tee shirts and were issued blue ones at the start of their assigned shifts.

The Indianapolis Airport held the annual Public Safety Awards to recognize Airport Police Officers, Firefighters, Telecommunicators, and Public Safety Officers for their above-and-beyond actions taken last year. Several Firefighters were awarded during this event. Congratulations to the recipients of these awards.

We congratulate Firefighter Richard Bayliff on his 35th year of dedicated service with the Indianapolis Airport Authority Fire Department. Chief Pervine presented Richard with an engraved ceremonial axe to commemorate the occasion. Richard’s Wife joined us for lunch, cake, and a lot of stories and memories.

Congratulations to Deputy Chief Ben Williams on his 20th anniversary with the Indianapolis Airport Authority Fire Department. As is customary, Chief Williams received a plaque and a fire department embroidered leather bomber jacket.

Today was an emotional celebration when a Cardiac Arrest Survivor and his family were reunited with the first responders who were responsible for saving his life. He thanked them all, from the Airport Police who initiated CPR to the TSA Agents who assisted with a defibrillator, to the Airport Fire EMTs and Paramedics who provided treatment and medications, to the Plainfield Fire Territory Ambulance crew who continued that care during transport to the hospital.

We received the following patient feedback from a Cardiac Arrest Call our department responded to on December 2nd. It is always nice to hear how all of the training our Firefighter EMTs and Firefighter Paramedics receive saves lives. Congratulations to the individuals who initiated CPR prior to our arrival, as well as the crews working on the A Shift from Engine 998, Engine 995, and Plainfield Fire Territory Medic 123.

“On Tuesday, December 2nd, at about 4 am, I experienced a cardiac arrest at the TSA pre-check line. I don’t remember anything, but my wife told me she was really impressed with the response from the TSA agent and the airport’s fire and rescue personnel. If it wasn’t for these highly trained people, I wouldn’t be here today writing this letter. I am eternally grateful for their response and professionalism in taking care of me and making sure I got to the hospital.
Thank all of you for your great work saving my life.”

We congratulate Firefighter Todd Stephenson on his successful completion of the IU Health Paramedic Course. This course required over 1,200 hours of classroom and clinical training. Todd was able to balance class, clinicals, and family life while still working the remainder of his shifts after class and continuing his functions as our department’s Quartermaster.

As with every year, we gathered in Civic Plaza today to honor and remember victims and first responders who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Thank you to all who joined us to pause and reflect on the bravery and resilience shown that day.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of retired Indianapolis Airport Firefighter Roy Snyder. Roy spent over 46 years with our department. He was a long-time Captain and finished his career as a driver of our largest ARFF Vehicle.

Today, we celebrated Mike Kiel's 25th anniversary with the Indianapolis Airport Authority Fire Department. Chief Pervine presented him with a plaque, and the shift was more than happy to celebrate with cake and ice cream.

The Indianapolis Airport Authority Fire Department joined other airport employees at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Indianapolis. One of the Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting trucks fit into the green theme of the day and helped celebrate the launch of a new upcoming direct flight from Indianapolis to Ireland on Aer Lingus.