|
|
Farewell, RCA Dome! The Fire Department Instructors Conference celebrated its 80th anniversary this year, and its 14th year being in Indianapolis, IN. It was a bit historic as this would be the last event ever to be held in the RCA Dome, which is being replaced by the brand new Lucas Oil Stadium and is slated for demolition in spring 2008. How they would dismantle the massive dome was the topic of many conversations during the week - some felt they should have let the 30,000 firefighters attending FDIC have their hand at it! It took two years to build the dome, and they anticipate that it will take 5 months to bring it down. |
| Once the dome is demolished, the convention center will be expanded and ultimately connected to the new stadium. Lucas Oil Stadium has been under construction for a couple years and is scheduled to open in August 2008. FDIC will start having some exhibits there in 2009, and will celebrate its first year in the expanded convention center / stadium space in 2011. |
|
On Monday I attended two 4-hour hands-on-training (H.O.T.) evolutions - both Engine Company Operations - and on Tuesday I attended an 8-hour H.O.T. evolution, Torch Operations for the Fire Service. Wednesday through Friday were spent attending a variety of lectures and wandering through the vast exhibits.
Click the links below to read more and view photos.
Engine Co. Ops: Hose Loads
Engine Co. Ops: Suppression
5/16/08
Torch Operations for the Fire Service5/18/08
Exhibits and Miscellaneous Photos5/22/08