This year, I traveled with Captain Wines (IronFiremen.com), Andrew Catron (ModelCityFirefighter.com) and Preston Wiley (Valley of the FOOLS). We also had Matthew Schimmel with us as a photographer.
Part I of the FDIC Wrap-Up is here
We arrived in Indianapolis Wednesday afternoon. We had a dinner to get to prior to the Brotherhood Bash and then it was on. We planned on having a table set up at the Brotherhood Bash to sell merchandise from the newly formed Valley of the FOOLS, which is the chapter Wines and I belong to. Our VOTF VP. Preston Wiley, was traveling with us and got everything set up while we were tied up.
Simply put, the FOOLS Bash at FDIC is the place to be on Wednesday night!
Pictures from the Brotherhood Bash are here (M. Schimmel photos)
Read Andrew Catron’s Wrap Up here from ModelCityFirefighter.com
Much like every year we have attended the Indy Metro Fools FDIC Brotherhood Bash, we had an exceptional time this year. What I love most about the FOOLS is that their are NO lines drawn in the sand. Training and Fellowship…it is as simple as that.
One of the highlights was picking up our Firemans Chore coats from Scottie DeArmond. This thing is comfortable as hell!
The Renegade Pipes and Drums did an amazing job playing on Wednesday night. They bring so much to an event like this one. It is amazing to me that this group can get together once a year and play like they have been playing together for years. Much thanks to the Renegades for making the trip to Indy this year.
It is great to see so many FOOLS chapters represented. Many had their shirts, coins, stickers, etc. for sale at the event. The newly formed Valley of the FOOLS was there (Captain Wines and me are card carrying members) with shirts and stickers. We sold a ton of them. Not only does this get our name out there, but it provides us with funding for training in our area. We are looking forward to more opportunities to get our name out there.
Thanks to all of you who stopped and said hi. We appreciate the photos and you sharing them on FB. I made it a point to try to remember as many people as I could, putting a face with so many names. Many of you might have noticed that when I was offered your first name, I asked for your last. It makes it easier on me to remember faces and names when we travel.
- With Dan Stahl, Garrett Poliey, Steve McGerty, and Matty Bee
- With David Wall
- With Jamie Bigelow
- With RJ Beam of Rescue Humor and Call The Cops
- With Scott Ash
- With Scottie DeArmond and Andrew Catron. Thanks for the Firemans Chore Coats Scottie!
- With Therese Elverum
- With Matthew Schimmel
- With Kevin Thompson and Matthew Schimmel
- With the Fire Cam crew – Jami Schield, Rob Schield, and Cris Burch
- With Liz Grebe and crew
- With David W. Wuis, David R. Wuis, and Mike McMann