Safety and Training Division 

The Safety and Training Division oversees all fire training operations for the Carmel Fire Department’s more than 180 sworn personnel. Responsibilities include assessing training needs, developing curriculum, scheduling courses, and maintaining detailed training and certification records.

In collaboration with the EMS Division, the Safety and Training Division administers state-mandated continuing education and provides instruction in areas such as hazardous materials, rope rescue, water and ice rescue, and fire suppression. Training occurs year-round at multiple locations to ensure firefighters maintain the highest level of readiness.

The division also manages all training documentation and ensures compliance with state certification requirements. Staff closely monitor updates from the Indiana Public Safety Training Institute to stay informed of any changes in training standards and certification processes.

Recruit development is another key focus. New firefighters complete a rigorous 22-week Recruit Academy, followed by a probationary year of on-shift learning and performance evaluation. This process ensures that every firefighter meets the department’s high expectations for safety, skill, and professionalism.

The division coordinates all water and ice rescue training, maintaining two 12-foot inflatable boats, a 14-foot flat-bottom aluminum jet boat, and other specialized equipment. Staff also work with the Indiana River Rescue School to keep the department’s water rescue training aligned with the latest safety and performance standards.

Commitment to Safety

The primary mission of the Safety and Training Division is to protect our firefighters by ensuring they perform their duties with the highest degree of skill, confidence, and safety. Our ultimate goal is simple - that every firefighter returns home safely at the end of each shift.

The division also oversees injury reporting, risk reduction, and occupational safety, helping to create a safe and healthy work environment. From managing protective gear and physical exam records to implementing safety protocols at emergency scenes, every aspect of the Carmel Fire Department is built on a foundation of safety.

Safety is our number one priority — our firefighters’ lives depend on it.

ope to achieve specific safety and health objectives in all of our activities. In striving towards these objectives, the Safety Division maintains a Comprehensive Risk Management Plan which outlines the recommended National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards which must be met in order to provide a safe and healthy work environment. The division is also responsible for injury reporting and risk reduction for the department.

Safety is a part of every aspect of the Carmel Fire Department, from purchasing protective equipment to emergency incidents to managing physical examination records. Safety is our number one goal, and our firefighters’ lives depend on it!