The relationship between Brendan Harnett and FDIC Indianapolis began long before he was hired on at the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department (IFD). The 21-year veteran firefighter, currently serving as a Division Chief with IFD, began helping with FDIC as a student with Ivy Tech State College through its Fire Science program. He had just attained his Paramedic Science Degree at IUPUI and was working as a firefighter/paramedic with the Buck Creek Township Fire Department.
Back then, Ivy Tech students were utilized by FDIC as “accountability” to ensure students got on the buses for the HOT classes. His favorite perk was that he could also attend the HOT class and the conference.
He decided on a career move and was hired by IFD in 2004.
His next role with FDIC was as a Site Safety Officer and later as a Site Safety Supervisor. He liked the opportunity to move through the different sites from year to year, as it was another opportunity to meet new firefighters and learn something from each of them.
Since 2019 Brendan has been the overall FDIC HOT Safety Officer and now coordinates and staffs the more than 60 Site Safety Supervisors and Officers for all 23 HOT sites. Additionally, he coordinates with FDIC Medica, and they are all IFD personnel from his current assignment as the Division Chief of EMS.
Brendan’s work at FDIC is vitally important to the health and safety of HOT students, conference attendees, and FDIC Command staff. On behalf of the entire FDIC team at Clarion Events, it is with great appreciation that we honor him with the 2025 FDIC Service Award.