Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department (IFD) Chief Brian Sanford is ready to take on a new challenge. After faithfully serving the City of Indianapolis as the Chief of IFD, Sanford is stepping down as Fire Chief and moving into his new role as Chief of Staff for the Department of Public Safety (DPS). In his new assignment, Sanford will continue to report to Director of Public Safety Troy Riggs. The definitive date for retirement from the IFD is still pending.
As Chief of Staff, Sanford will oversee the eight divisions that make up DPS which include Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Indianapolis EMS, Animal Care and Control, Department of Homeland Security, Public Safety Communications, Police Citizen’s Complaint Board and Mayor’s Office of Re-entry. He will provide a broad range of expertise in strategic and administrative services that make up the day to day response of public safety. He will assist the division heads in monitoring the use of budgets, resources, project management and priority programs within each division and throughout DPS.
Director Riggs states “I am proud of the work that Brian Sanford has done over the last 6 years as Chief of IFD. His talents run far beyond his service as a firefighter and I am excited to have him join the DPS Management staff as the Chief of Staff. Many have outwardly seen the benefits of his leadership as reflected in the service that the IFD provides, however Brian’s broad knowledge of fiscal issues, management, discipline and operations has led others in DPS to seek his counsel behind the scenes as well. His contributions will help continue the positive trajectory we are on in making the City of Indianapolis the safest place to live, work and raise your family. Chief Sanford has been an asset not just to the Indianapolis Fire Department and the community, but to fire departments across the state and nation. Brian is a selfless firefighter who leads by action.”
Chief Sanford began his fire service career at the age of 27 with the Warren Township Fire Department. He rose through the ranks and ultimately was appointed Fire Chief. He served as Warren Fire Chief for 8 years. In 2007 Warren Township FD merged into the IFD and in July of 2008 Brian Sanford was named Chief of the Indianapolis Fire Department. In December of 2013 Sanford completed 30 years as a firefighter in Indianapolis. This new challenge will offer him an opportunity to reach across all agencies and impact services in a broader role.
Sanford states “Over the last 30 years I have been blessed to serve this great city and surround myself with a remarkable array of hardworking and talented people dedicated to the efforts of public safety. The energy that surrounds emergency response work is an experience few are lucky to have. I am grateful to all those who have supported me throughout my career. In this new role, I hope to continue giving back and assisting Director Riggs meet his vision for Indianapolis Public Safety going forward.”
Within the next few weeks a selection process will be established for the new IFD Chief. Riggs will determine the most effective way to select the new Chief however, no definitive timetable has been set. Sanford will remain Chief until the completion of the selection process. Once complete Sanford is committed to spending the time necessary to effect a smooth transition for the new Fire Chief appointee.
Throughout the nation, the Indianapolis Fire Department is considered aggressive in its mission to protect lives and property while also viewed as a leader in health, safety and training initiatives for its firefighters. Sanford’s legacy as Chief of IFD will be felt for the next 150 years of service as his tenure has seen some of the most wide sweeping changes in the history of the department. Under Sanford’s leadership the IFD’s service district expanded from 100 Square Miles to 278 Square Miles along with a 30 percent increase in the number of firefighters as part of the 3 mergers that took place between 2008 and 2012. His leadership on initiatives such as the Bio Fuels project, Firefighter Cancer Study, Harvard Cardiovascular Firefighter Study, Super Bowl Incident Management Planning and the procurement of millions of dollars in grant money have helped the IFD gain national favor amongst Fire Chiefs across the nation. In addition he receives high accolades for his internal changes within the IFD bringing it into the 21 century as a proactive national leader…not follower.
Sanford believes the Indianapolis Fire Department has been successful because of the competent, compassionate and caring firefighters and support staff as well as city leadership and Firefighters Local 416. Sanford said, “In Indianapolis, we are fortunate to have a Mayor, City Council and a Union that values our fire and EMS services. It is because of this teamwork, that we get to come to work every day and do what we love.” He continued, “We have state of the art training and equipment but it’s our people who make the difference. I am humbled and honored to have been an Indianapolis Firefighter for over 30 years, and to have served as Fire Chief.”
Brian Sanford, 57, has been married to Diane Sanford for 37 years and has 3 sons, Ryan, Mike and Mark. He has 6 grandchildren. A lifetime Hoosier, Brian was born in Hancock County, grew up on an eastside dairy farm and graduated from Mount Vernon High School. He is an active member of Indian Creek Christian Church.
