Darren Forman, a long-time firefighter and community paramedic with the Crawfordsville Fire Department is currently being treated at an Indianapolis hospital, the Crawfordsville Fire Department announced Wednesday.
Forman, 52, was seriously injured in an accident Tuesday evening on private property in Coal Creek Township, Montgomery County. He was airlifted by StatFlight to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Forman was off duty at the time. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office investigated the accident, however no other information is being released.
“Darren is a valued member of the department,” said Fire Chief Scott Busenbark. “We’re heartbroken and would appreciate the support of the community during this time.”
Forman will celebrate 20 years with CFD in August. He currently serves as Montgomery County Coroner and has been in that role or deputy coroner for much of the last 20 years. In January, Forman took over as Chief of Coal Creek Volunteer Fire.
Since it began in April 2018, Forman has led CFD’s Project Swaddle as part of the department’s Community Paramedicine program. Project Swaddle assists expecting mothers during high-risk pregnancies.
“Darren has been vital to the success of Project Swaddle,” said Paul Miller, Division Chief of EMS who oversees the Community Paramedicine program. “We are temporarily transitioning his duties to another firefighter with the assistance of Early Intervention Specialist Rachel Kenner. We are currently contacting the patients that Darren has been working with to provide more specific details.”
Forman was awarded Paramedic Hero of the Year in May of 2019 from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Indiana Fire Chief’s Association. He received the Child Safety Advocate Award in June 2019 from the Indiana University School of Medicine Automotive Safety Program. In 2016, he was recognized by the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau for Excellence in Service.
“Darren is known for giving to others through the various roles in which he serves, and he touches many lives in a profoundly positive way,” said Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton. “He works tirelessly on behalf of others and I am certain he will bring the same fight and passion into recovering from this setback.”
Forman also serves on the Crawfordsville Fire Department Honor Guard. He was past president of Crawfordsville Professional Firefighters Local 4143 and was a long-time volunteer with Madison Township Volunteer Fire. He is owner of Forman Blasters Pyrotechnics LLC, which provides fireworks each Fourth of July to communities including the City of Crawfordsville, Town of Waynetown and Lake Holiday.
A fundraiser is currently being organized by Waynetown Volunteer Fire, Coal Creek Volunteer Fire and HIM Hogs in Ministry. Further details will be provided at a later date.
