INDIANAPOLIS — Firefighters from across the country – and around the world – hit FDIC 2025 in Indianapolis last week, participating in hands-on training, attending educational sessions and special events, viewing product demonstrations and, of course, networking with fellow first responders and vendors.
If you weren’t able to make the show, check out the following photos and videos that capture the essence of the event. And if you did attend, relive the milestone moments below.
Opening ceremony highlights
Chief David Rhodes, education director for Fire Engineering and FDIC, started the first opening ceremonies by dedicating FDIC 2025 to Captain Bill Gustin, a 51-year veteran of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and technical editor for Fire Engineering. Gustin died on March 16 at the age of 70. “FDIC is dedicated to you, our humble ol’ captain,” he said.
Chief Rhodes then spoke about mission, service and purpose, encouraging firefighters to ensure they are focused on servant leadership: “The only thing that threatens to kill the fire service is a lack of leadership” — leaders who put themselves before service to its citizens.
To close out the Day 1 opening ceremony, Rhodes channelled his inner President Trump, signing some “fire service executive orders,” capping the bit with, “And live from Indianapolis, it’s FDIC!”
Kristina Moon, widow of fallen FDNY firefighter Billy Moon and president of the Billy Moon Foundation, gave the Day 2 keynote address, sharing the powerful story of how her husband’s organ donation saved several lives. Moon introduced three of the organ recipients on stage: FDNY Lt. (ret.) Terry Jordan, FDNY captain (ret.) Patrick Reynolds and Richard Grehl.
Finally, fire service leadership awards were presented: Chief Robert R. Morris of the Stamford (Conn.) Fire Department was awarded the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award as a “tribute to a lifetime devoted to service, innovation and the brotherhood of the fire service,” Rhodes said. And Kearny (N.J.) Fire Department Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso was named the George D. Post Instructor of the Year. “When you choose to be an instructor ... you know you’re going to be criticized, and that’s part of the process,” Viscuso said when accepting the award. “It’s not us against them; it’s us against complacency.”
Daily reflections
Zam and Chief Caughey recap some show highlights from Day 1:
Zam and Caughey unpack Day 2 — at least what had transpired thus far.
For Day 3 highlights, Caughey and FireRescue1 Editor-in-Chief Janelle Foskett take a bird’s eye view of the outdoor exhibits and events from Rosenbauer’s King Cobra.
Exhibit hall: Apparatus and products
The exhibit hall — both at the convention center and Lucas Oil Stadium — featured a wide variety of apparatus and products.
And as always, the pipes and drums marked the official opening to the exhibit hall:
Check out some additional photos from the exhibit hall:
Friends of Better Every Shift
Check out the former guests Zam ran into at FDIC. Plus, Zam has a special message for the “Misfit Nation” related to the podcast’s recent IAFF Media Awards honor:
Watch episodes of Better Every Shift.
