In an eclectic, diverse, cultural area of downtown Indianapolis,
that boasts great restaurants, nightclubs, boutiques, theatres and
comedy clubs, and businesses - there is also something else...this
lovely memorial. The Memorial sits in front of the Local 416 Union
Hall. This is housed in the oldest standing firehouse in Marion
County. The Memorial consists of five descending columns that
spiral out from the front of the firehouse to the centerpiece
column. On each column are inscribed the names of our fallen
heroes. Atop the center column sits a Phoenix, the mythical bird of
fire. Just as it rises from its ashes, so too do the souls of our
heroes, drawn upward to heaven. In February, 1992, flames ravaged
the Athletic Club in downtown Indianapolis and sent shockwaves
through the Indianapolis Fire Department. This tragic blaze claimed
the lives of two Indianapolis firefighters and injured several
more, one critically. As the Department and its members struggled
with their grief, the healing process was begun in the form of the
investigation of the cause of the fire as well as of Departmental
policies and procedures. These investigations led to a more
structured Incident Command system, better personal protective
equipment, new SCBAs, and a wake-up call to the members that no
fire is routine. The healing process is long. A year after the
tragedy, the Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Local 416 was
looking for a ways to honor the memory of our two fallen brothers
and to offer some sense of closure to the membership. It was
decided to hold a memorial service. As the plans for this event
were being made, it occurred to members of the Executive Board that
the Indianapolis Fire Department has had many members who have made
the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man. And so, in February,
1993, a solemn procession made its way from Fire Headquarters to
the Indiana War Memorial located just one block north of the site
of 1992's tragic fire. There, dignitaries spoke of bravery and
sacrifice. Then, a rose was placed in a vase for each name from the
roll of heroes. As each name was read, a fire bell tolled. When the
vase held sixty-eight names, Taps echoed through the auditorium.
The event was attended by civic leaders, firefighters, and family
members of several of those who sacrificed their lives. One of
them, who's father had died 32 years before, spoke to a member of
the Local 416 Executive Board after the service. She thanked the
Local for the service, "This is the first time my father's
sacrifice has been recognized publicly." This, then, was the
genesis of the Marion County Fallen Firefighters Memorial. After
two years of planning and fundraising the dream was realized. The
Memorial was dedicated on July 26, 1996. The list of names had
grown to seventy-one as the concept was expanded to include all of
Marion County.