On Monday morning, 32 men and a woman were sworn in as Akron’s newest firefighters. Each firefighter had chosen someone special in their life to join them on stage at the Akron-Summit Main Library auditorium to pin their badge on their jacket, including significant others, spouses and parents. Three firefighters were pinned by their fathers, who are fellow Akron police and firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 4/26/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com

The cost for training and certifying firefighters can be expensive for fire departments across the state, especially for those that deploy volunteers to the field. That's why a piece of legislation was presented in the Texas House Committee on Licensing & Administration by Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, to put in place a rule that would prevent the state from regulating the more than 1,400 all-volunteer fire departments.
- PUB DATE: 4/26/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Times Record News

The FDIC Service Award is presented to local Indianapolis-area personnel who have, over an extended period, demonstrated outstanding service to the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International. This year’s recipient is Jacob Spence. Spence is a captain in Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department (IFD) Battalion 7. He attended Purdue University, during which time he was a volunteer firefighter for the Wabash Township (IN) Fire Department. He joined IFD in 2001. He joined the Indiana Task Force 1 in 2001 and is its hazmat team manager. He joined the FDIC International Indy team in 2011 and is Plans Section chief. He joined the Holmatro Indy Car Safety Team in 2012 as a firefighter and travels the Indy car circuit. He was awarded the Department of Public Safety Distinguished Service Award in 2015.

“Jacob Spence has been an invaluable member of the FDIC command-and-control team,” notes FDIC Education Director Bobby Halton. “Jacob has become integral to the planning and execution of the largest hands-on training deployment in the fire service. He lends a level of expertise and insight that is unparalleled because of his comprehensive experience in planning for, conducting, and evaluating large-scale events.”

The award was presented at the Indianapolis Fire Department Recognition Banquet held on January 27, 2017, in the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Pennwell Fire Group Social Media Coordinator Amanda Landsaw was back for another day of hands-on training at FDIC International 2017. Watch some of her experiences at the training sites below.

A Day at FDIC International: Touring HOT

Just a few scenes from the FDIC International 2017 show floor as exhibitors prep their booths ahead of the Thursday, April 27 opening of the show.