Banich honors family and community
For Brownsburg resident Brian Banich, serving as a fireman is an opportunity to honor his family while providing assistance to the community. Banich has aspired to serve all his life, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Tom Jordan, who retired from the Indianapolis Fire Department in 1976. Banich works at IFD Station 20. He and wife Juli are raising three boys ages 2-11 and are active within the Brownsburg community.
What is a typical day in your station?
My apparatus is one of the busiest on the IFD. 4500 runs per year which averages 10-15 per shift. Most of the shifts we do 2-5 runs overnight.
What inspired you to become a firefighter?
Family tradition. My grandfather was a fireman, and my cousin is currently one. I like being helpful to the community and it just comes natural to me to want to help.
Do you have a favorite moment on the job?
Winning IFD Rookie of the year for 2010. I appreciated the nomination and being recognized for my work. Another moment is when I received a unit commendation for responding to a fire last August. This run was dispatched as a fire with children trapped inside. My apparatus was the first on-scene. Upon our arrival, a neighbor was outside saying there was someone trapped inside the building; it was a 74-year-old woman. With the help of the Speedway Fire Department, we got her out alive.
What are the most challenging aspects of being a fireman?
Maintaining a healthy balance between the job and being a husband and father.
What are your future goals?
To be there for my family and help my kids get through college. I want a positive and prosperous career, and maybe become an engineer at the end of it. I also want to remain healthy so I can enjoy retirement with my wife and family.
