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Indianapolis Firefighters formed the Saint Florian Center, named after the patron saint of firefighters, in 1992. We became incorporated in 1993 as a not-for-profit youth leadership development organization. The majority of our clients are minority that reside within the "old city limits". The summer camp (for ages 10-13) was our only program the first two years. The demand for quality programming for multiple ages helped us to add a junior cadet program (for ages 6-9), and a business program for high school students. We introduced the Saturday Academy after the community evaluated our mission and philosophy, and asked us to share the program throughout Indianapolis. It soon became the building blocks for our After-School programs. Today, the vision of building leaders of all races, ages, and beliefs has taken the Saint Florian Center to youth throughout the state of Indiana and around the United States. Firefighters from other states have witnessed the positive SFC impact in the community, and has modified the program to meet the needs of their youth. There is no greater compliment than duplication.
The Story of Saint Florian (Patron Saint of Firefighters)
Saint Florian was born about 250 AD in Austria. He joined the Roman Army as a youth, and through hard work and determination...he advanced through the ranks. The Emperor Diocletian and his assistant Maximian liked Florian because of his abilities to solve problems and work with people. They saw Florian as a man capable of handling heavy responsibilities.
It was for these reasons that the Emperor was shocked to learn that Florian was not following his orders to punish all Christians in his area. This punishment included burning Christian churches and books, firing all Christians from their jobs, putting them in prison without good reason, and finally forcing them to sacrifice to the Roman gods.
The Emperor sent his assistant Aquilius to ask Florian why he was not following orders to persecute the Christians to which Florian replied, "I am a Christian and will suffer the same fate as the Christians". Aquilius then offered him a raise and a promotion if he would change his mind. Florian refused.
Aquilius was outraged and had his soldiers beat him with whips, yet Florian stood steadfast. His courage scared Aquilius who feared that Florian would lead others to rebel. He ordered his soldiers to burn Florian. Florian just smiled and said, "If you burn me...I will climb to heaven in flames". Not willing to take the chance, Aqulius tied a giant stone around Florian's neck and drowned him in the Enns river.
Because of his stand and resistance to death by fire...Saint Florian became the protector of firefighters all over the world.
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History 
